Blackberry Mint Julep Recipe
The blackberry mint julep is the southern drink that can be enjoyed with fresh ingredients for several months. I do confess to using frozen blackberries, as our season is right around the corner, but I did pick that mint out of a pot on my deck.
A word on fresh mint. It takes over the garden. It’s just that hearty, so do contain it to a pot, if you know what’s good for you. We learned that the hard way. But, do plant some because mint can be added to all kinds of dishes and other cocktails.
The mint julep is a classic with a remarkable history. Over 120,000 mint juleps are served at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby and probably many more than that at the home parties. This one drink gets so much attention concentrated on a short few hours. They won’t be served with blackberries and will be more traditional, but we like to play around.
I have a thing for all kinds of berries and I like them in savory foods as well as cocktails. There was the blueberry old fashioned and the strawberry martini. I’ve made many different cocktails with either blue or blackberries, but never get to posting them, probably because drinking them gets in the way.
If you’re a purist and want an authentic non-fruited version, this writer nails it and includes some interesting mint julep history.
I encourage you to play around with your recipes and make a drink that fits your mood at the moment. My mood today includes blackberries, but do use a good bourbon. There are so many to choose from.
We like Woodford Reserve, Angel’s Envy and Four Roses, but our favorite is Blanton’s which I used for this Manhattan. Blanton’s is expensive, and probably best reserved for the non-fruited drinks.
We were recently in New Orleans at Bourbon House and I snapped a picture of the some of the 150 bourbons on hand. It would be fun to live close by and stop in for a quick nightly bourbon tasting. I’d love to hear about your favorite bourbon.
Choose blackberry simple syrup or make the blackberry mint julep with fresh or frozen berries.
You could choose to make a blackberry simple syrup (or purchase one). I don’t think that’s necessary though, because we used frozen (defrosted) blackberries, and found them to make a perfect drink.
Often the mint julep is served with crushed ice and in a silver cup. No silver cup, but ice is easy to crush.
To make blackberry simple syrup, use 1 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water and boil down until you have a syrup. Take through a sieve. Cool and refrigerate to very cold before making the drink.
I’ve made this drink three times to get it right and it was the squeeze of lemon that perfected it.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Do you love mint juleps and have you ever tried a blackberry mint julep and do you have a favorite bourbon?
Let’s connect on instagram, where I often preview posts before they make it here.
- 4 ounces bourbon
- ice
- ⅓ cup frozen blackberries (or fresh)
- 6-10 sprigs fresh mint, plus more for garnish
- juice from squeeze of lemon
- 4 sugar cubes
- Defrost blackberries
- Put mint, lemon, blackberries in shaker.
- Muddle until blackberries are completely smashed.
- Add bourbon, ice and shake.
- Pour into two glasses filled with ice, making sure to use a sieve to prevent blackberry seeds.
- You might want to use crushed ice. I used giant ice cubes.
- Garnish with mint and a blackberry.
A Few of My Favorite Blackberry Recipes from Spinach Tiger
Homemade blackberry syrup really is easy to make, and you can’t beat the amazing berry flavor. Plus, it clearly makes a gorgeous drink!