The Strawberry Mint Julep is the Mint Julep’s pretty younger sister, and it’s what I make when I want to feel like I’m at a garden party in Kentucky. This Strawberry Mint Julep recipe muddles strawberries with mint and bourbon over crushed ice.
It’s sweet, minty and fruity, and it’s exactly the drink for a sunny afternoon and a very big hat.
1
serving5
minutesBourbon, muddled strawberries, mint and sugar, served over crushed ice. Fruity, minty and cooling.
Ingredients
60 ml (2 oz) bourbon
3 ripe strawberries, hulled
8 mint leaves
10 ml (⅓ oz) simple syrup
Crushed ice
Mint sprig and strawberry, to garnish
Method
- Gently muddle the strawberries, mint and syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.
- Add the bourbon and fill with crushed ice.
- Stir until the outside of the glass frosts.
- Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig and a strawberry.
Thomas’s tip
- Slap the mint sprig against your hand before garnishing, and put it right by the straw so you smell it as you sip.
What does a Strawberry Mint Julep taste like?
Cool mint and ripe strawberry up front, with bourbon vanilla and caramel behind. It’s sweet, fragrant and ice-cold, with a gentle burn.
Tips for a better Strawberry Mint Julep
Use plenty of crushed ice. A julep is a cold drink.
Use a metal cup if you have one. It frosts nicely.
Strawberry Mint Julep variations
Use rye for a spicier drink. Swap strawberries for raspberries. For the classic, make a Mint Julep, or for another fruity version try Peach Mint Julep.
Best whisky for a Strawberry Mint Julep
A bourbon with some strength works best, because crushed ice dilutes quickly. Look for 45% or above.
Strawberry Mint Julep: quick answers
What is a Strawberry Mint Julep?
A Mint Julep with muddled strawberries added, served over crushed ice.
Do I need a julep cup?
No. A rocks glass works well.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, but fresh ones taste better.
Slap the mint sprig against your hand before garnishing, and put it right by the straw so you smell it as you sip.
Thomas Grønvold is the founder of Caskable and a whisky enthusiast who believes the best way to learn about whisky is simply to drink it, compare it, and stay curious. From supermarket favourites to bottles from distilleries around the world, he writes about what he actually tastes and experiences, without pretending you need to be an expert to enjoy a good dram.
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