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Home » Recipes » Beverages

Published: Apr 30, 2019 · Modified: May 11, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Strawberry Mint Julep

Jump to Recipe

Whether you’re celebrating Derby Day or simply looking for a refreshing cocktail, this strawberry mint julep is perfect for the occasion. Made with fresh strawberries and mint leaves, this mint julep has just the right sweetness to balance the bourbon for your perfect patio cocktail.

A strawberry mint julep with strawberries in the background.
Jump to:
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Thirsty for More Bourbon Cocktails?
  • 📖 Recipe

You know what’s funny? I didn’t used to like bourbon cocktails. Given my various bourbon recipes, like the popular orange-vanilla bean-infused bourbon or my cherry bourbon smash, you probably wouldn’t have guessed it, but it’s true.

Bourbon used to make my face contort. We were not friends. And then it started to change when I tried Bourbon County Brand Stout and instantly fell in love. From there, I started trying other bourbon barrel-aged beers. The style quickly became my favorite, and I thought I had finally developed a taste for bourbon.

Once Derby Day came around, I thought I'd give a mint julep a try. Nope, still not my thing. But I kept drinking my bourbon barrel-aged beers. For whatever reason, I still loved those, but bourbon cocktails weren't doing it for me. But I kept trying. A couple years later, I ordered a blueberry bourbon smash at this great cocktail bar in Denver. In that moment, my love for bourbon cocktails was born, and I never looked back.

If you’re like my former self and find bourbon too strong, adding a little fruit goes a long way in making a smoother drink. That's exactly what the strawberries do in this strawberry mint julep.

Of course, using a high-quality bourbon also helps. I have to wonder if I was just trying terrible bourbon in my younger and dumber years, but regardless, a little fruit still smooths out bourbon with its extra sweetness.

Bonus: And for more Derby cocktail ideas, make sure you try my peach julep and sweet tea julep!

Looking into a glass of strawberry mint julep with a muddler in the background.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Rather than making a mint julep in a cocktail shaker, it’s generally made in the serving cup. A silver high ball cup is traditional, but an old fashioned glass also works fine. Just be cautious when muddling in a glass. That said, if the glass is delicate, you can always muddle in a cocktail shaker and then pour the muddled concoction into the glass to finish.

We start by muddling together a strawberry, simple syrup and lots of fresh mint leaves. This turns the strawberry into almost a chunky syrup, so we want to really work the strawberry to break it down.

Now we add the bourbon along with a little crushed ice and quickly stir to chill the mixture. From here, we add another scoop of crushed ice and shape the top of the ice into a mound.

Crushed ice is important here. Not only does it chill the strawberry mint julep better but the ice melts and mixes with the cocktail for an extra refreshing sipper. Unlike your old-fashioned, we want some melting action. And, yes, it’s a lot of ice, but that’s how your traditional mint julep is served.

To garnish our strawberry mint julep, we put a bundle of fresh mint into the palm of one hand and then clap our other hand on top of the mint. This releases the oils and gives you the most fragrant garnish.

With all the ice, some prefer to drink this fruity mint julep with a paper or metal straw, but you can also sip without one. Your call. Now sit back and enjoy.

A glass of strawberry mint julep with another glass in the background.

Perfect Pairing

Given that this is a perfect spring and summer cocktail, I like pairing this strawberry mint julep with something light and grilled. Try grilled shrimp kabobs with a green goddess dipping sauce. The caramelization on the shrimp from the grill nicely matches the bourbon, and the mint melds perfectly with the medley of herbs in the green goddess sauce.

Whether you need a cocktail to celebrate Derby Day or just enjoy patio weather with a fun seasonal sipper, I hope you try this strawberry mint julep.

Cheers!

An aerial view of one strawberry mint julep.
A closeup of the strawberry mint julep.

Thirsty for More Bourbon Cocktails?

  • Bourbon cherry limeade 
  • Gingered bourbon-apple cider cocktail
  • Cherry-infused bourbon
  • Blueberry bourbon smash

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

The strawberry mint julep on a pink clothe with a cup full of strawberries in the background.

Strawberry Mint Julep

Whether you’re celebrating Derby Day or simply looking for a refreshing cocktail, this strawberry mint julep is perfect for the occasion. Made with fresh strawberries and mint leaves, this mint julep has just the right sweetness to balance the bourbon for your perfect patio cocktail.
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 224kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Ingredients

  • 8-10 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 strawberry halved, top removed
  • 1 ounce simple syrup homemade or store-bought (see note)
  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • Crushed ice
  • 1-2 mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  • In a high ball or old fashioned glass, muddle the mint leaves, strawberry and simple syrup until the strawberry is well mashed.
  • Pour in bourbon. Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice and stir to chill. Add more crushed ice and form a mound on the top of the glass like a snow cone.
  • Place the mint leaves for garnish in one palm. Clap your other palm on top of the mint leaves to release their oils and fragrance. Stick the sprigs into the mound of ice. If desired, serve with a straw. Enjoy!

