Blueberry Mint Juleps.
At the risk of jumping the gun, I have to tell you about these.
Every year as we approach May, I am tormented with choosing between two of my favorite adult beverages: margaritas and bourbon, well… anything. Why choose?
Let’s just have both. That’s what I say.
Though whoever thought it was a good idea to have the Kentucky Derby near Cinco de Mayo weekend clearly did not have a few nights in college where they combined tequila and bourbon. Â
Or did they?
Oh first weekend in May, how I freaking love you. (Says the girl still hoarding cadbury mini eggs.)
It wasn’t always my thing, but if you’ve been reading along then you know that my husband has a major thing for the Kentucky Derby and horse races. And if you haven’t been reading along, then… my husband has a major thing for the Kentucky Derby and horse races. Now you know.
I’m pretty sure I recount my first mint julep experience every year around this time, how it was so strong that it stung my nose and my eyes but also was insanely delicious. And nearly knocked me out after a few sips. Are you allowed to put fruit in those things? Probably not. I most likely just committed a massive cocktail sin, but it should come as no surprise.
There is a secret to this drink: it’s the crushed ice. You have to try it with the crushed iced. It has forever changed my stance on juleps. And I don’t have a fancy fridge that crushes it’s own ice… I simply threw cubes in the blender. I also don’t have a fancy blender like a Vitamix (would rather buy shoes, always), but I do have a slightly high-powdered Ninja blender from Target that did the trick. I fear that I’ve started to look at mint juleps as mojitos: the flavors are endless. Yeah yeah, I know the true, plain mint julep just has the bourbon and the mint and the syrup (omgsogood) but what if… it had blueberries too?
I can’t even stand how delicious this was. I actually made it weeks ago then feared it was far too early to start talking about pretty horses and giant hats (mine would obviously be neon). It made for an excellent Monday cocktail, however.
And now it’s going to make for an excellent Friday cocktail. You in?
Blueberry Mint Juleps
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce mint simple syrup
- 1 ounce mint blueberry puree
- crushed ice
- fresh mint leaves
mint simple syrup
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 bunch of mint leaves
blueberry mint puree
- 2/3 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons mint simple syrup
Instructions
- Combine bourbon, mint simple syrup and mint blueberry puree together and shake or stir well. Pour over crushed iced and serve with extra mint leaves.
mint simple syrup
- Combine sugar, mint and water together in a small saucepan and heat over high heat until boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook for another minute or so, then set aside to cool completely. Remove mint before using. You can do this ahead of time and store it in the fridge!
blueberry mint puree
- In a mini food processor or blender, combine blueberries and mint simple syrup until pureed.
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
Now the real question is… can I wait ’til noon?
110 Comments on “Blueberry Mint Juleps.”
Great minds think alike! Just posted a classic mint julep but this blows it away! Can’t wait for my blueberry bushes to come in so I can make these!
your pureeing them and mixing with Bourbon, why wait? Go get a bag of frozen ones!
Wow…. If this was in fromt of me right now, I would care that it is 7:30am … I would drink it !
That looks so good. I’d rather nurse that than just about any other drink! Those blueberries! Mmm, so good!
YUM!!! What a great start to the weekend! This is such a creative recipe, I just love it!!!
No need to wait till noon. It’s 5:00pm somewhere!
Honestly, I am not much of a drinker, but this drink looks beautiful! I LOVE the colors and blueberries are my favorite!
i think i’d like to drink my way through your blog. your cocktails always look amazing.
I’m not really a mint julep person, but the fact that this is so pretty and reminds me of my favorite blueberry mojito has me wanting to try it!
Haha I’m actually going to a Derby/Cinco de Mayo party- best of both boozy worlds!
One of my favorite restaurants in Dallas has this exact drink on their cocktail menu! It’s INSANE!
ahhhh the trials and tribulations of cinco de mayo vs the derby. I have been wanting to go to the derby with my cousins, who live there, for yearssssss. But i always have a big Cinco De Mayo party at my house and people get upset if i dont have it.
LIke really, one year I ran in the Pittsburgh marathon instead of having the party and people were depressed.
Anyways, can’t wait to try this – it looks delicious! And i loveeeeeeeee crushed ice. Why does it make everything so much better? Even Diet Coke from the fountain from get go. yup.
I say we institute ‘whiskey fridays’ and always post cocktails!
I’m a Cinco de Mayo baby- so I always LOVE the first weekend in May! I tend to lean more towards margaritas (doesn’t help my name is also Margaret…)- but this drink sounds SO GOOD!
