Blackberry Mint Julep is a twist on a classic. Bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves, club soda and blackberries combine to make a magical and refreshing cocktail.
What happens when your friend makes and blackberry cobbler and has some blackberries left over? Well, first you eat the amazing cobbler and then you make cocktails! One of my favorite cocktails is a Mint Julep. Blackberries are the perfect mate to fresh mint and bourbon. Well, it’s one of the perfect mates. I can think of many other fruits that would be amazing in this drink!
The blackberries were perfectly ripe so that they burst under the muddler. If the berries aren’t quite ready to be picked, your drink won’t have that deep, rich, flavor. So, be sure that you are persnickety about which berries that you use. I had apple mint on hand because Larry’s family farm was harvesting apple mint and Larry makes sure I get the pick of the mint for my cocktails.
The best part of making this cocktail was my husband’s reaction. His eyebrows lifted, and a little smile came to his lips. “THAT is really good!” He exclaimed, and I knew I’d be making this cocktail often! Which is just fine with me!
Blackberry Mint Julep
Blackberry Mint Julep is a twist on a classic. Bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves, club soda, and blackberries. It's very important to have finely crushed ice.
Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup Blueberries
- 4-5 Sprigs Fresh mint
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 1/2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Club Soda
- Finely crushed ice
Instructions
Put the blueberries and mint into a julep cup, double old fashioned glass or a collins glass and muddle. Pour the simple syrup and muddle a bit more. Add the bourbon, club soda and top with the finely crushed ice. Stir until the cup becomes frosty
I look forward to harvesting the apple mint from Larry’s family farm. It’s so much fun to go to the farm and hang out with my dear friends Larry and Cindy, and the dogs, cats, goats, and chickens. I usually bring too much mint home because it is one of my favorites. I love it in cocktails, especially a Moscow Mule, so it is natural for me to infuse vodka with mint.
There’s conflicting information about which vodka to use when you are infusing. It’s all a matter of opinion. My opinion is that you should use the vodka that you normally like to drink. I’ve used cheap vodka, and it tastes like cheap vodka with a mint. It is, of course, up to you. I like to use Utah’s own Beehive Vodka for my mint-infused vodka. It is made in small batches, and it is a fabulous quality. It is smooth and drinkable without breaking the bank.
Infusing is an incredibly easy process, but keep a few things in mind before you start. For mint infusion, let it steep for five days. I like to shake it up a few times during the steeping process. Put it in a dry, dark, place for those five days. After you strain out the mint, put it in the refrigerator.