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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails

    Published: Apr 18, 2023 by Pate Giltner 1 Comment

    Strawberry Mint Julep

    5 shares
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Are you looking to diversify your Kentucky Derby or spring cocktail game? Try this Strawberry Mint Julep! This Strawberry mint cocktail is full of fresh strawberries, fresh mint, and a splash of bourbon! 

    Sip on this delightful drink and enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess that comes with the blend of strawberries and refreshing mint.

    Strawberry mint julep in a clear textured glass with a dome of crushed ice and garnished with mint and a single strawberry.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    This drink is the perfect companion to the traditional mint julep, like this the best mint julep recipe, and is the perfect addition to any Kentucky Derby party! 

    This sweet and minty cocktail is the perfect blend of sweet and refreshing flavors that combine to create a smooth and delicious drink. The strawberry and mint simple syrup gives the drink a fruity sweetness, and the mint brings a refreshing and cooling sensation that leaves the tongue tingling. The combination of bourbon and strawberries makes for a unique and satisfying flavor that can make anyone fall in love with this cocktail.

    Strawberries, mint, and a handle of Woodford Reserve bourbon on a pink and green serving platter.

    Key Ingredients: 

    Bourbon: This is a bourbon-based cocktail, and the bourbon flavor really shines through, so using a top-shelf, high-quality bourbon is key to a delicious-tasting drink. Woodford Reserve is our go-to bourbon for cocktails because it has an even flavor and mixes well with several flavors. 

    Fresh Mint: This recipe calls for a lot of mint! Some mint leaves are added to the simple syrup, and then several sprigs of whole mint are added to the glass as a garnish. 

    Strawberries and Mint Simple Syrup: This simple syrup is super easy to make. Simply mix the water, sugar, strawberries, and mint in a small saucepan, and heat until all the sugar has dissolved, and the strawberries are soft. 

    Crushed Ice: You can technically use any type of ice you want, but if you want an authentic Kentucky Derby-style cocktail, use crushed ice.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to make this recipe: 

    Fresh mint, cut strawberries, sugar, and water in a white saucepan.

    Start by adding the sugar, water, cut strawberries, and mint leaves to a small saucepan. Cook on medium until the strawberries are soft, and the sugar has dissolved

    Crushed ice sitting in a clear glass.

    Add crushed ice to a glass.

    Bourbon and syrup in the glass with a the crushed ice.

    Top with the bourbon and cooled syrup. Add more crushed ice to form a dome.

    The drink has been topped off with enough crushed ice to form a dome on top.

    Garnish with mint and strawberry.

    Top tips

    • Try and make your simple syrup ahead of time so it has time to thoroughly cool. You can make it a week ahead and store it in the fridge.
    • Make crushed ice by adding ice to a large zip lock bag and crushing it with a rolling pin or another sturdy kitchen tool.

    FAQ

    What is the best bourbon for a mint julep?

    You can use any bourbon you like! However, I suggest premium bourbon, and here are a few of my favorites for cocktails.
    Woodford Reserve 
    Four Roses Small Batch 
    Knob Creek 

    The finished cocktail on a platter surrounded by crushed ice and strawberries.

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    Print
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    Strawberry mint julep in a clear textured glass with a dome of crushed ice and garnished with mint and a single strawberry.

    Strawberry Mint Julep

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Pate Giltner
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktail
    • Method: stirred
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

     This Strawberry mint cocktail is full of fresh strawberries, fresh mint, and a splash of bourbon! 


    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Simple syrup:

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 cups sliced strawberries
    • 1 large bunch mint

    Cocktail:

    • 2 ounces bourbon
    • 1.5 ounces strawberry mint simple syrup
    • Mint sprig
    • crushed ice
    • Strawberry

    Instructions

    1. Start by adding the sugar, water, cut strawberries, and mint leaves to a small saucepan. Cook on medium until the strawberries are soft, and the sugar has dissolved. 
    2. Add crushed ice to a glass. 
    3. Top with the bourbon and cooled syrup. Stir.
    4. Add more crushed ice to form a dome. 
    5. Garnish with mint and strawberry.

    Notes

    • Make crushed ice by adding ice to a large zip lock bag and crushing it with a rolling pin or another sturdy kitchen tool.
    • The simple syrup makes enough for 4-5 cocktails

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @thegandmkitchen — I can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      May 06, 2023 at 10:36 pm

      .

      ★★★★★

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    Pate Giltner holding a cupcake
    Pate Giltner holding a cupcake

    About Pate

    Hi, I'm Pate, and welcome to The G&M Kitchen!

    The G&M Kitchen is a recipe blog that specializes in southern baked goods. Here you will find classics like buttermilk and honey biscuits and beautiful show stoppers like strawberry basil cupcakes. While all recipes are inspired by traditional southern classics, they all have a twist or adjustment that elevates them and brings them into the modern age.

    Learn more about me →

    As featured in: thefeedfeed, Sur La Table, Bake From Scratch, Foodtography School, The Bourbon Review, Bringing it Home

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