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Cherry Mint Julep

Besides “Cherries!,” another exciting thing about cherry season is the opportunity to make this cherry mint julep recipe: a blend of bourbon, cherries, mint, simple syrup and crushed ice. All of the ingredients together make for a scrumptious cocktail.

Close up of the metal cup filled with ice, cherries and bourbon. There is another glass in the background

‘Tis the (cherry) season

I love cherries. I look forward to cherry season all year and I’m always sad to see it end. I eat them as often as I can while they’re good.

This year, ever since cherry season rolled around I’ve been thinking, ‘Where can I use cherries?’

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Cherries in puff pastry? Cheery Savory Cherry Cheese Tart!

Cherries in the sangria? Done.

Hmmm, …Cherry margarita? Made it.

Then I thought, ‘Hey, cherries pair well with bourbon, why not add them to the mint julep?’

Brilliant!

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Helpful tips

  • I considered muddling the cherries with the mint and simple syrup but I wanted to take this cocktail to another level so I decided to blend them with the ice. You can choose what you’d like to do, but blending is fun.
  • Use the best bourbon you can afford. Since bourbon is the main ingredient and you are not adding a fruit juice, you will be able to taste the difference. The better the bourbon, the smoother the cocktail. Lower quality bourbon will be more harsh.
  • Use fresh mint. You can find it in little plastic containers in the produce section or if you’re lucky, in your backyard garden.
  • Make your own simple syrup as it is super easy and more cost effective.  Here’s how: place 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of water in a sauce pan over medium heat until the sugar melts. Let simmer for 5 minutes before you remove it from the heat, allow to cool, and store in an air tight bottle.
  • Simple sugar can last for months in your liquor cabinet.
  • If you don’t have a muddler, you can use the back of a long wooden spoon.

How to make the cherry mint julep

Pre-pre-step

Get your mint julep cups, which are usually metal cups. I am choosing to show the cocktail in both the classic cup and a glass so you can see how pretty it is.

Get a muddler or long wooden spoon.

For the garnishes, gather six leaves of mint and six pitted cherries.

Pre-step

Place all your cherries in a colander, run cold water over them and swish your hands around them. Remove stems and de-pit them.  I use this tool to pit cherries.

Step one

Gather the rest of the ingredients – bourbon, cherries, mint, simple syrup and ice.

Bourbon, mint, cherries and simple syrup with a metal cup and measuring glasses in the background

Step two

Add 10 mint leaves and .50 ounce of simple syrup to each glass/cup. Muddle until you can smell the mint’s fragrance without sticking your nose in the glasses.

Overhead view of muddled mint and simple syrup in a metal cup

Step three

Put some ice in the blender and place 10 cherries on top.  Don’t use too many cherries or the ice will get too slushy.

Ice cubes and pitted cherries in a blender container along with the metal cup, glass and bourbon in the background

Step four

Cap the blender and pulse the contents until they’re mixed and crushed, but not as finely as snow.

Step five

Spoon the cherry ice into the glasses and measure 4 ounces of bourbon – 2 ounces per cup.

Bourbon measured out with the bottle, cup, glass and some cherries and mint in the background

Step six

Pour two ounces of bourbon into each cup/glass.

Step seven

Add 3 mint leaves and 3 cherries to each cup.  I place a metal straw in the cup.

The cherry mint drink in the two glasses. The metal one in front with a metal straw in it

See how that bourbon is marrying that cherry slush? It’s love at first sight.

Let’s look at a vertical view. Below, I serve it in a double old-fashioned glass so you can see the beauty of the drink.

Glass filled with the cherry and mint cocktail with the metal glass and straw in the background

YUM!

Now, the overhead view.

Overhead view of a metal glass with a straw. In the glass is liquid, ice, three cherries and mint

I gave Christopher a sip, as I do all of my concoctions, and he said, “I could get used to bourbon.”

High praise indeed.