Notes

  • To make the simple syrup, simmer the 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to dissolve the sugar. As soon as the sugar dissolves, remove from heat. Allow to cool and store chilled.
  • If you prefer a less sweet mint julep, you may want to use only ½ ounce of simple syrup.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Sodium: 5mg | Sugar: 20g
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BurrataandBubbles or tag #burratandbubbles!

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Nicoletta says

    May 06, 2019 at 12:26 pm

    5 stars
    Strawberry mint is such a great combo, plus, this cocktail look so beautiful! Great for the upcoming other's Day celebration!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 06, 2019 at 5:56 pm

      Thanks so much, Nicoletta!

      Reply
  2. Ana @ Muy Delish says

    May 06, 2019 at 5:49 am

    5 stars
    I have tons of mint in the garden and now I know what to make with it! I love the combination of flavors. Can't wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 06, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      Sounds like a good way to put that mint to use!

      Reply
  3. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

    May 06, 2019 at 2:33 am

    5 stars
    I know nothing about making drinks. Actually, probably less than nothing. I love how you break this down to make it easy for people like me 🙂

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 06, 2019 at 1:45 pm

      I bet you'll find it easier than you think! I hope you give it a try and let me know if you have any questions. ?

      Reply
  4. Analida Braeger says

    May 06, 2019 at 1:32 am

    5 stars
    Juleps are one of my favorites! This cocktail looks like summer parties and evenings out . I will have to try the strawberry addition !

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 06, 2019 at 5:55 pm

      I hope you love it!

      Reply
  5. Lorie says

    May 06, 2019 at 12:42 am

    5 stars
    I know what is gonna be our new favorite summer cocktail! The hardest part for my hubby will be which bourbon to use! ?

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 06, 2019 at 5:55 pm

      Sounds like a good excuse to make a few rounds!

      Reply
  6. Jacquelyn says

    May 05, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to be sipping on one of these on my back patio this summer. Fresh mint and strawberry make a great combo.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 06, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      They most certainly do! I'm sure you'll love this cocktail.

      Reply
  7. Natalie says

    May 05, 2019 at 7:28 am

    5 stars
    This sounds perfect for summer. So refreshing and sweet. I love the addition of bourbon. It's beautifully decorated too. I can't wait to make this!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 05, 2019 at 7:08 pm

      Thanks, Natalie! Hope you love it.

      Reply
  8. Sharon says

    May 05, 2019 at 1:43 am

    5 stars
    I've had Mint Juleps before and loved them but I think the addition of strawberries would make them even better! Fresh fruit just makes everything taste so much better.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 05, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      Totally agree! I think you'll love this variation.

      Reply
  9. Kelly Anthony says

    May 04, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    5 stars
    We are celebrating Derby Day today and this sounds like my kind mint julep! Especially since the event falls in prime time berry season! They're perfect for mashing and AWESOME with mint!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 05, 2019 at 7:06 pm

      I just love the strawberry addition -- hope you got to try it!

      Reply
  10. Jacquelyn Hastert says

    May 01, 2019 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    I see me sipping on these in my near future! They would make a great drink on my back patio this summer.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 02, 2019 at 1:09 am

      Totally! Great summer sipper.

      Reply
  11. Deseree says

    May 01, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    Wishing I had a glass of this in hand right now. I am going to be making these this weekend and I cannot wait!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 02, 2019 at 1:05 am

      Sweet! Good way to celebrate Derby Day. Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  12. Eva says

    May 01, 2019 at 11:43 am

    5 stars
    I love how you described your honest attempts at liking bourbon. Looks like your patience paid off eventually 😀 And speaking of bourbon barrel-aged beer, that stout you mention sounds delish. Never had a chance to try such an interesting beer, but I like the idea of it. Must taste wonderful. I wonder if I'd be able to find anything like that in Europe...

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 01, 2019 at 2:09 pm

      It finally did! I find it so interesting how our palates evolve, so I'm always willing to keep trying. Mikkeller might be a good option for Europe as far as bourbon barrel-aged stouts. The founder is Danish, and he distributes all over the world. He brews some delicious imperial stouts, and I've seen some varieties that were barrel aged. Hope you can track it down!

      Reply
  13. Heather says

    May 01, 2019 at 12:10 am

    5 stars
    I've gotten adventurous lately and been trying some bourbon cocktails - a mint julep hasn't been my thing but I'm thinking what has been missing is strawberries! Yes...can't wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      May 06, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      I hope you like the strawberry addition! I think it adds a nice touch.

      Reply

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A headshot of Amanda, the owner of Burrata and Bubbles, holding a beer.

Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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