Blackberries have been growing abundantly in our garden recently, so we’ve been trying to find new ways to use them up. This time, our new recipe was a Blackberry Mint Julep. It’s a delicious drink that also uses the mint from the garden.
I love when we can use ingredients fresh from the garden. It makes everything taste so much better. And, we know where everything comes from.
This recipe uses a mint-infused simple syrup, which adds a lot of sweetness to the drink. We had to make a big batch of the simple syrup. It was more than what was needed for one drink, but we used it to make a few drinks.
Justin made it originally for the Blackberry Mint Julep, but we also used it to make a strawberry mojito. I like my drinks very sweet, so I still added a bit of sugar when I made a mojito. But, in the julep, it was the perfect amount.
Step by Step
Chop the mint leaves into small pieces. This helps release the juices and makes them easier to work with.
To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the mint leaves from the syrup. Discard the mint leaves. Let the syrup cool completely.
In a serving glass, carefully muddle the mint leaves and blackberries. Add the bourbon to the glass with 2 tbsp of the mint simple syrup. Stir until everything is combined. Add ice and top with 7Up. Garnish with extra mint leaves.
Recipe
Blackberry Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup mint leaves (chopped)
- 3 mint leaves
- 2 blackberries
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 cup 7Up
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan
- Bring it to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the mint leaves from the syrup
- Discard the mint leaves
- Let the syrup cool completely
- In a serving glass, carefully muddle the mint leaves and blackberries
- Add the bourbon to the glass with 2 tbsp of the mint simple syrup
- Stir until everything is combined
- Add ice and top with 7Up
- Garnish with extra mint leaves
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This is the perfect way to celebrate summer! I can imagine myself with friends sipping to this by the side of the pool! I can’t wait for our weather to start warming up!!
It’s been so hot here, we’ve been doing just as you said: enjoying drinks like this at the poolside!
This sounds like such a refreshing drink for summer – I love anything with mint in! I’m going to have to give this a try…
We’ve made quite a few mint drinks this summer since it’s growing so well in the garden.
I love mint even though I don’t use it much in cooking. I do love mint infused drinks and this sounds delicious.
We don’t use it a lot in cooking, either. It’s used for drinks at our house.
I love that you made mint infused simple syrup. That sounds delicious! Totally something I will have to do.
It made a lot of the simple syrup, but we were able to use it for this drink and a few others, too.
Everything about this recipe screams summer to me! Thank you for sharing!
It was such a summer drink! Perfect for the hot weather and chilling by the pool.
There is nothing more refreshing than fresh mint! This is the perfect drink to keep cool during my desert summers.
It’s so true. Mint is a great way to make a refreshing drink in the heat of summer.