I hope you enjoyed this cherry mint julep recipe!

And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

Metal cup filled with the cherry mind drink with the clear glass in back - square

Cherry Mint Julep

This nicely blended cherry infused mint julep! So delicious!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: Cocktails
Keyword: bourbon cocktail, cherry mint julep, mint julep
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 cocktails
Calories: 325kcal

Ingredients

  • 20 mint leaves (divided, 10 per cocktail)
  • 1 ounce simple syrup (divided, .50 ounce per cocktail)
  • 10 cup cherries (washed and pitted)
  • 1 1/2 cups ice (approximately)
  • 4 ounces bourbon

Garnish

  • 6 mint leaves (divided, 3 per cocktail)
  • 6 cherries (divided, 3 per cocktail)

Instructions

  • Place mint and simple syrup in each mint julep cup. Muddle until you can smell the mint. (Approximately 1 – 2 minutes)
    20 mint leaves, 1 ounce simple syrup
  • Place the cherries and ice in a blender and blend until crushed but not like snow consistancy
    10 cup cherries, 1 1/2 cups ice
  • Fill the cups 3/4 with cherry slush
  • Measure bourbon and pour over the ice
    4 ounces bourbon
  • Add more slush and place cherry halves on top along with mint leaves
    6 mint leaves, 6 cherries
  • Sip
  • Smile
  • Enjoy
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Notes

Tips on making this mint julep:
  • I considered muddling the cherries with the mint and simple syrup but I wanted to take this cocktail to another level so I decided to blend them with the ice.  You can choose what you’d like to do, but blending is fun!
  • Use the best bourbon you can afford. Since bourbon is the main ingredient and you are not adding a fruit juice, you will be able to taste the difference.  The better the bourbon, the smoother the cocktail.  Lower quality bourbon will be more harsh.
  • Use fresh mint.  You can find it in little plastic containers in the produce section.  Or if you’re lucky, in your backyard garden.
  • Make your own simple syrup.  It is super easy and more cost effective.  Here’s how: place 1 cup of white sugar and 1 cup of water in a sauce pan over medium heat until the sugar melts.  Then let simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, allow to cool, and store in an air tight bottle.  Simple sugar can last for months in your liquor cabinet.
  • If you don’t have a muddler, you can use the back of a long wooden spoon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cocktail | Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 127g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 1642mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 102g | Vitamin A: 995IU | Vitamin C: 54.1mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 3.7mg
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First published in July of 2016.

Website | + posts

From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

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18 Comments

  1. Hey Lainey
    I’m sure I should know this by now, but what is simple syrup?
    I’m kind of curious. ….. with all of these drinks that you make, what does your liquor cabinet look like?
    By the way your drinks always look delicious and oh so refreshing. I love all the different glasses and garnishes that you use.

    1. Hi Dev,

      My liquor cabinet is huge now with all the different liquors.

      Simple syrup is when you boil equal parts water and sugar for 5 minutes. It’s a great addition to something like limes to make a sweet and sour mix. 🙂

      Thanks for the compliments! I love my glassware!

      Lainey

  2. love cherries! but i never have made a cherry cocktail before – but it is SO delicious, and refreshing too. Cherries are perfect to pair with mint! Xx

    1. Hi Thalia,

      I love mint and cherries! I’m always trying to find different ways to incorporate cherries during the season. 🙂

      Elaine

    1. Marta,
      Me too. Makes me want to have one right now and it’s before noon . . . so, I won’t :).

      Elaine

  3. I had never heard of a Julep before but man, this looks SOOO delicious and fresh! Perfect for a summer party in the backyard.

    1. Thanks Sylvie. They are perfect for a summer party, but just know, they pack a punch because it’s basically booze.

  4. I just picked up a large container of cherries and was wondering what I should make with them, now I know! This cherry mint julep.

  5. You just made a Southern Belles heart skip a beat with these nice cool refreshing drinks! totally making them this weekend.

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