This easy lavender mint julep with a twist of floral flavor is the perfect cold drink for a hot Southern summer day. Here's how to make in just five minutes with four easy ingredients!
This mint julep recipe with lavender syrup tastes and smells so lovely, it will make you wish scratch-and-sniff screens were a thing. I'm not gone even hold you--let's get into it.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my Lavender Mimosa and Kentucky Mule with Bourbon!
Jump to:
- What does it taste like?
- What You'll Need for this Recipe
- Do mint juleps always have bourbon?
- Tips & Tools
- What kind of cocktail is a julep?
- Favorite Smash Cocktails
- How to Make a Lavender Mint Julep
- Serving the Julep Cocktail
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Favorite Drinks with Mint
- Lavender Flavored Mint Julep Recipe
- Easy Lavender Mint Julep
What does it taste like?
This is a classic mint julep so you'll get the refreshing taste of fresh muddled mint, a hint of sweetness, and the oaky, vanilla, and caramel notes of good bourbon whiskey. You'll also taste sweet and calming floral notes.
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Your shopping list will be short and simple for this recipe. Here are the lavender mint julep ingredients:
Bourbon Whiskey is the star spirit in the modern mint julep cocktail. And there are no mixers so be sure to use a quality bourbon you would enjoy sipping neat.
Fresh Mint is a must. Do not substitute with dried mint, mint extract or anything else.
Lavender Simple Syrup takes the place of simple syrup or more traditionally, sugar cubes, to add not only sweetness but also another layer of herbal flavor. You can purchase ready-made lavender syrup or make honey lavender syrup at home with just three ingredients!
Cobbled Ice, crushed ice, or shaved ice is key to the perfect presentation of a mint julep. Pro tip: buy the pebbled ice from Sonic for an easy shortcut.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Do mint juleps always have bourbon?
Kentucky bourbon is commonly regarded as key to a classic mint julep, but the iconic southern drink was made popular by formerly enslaved horse jockey and restauranteur, John Dabney in the post Civil War American South...using brandy, cognac or Caribbean rum!
During the 1800s, John Dabney became known for his "hailstorm juleps" served out of giant silver cups and piled high with either shaved or crushed ice. The necessity of Kentucky bourbon that we know today is due to marketing.
Check out the classic Julep a la Dabney recipe from Sweet Tea & Thyme!
Tips & Tools
Grab a jigger to measure out the bourbon and a muddler to express the flavors of the mint. You'll also need a bar spoon to gently stir everything together.
Pro tip: If you don't have these bar tools, don't worry! I shot glass is a great replacement for a jigger. You can use the blunt end of a kitchen spoon in place of a muddler, and a butter knife (plus a gentle hand) works almost as well as a bar spoon.
What kind of cocktail is a julep?
The julep originated as a medicinal drink and is closely related to the smash cocktail. The difference being that a smash requires muddled fruit. So, technically, a smash cocktail is also a julep but not the other way around!
Favorite Smash Cocktails
How to Make a Lavender Mint Julep
Add the lavender syrup and mint leaves to a silver julep cup.
Gently muddle to release the mint oils and combine the flavors.
Pour in bourbon then fill the cup with ice and stir until it's frosted.
Pack it with more ice to form a dome and garnish.
Serving the Julep Cocktail
The well-known silver julep cup is a nod to John Dabney and an absolute must for presentation points. I also recommend garnishing the drink with sprigs of fresh mint and lavender, which greet the nose with each sip! Add a silver straw, if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lavender mint julep drink is for everyone (of legal drinking age)--for him, for her, for they! Don't let gender norms keep you from this deliciousness.
This iced bourbon cocktail will cool you off wonderfully on a hot day. And it's the perfect easy cocktail for Derby Day. Because of the fresh herbs, this is a great springtime bourbon drink but you can enjoy it whenever the weather is warm.
More Favorite Drinks with Mint
Now that you have the classic mint julep drink with lavender in hand, I hope you'll enjoy soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pint this mint julep with lavender syrup for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Lavender Flavored Mint Julep Recipe
Easy Lavender Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 4 mint sprigs
- ½ ounce lavender simple syrup
- 3 ounces bourbon
- crushed ice
- mint and lavender to garnish
Instructions
- Add leaves from four mint sprigs and lavender simple syrup to a silver julep cup. Muddle gently to release the mint oils and combine the flavors.
- Pour in bourbon then fill the cup with ice.
- Stir until the cup is frosted (about 30 seconds).
- Pack cup with more ice to form a dome then garnish with more mint and lavender.
- Serve immediately and enjoy responsibly!
adriana says
These look SO GOOD! What a great summer entertaining drink - I have to try these out! Yum!
Rachel says
I guess I never realized this drink contained bourbon. I guess that makes sense for being the drink of the Kentucky derby.
Tiffany says
Yummy! And your dress is absolutely on point! <3
Sharon says
Wow this looks like a deliciously different take on a classic cocktail. The lavender syrup is a great addition!
Beth Eaton says
I am not a huge fan of mint but with the lavender it sounds amazing!