Easy Lavender Mint Juleps

It's almost Derby Day! As a Texas girl, that doesn't actually mean anything to me but it's quite the perfect time to share this cocktail that's been on my list for a while so I'm excited. I'm even further removed from any actual Derby concern as I'm currently in Nigeria and probably celebrating my beautiful cousin's wedding as you're reading this. I'll get back to the states just in time to pour one of these up and toss back a margarita (or two) for Cinco de Mayo! Anyway, let's get into these easy lavender mint juleps. If ever there were a time I wished scratch and sniff webpages were a thing, it's now. 🙂

A mint julep cocktail is traditionally made with bourbon, crushed ice (very important that the ice be crushed!) and fresh mint. Some variations also call for a splash of either still or sparkling water, sugar cubes, and or simple syrup. I like a hint of sweetness so I go with a bit of simple syrup in mine. The fresh mint used in a mint julep provides refreshing aroma more so than taste so I wanted to add a little something that would play well with mint as well as add a touch of flavor.

Like with these orange lavender mimosas, the flavor twist in these easy lavender mint juleps comes from lavender simple syrup, which you can either make yourself (easy) or purchase ready-made (easier). To make these cocktails, you'll muddle mint leaves in a bit of the lavender simple syrup, add bourbon and water, stir, then top with lots of crushed ice. Garnishing each drink with a sprig of mint is the finishing touch. I'm a whiskey girl (more on that here) so, Derby Day or not, I'll take any excuse to enjoy a good bourbon! In addition to drinking it, I also like to bake with it, as evidenced by these bourbon-glazed gingerbread loaves, naked bourbon carrot cake, and bourbon sweet potato pecan pie! The recipe for these easy lavender mint juleps is heavy on the bourbon, so feel free to scale it back to suit your taste. I recommend 1 ½ to 2 ounces if you're new to bourbon cocktails.

And if you're interested in something similar sans alcohol, check out this simple honey lavender lemonade. There is also plenty of beverage inspo to be found on the Drinks page. I hope y'all are having a wonderful start to the month of May and will be back (in the virtual sense) with a new post on Thursday. Thanks for reading!

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Easy Lavender Mint Juleps

Prep Time

2 mins

Total Time

2 mins

 

The classic Kentucky bourbon cocktails made with a simple twist of lavender flavor

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bourbon cocktails, cocktails with lavender, easy mint julep recipe, mint julep cocktails

Servings: 2 cocktails

Ingredients

• 6 ounces bourbon
• 2 ounces water still or sparkling
• crushed ice
• 2 ounces lavender simple syrup
• 10 mint leaves
• 2 springs of mint

Instructions

1. Add one ounce lavender syrup to a rocks glass then, using the back of a spoon, muddle five mint leaves in it until fragrant.
2. Add one ounce of water then pile glass with crushed ice. Add three ounces bourbon and stir until glass is frosted.
3. Garnish with a mint sprig then repeat with remaining ingredients in another glass.