This blueberry lavender mint julep is the perfect fruity and elevated mint julep! Blueberry, lavender, and mint are such good fruity, floral, and herby combination, and when mixed with bourbon and crushed ice, they make the most refreshing spring cocktail!
This is the perfect elevated mint julep to celebrate Kentucky Derby season!
Mint juleps are a hallmark of spring and summer here in Kentucky; just check out my the best mint julep recipe and strawberry mint julep.
Mint juleps are delicious because they're so full of fresh mint flavor and covered in refreshing crushed ice. For an easy big batch to serve a crowd, you can make a simple blueberry lavender syrup instead of blending the fruit for each drink. Just add 2 cups of blueberries, 3 tablespoons of culinary lavender, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of water and cook until all the sugar has dissolved.
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🫐 Key Ingredients:
Bourbon: Mint juleps are almost always made with bourbon. But you could substitute for rye or even brandy!
🥃 What bourbon works best for this cocktail?
A floral bourbon works best with the floral notes in the tea and lavender, making Four Roses Small Batch great for this cocktail!
Blueberries: fresh blueberries are key; I wouldn't use frozen because they would turn more into a slush instead of a puree when blended.
Lavender syrup: I purchased my lavender syrup on Amazon, but you could also make your own with edible-grade lavender.
Fresh mint: This recipe requires a lot of mint. Some mint leaves are blended with the blueberries and lavender and several sprigs of whole mint are added to the glass for more flavor and as a garnish.
Crushed ice: Crushed ice is key to a good mint julep. I've found the best method for making crushed ice at home is to blend it in a food processor. A blender makes ice to fine and more like shaved ice, but it comes out perfect in the processor!
See recipe card for quantities.
🫗 How to make this recipe:
Step 1: Add ½ cup fresh blueberries, 1-ounce lavender syrup, and mint leaves from 1 sprig to a small blender. Blend until smooth.
Step 2: Add crushed ice to a glass.
Step 3: Top with the blended blueberry mixture and bourbon. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Top with more crushed ice until a nice dome is achieved. Garnish with a mint sprig.
💭 Expert tips:
Suggested Barware: Use a jigger to measure your bourbon, syrup, and tea accurately. Also, using a cocktail stirrer is beneficial because it fits so well around the ice.
Ice: Use a large ice cube because it melts slower and is less likely to dilute the drink.
Make your own syrup: making your own simple is so easy and cost-effective. Just cook 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 2-3 tablespoons food-grade lavender until all the sugar has melted, then let cool and strain.
To get perfect crushed ice at home blend ice in a food processor. A blender makes ice too fine and more like shaved ice, but it comes out perfect in the processor!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Blueberry Lavender Mint Julep
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: cocktail
- Method: stirred
- Cuisine: american
Description
This blueberry lavender mint julep is the perfect fruity and elevated mint julep! Blueberry, lavender, and mint are such a good fruity, floral, and herby combination and when mixed with bourbon and crushed ice - they make the most refreshing spring cocktail!
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- 1 ounce lavender syrup
- 2 large mint sprigs
- 2 ounces bourbon
Instructions
- Add ½ cup fresh blueberries, 1-ounce lavender syrup, and mint leaves from 1 sprig in a small blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add crushed ice to a glass.
- Top with the blended blueberry mixture and bourbon. Stir to combine.
- Top with more crushed ice until a nice dome is achieved.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
Notes
To get perfect crushed ice at home blend ice in a food processor. A blender makes ice too fine and more like shaved ice, but it comes out perfect in the processor!
elizabeth says
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