Strawberry Mint Julep

Want another recipe to make use of that Strawberry-infused Bourbon we created a few weeks ago? How about a Strawberry Mint Julep?

Mint Juleps are a classic Kentucky cocktail; simple, refreshing and delicious. All you need to make a traditional Mint Julep is some spearmint leaves, Kentucky bourbon, sugar and water. This time around we’re substituting regular bourbon for the strawberry bourbon we’ve already made. You can add some muddled strawberry into the mix if you want an even stronger Florida strawberry flavor.

Muddling is the process of crushing a fruit, herb or spice in order to break it down and release its flavors. In this case, muddling the mint leaves extracts their flavorful oils. It’s very similar to the process of using a motar and pestle. You can pick up a muddler at Williams-Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond, Sur La Table and even Target stores. You may find one made of metal and plastic but I prefer the classic wood muddler. Some have a smooth rounded end and others a grated end similar to a meat cleaver. I recommend this muddler from Amazon, it is a great deal at $12.

Another popular drink that requires a muddler is a mojito. Perhaps that’s the next cocktail I’ll share with you so we can make the most of that muddler purchase!

Strawberry Mint Julep

• 6 fresh spearmint leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tsp water
• 2 1/2 ounces Florida strawberry-infused bourbon
• Crushed ice
• 1 Florida strawberry

Muddle spearmint leaves and sugar with 2 tsp of water in a Collins glass. Sugar is often used instead of honey or agave nectar when muddling because its abrasive structure helps speed up the muddling process. You’ll know you’re done when you can smell the freshness of the mint coming out of the glass.

Add the strawberry-infused bourbon and crushed ice and stir with a bar spoon. Stirring instead of shaking in a cocktail shaker helps prevent the dilution of bourbon into the ice. Some cocktail aficionados insist that shaking a bourbon or gin cocktail can actually “bruise” the spirit.

Garnish with the fresh Florida strawberry and some extra mint and enjoy!

Bonus trivia! Back in the day, a Kentucky Derby-style Mint Julep would be served in a silver beaker. The beaker would get so cold that it built frost on the outside. Those enjoying this classic derby version of the cocktail would only grasp the beaker from the top and bottom edges so as not to warm the cocktail or melt the frost.