I had a Mint Julep once. In Kentucky. A week before the Kentucky Derby. It was awful. Don’t know if I can try it again but I would carry this around as an accessory. The color is amazing!
Those look delicious! As a southerner who never really loved mint juleps (don’t tell, they’ll kick me out) – those sound like something I’d be willing to try.
This looks fantastic. I have a similar recipe on my site for a blueberry mojito – the recipe from the Four Seasons Maui, which is also delish. I like how your recipe uses homemade simple syrup so you don’t have to go out and buy a special syrup. Have a great weekend!
I am no cocktail expert, but these look great!! Love the color.
This drink… I’m SO in!
Born and raised in Louisville, its still my hometown. And as our city starts to prep for the Derby, mint juleps are served just about everywhere. I’ve tried them countless times, as they’re made differently depending on the bartender. But I have never seemed to acquire a taste. Even when ordered from the bar at Churchill Downs! Your addition of berries definitely intrigues me, and I’m going to give the julep another whirl. Thanks so much for the idea!
this ice makes all the difference. i learned how to make mint juleps from a Catholic priest who has the best recipe of all time. and i can never go back to the subpar recipes.
My question for myself is how did I go through college without having this! I can’t wait to remedy the situation now :)
Eeep! These look SO GOOD! I am not a huuuge bourbon fan, but I think I might have to try these.
What I wouldn’t give to see you in a neon hat! My neighbors in Charlotte were from New Orleans and they introduced me to the mint julep. Oh heavens, so good, so strong. This drink is gorgeous and sounds perfect.
Mmm what a treat!!
No question, I’m in and ready for a lunchtime julep!
Now that is a Friday drink if I have ever seen one. Beautiful and I am sure tastes great.
Yum! and they’re helping because it has blueberries! hehe
Sooooooo I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve never had a mint julep before. And I’m kinda kicking myself now…and then promptly heading to the liquor store ;)
I feel like mixing one up for breakfast :) But I guess I will wait at least until 4- I mean it’s Friday…
Those look great, and now I have a craving for mojitos :)
Some Snapshots Blog
Jess
Oh what a great combination- blueberry + mint! PS- I love reading about y’all’s obsession the Kentucky Derby every year! : )
Super excited about making these! Looks refreshing and delicious and not to mention…beautiful! Amazing photos, as always.
What a gorgeous looking drink!!! =)
Sometime last year, I started mashing mint leaves and blueberries and pouring them into some 7up. Then I had the genius idea to add bourbon. Yours looks better. I shall give it a whirl!
Oh man, blueberries and mint…I officially can’t wait for summer now. :) These look fantastic!
This looks soooo good!!!
If it wasn’t already noon here I would say: “NO! DON’T WAIT! THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND AND GET BLUEBERRY WASTED!”
But it is, so drink up!
(also, can you send me one? kthanksbye)
Is there a teetotaller (sp?) way to make this delicious and beautiful drink? It looks fabulous–but no alcohol here! Thanks!!
what if you use ginger ale? I think that would be great!
OMG I am so in. This looks like heaven in a glass! Can’t wait to make them!
Thanks for this! I have some bourbon in the fridge I didn’t know what to do with and this sounds amazing!!
This looks so delicious.. and we can justify it by saying blueberry is so good for you + antioxidants. Gorgeous photos.
Be still my heart. These will be a necessity during our sticky hot Texas summers! A necessity indeed.
This looks so amazing! Normally I’m totally a margarita girl, but I”m trying to branch out a bit lately. Unfortunately blueberries are few and far between in Taiwan :-(
Oh, I’m in.
This drink looks perfect :) I love mint juleps, but it looks even better with blueberry!
I’ve never even had a mint julep…can I please just come over for the kentucky derby and you make it for me? I’m sort of scared of bourbon. Reminds me of something only a large white rich man (my father in law) would drink.
Man they need to make Mint Juleps at the Del Mar track! I’ve never had one but we live a mile from there! These look amazing and I’ll be making them this weekend! Yum!
These look so refreshing and beautiful! Hmmm…it’s Saturday night…I think I need to make one right now!
When I was of elementary school age and it was back-to-school time, all the Moms in the neighborhood would get together for coffee and cake – a little celebration, if you will. Well, my neighbor and I celebrate with mint juleps when the kids go back :-) No coffee or cake for us…just alcohol! Adding the blueberries will be an extra special treat next time the kids return to school… no doubt about it!
Hey, It’s 5 O’clock somewhere in the world, why wait?!!!