Let’s play a game.

fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

I’ll go first.

Never have I ever wanted to sip on a mint julep more than this watermelon one. Right now.

Your turn!

fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

I’ve made a bunch of similar mint juleps over the years – in a wide variety of flavors – my least favorite being pineapple but that’s probably because I was secretly pregnant at the time and couldn’t tell anyone or drink the entire thing. With how I feel about pineapple these days, I’d be all over that julep.

Blueberry was probably my fave… up until now. Watermelon anything ranks high on my list and do you want to know something embarrassing? I like watermelon flavors so much that I actually even enjoy the fake watermelon flavors sometimes.

I KNOW.

I’m the worst.

fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

I can distinctly tell a difference when it’s artificial watermelon versus fresh watermelon, but that doesn’t mean I’ll always pass up a piece of watermelon gum (not even kidding) or some tropical drink made with so-sweet-your-teeth-hurt watermelon liqueur.

No discrimination from the watermelon gallery over here.

fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

OH! Except. From Max.

Not, I’m not giving him mint juleps. But yes, I was giving him watermelon, because he loved it so much last summer. The past two days though, he wouldn’t even touch it and acted like it was covered in fleas or something. He looked at me like I was legitimately insane for even putting it on his plate. Maybe it was because it happened right after he licked all of the almond butter off of apple slices and found a box of graham crackers (again, yes this has happened twice) because he now sneaks into the pantry like he is 13 years old.

It’s great.

But the watermelon? He preferred squeezing it as hard as he good and drenching himself in juice.

fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

In weirder mint julep news, last year I made this julep soaked fruit and topped it with… wait for it… fluffy whipped marshmallow. You can’t drink it over ice but you sure can eat it. Best of both worlds. 

fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

Here’s another thing! If you have someone that is completely turned off by the idea of mint juleps (cough cough, Eddie, cough), serve them a watermelon one. Or a blueberry one. Eddie has loathed bourbon of any kind for as long as I’ve known him. He tried a mint julep when he was at the kentucky derby, but couldn’t even take one for the team and tossed it immediately. Even I was freaked the first time I tried this cocktail because it

is

a

lot

of

BOURBON.

It’s strong. If you’re weird about herby mint, it’s, like, doubly strong.

But add a little fresh fruit and syrup and you might be sold.

I’m obviously sold… because it’s PINK. Like I need another reason?!

fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

Fresh Watermelon Mint Juleps

5 from 2 votes
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Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • ounces fresh watermelon juice
  • 1 ounce mint simple syrup
  • 1 ounce club soda
  • crushed ice
  • fresh mint leaves
  • watermelon wedges for serving
  • fresh watermelon juice

fresh watermelon juice

  • 2 cups fresh watermelon chunks

mint simple syrup

Instructions 

  • Combine bourbon, watermelon juice and mint simple syrup together and shake or stir well. Pour over crushed iced, top with club soda and serve with extra mint leaves. Garnish with watermelon triangles

fresh watermelon juice

  • Add the watermelon to a high-powered blender and puree until smooth. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup to remove any of the pulp.

mint simple syrup

  • Combine sugar, mint and water together in a small saucepan and heat over high heat until simmering, 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.
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fresh watermelon mint juleps I howsweeteats.com

[sidenote, “never have I ever” is such a horrible game. I had a terrible experience with it in high school and am scarred for life. need more mint juleps to get over it.]