• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dishes Delish
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Resources
    • Shop | Kitchen Tools
    • Free Downloads Delish
  • About
    • About Elaine Benoit
    • About Christopher Benoit
    • Website Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Shop
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Cocktail » Cherry Mint Julep

    Cherry Mint Julep

    Last updated on February 25, 2020. Originally posted on June 27, 2019 By Elaine 18 Comments

    532 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Cherry Mint Julep for Pinterest 3
    Cherry Mint Julep for Pinterest 2
    Cherry Mint Julep for Pinterest

    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?’

    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!

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    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 FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM 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 5 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
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    • 20 mint leaves (divided, 10 per cocktail)
    • 1 ounce simple syrup (divided, .50 ounce per cocktail)
    • 10 cup cherries (washed and pitted)
    • 1 ½ 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)
    • Place the cherries and ice in a blender and blend until crushed but not like snow consistancy
    • Fill the cups ¾ with cherry slush
    • Measure bourbon and pour over the ice
    • Add more slush and place cherry halves on top along with mint leaves
    • Sip
    • Smile
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    cherry pitter
    cocktail shaker
    measuring glass
    muddler
    mint julep cups
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    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
    Get new recipes in your inbox!Click here! to sign up for our newsletter

    First published in July of 2016.

    « Baked Stuffed Peppers
    Claire’s Creamy Cheesecake Recipe »
    532 shares

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

    Caring is Sharing

    Liked this recipe?  Pin it for later, share it on Facebook, tweet about it and Yum it to Yummly!  I greatly appreciate it!!  Tag me @dishesdelish!!

    If you like my recipes!  How about following me on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook I would love to connect with you!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Devon

      July 02, 2016 at 11:21 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 04, 2016 at 10:00 am

        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

        Reply
    2. Thalia @ butter and brioche

      July 02, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 04, 2016 at 10:01 am

        Hi Thalia,

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

        Elaine

        Reply
    3. Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today

      July 02, 2016 at 5:37 pm

      It makes me excited 😀

      Reply
      • Elaine

        July 04, 2016 at 10:12 am

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

        Elaine

        Reply
    4. Joyce

      October 01, 2017 at 5:12 pm

      What a lovely addition to a mint julep!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2017 at 7:38 pm

        I absolutely love cherries in anything!

        Reply
    5. Sylvie

      June 27, 2019 at 7:59 pm

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

      Reply
      • Elaine

        June 29, 2019 at 9:45 am

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

        Reply
    6. Sharon

      June 27, 2019 at 8:06 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        June 29, 2019 at 9:47 am

        Hehe. Rock on Sharon! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    7. Krissy Allori

      June 27, 2019 at 8:13 pm

      This looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        June 29, 2019 at 9:46 am

        Thanks Krissy! It is! The cherry really enhances the bourbon!

        Reply
    8. Kate

      June 27, 2019 at 9:06 pm

      Wow, this looks SO delicious and refreshing – making this this weekend!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        June 29, 2019 at 9:45 am

        Thanks Kate. I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    9. Heidy L. McCallum

      June 27, 2019 at 10:16 pm

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

      Reply
      • Elaine

        June 28, 2019 at 12:36 pm

        Hehe. Thanks Heidy! 🙂 I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply

    Tell me what you think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Elaine Benoit headshot

    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

    More about me →

    Easter Recipes

    • Pizza Gana Recipe
    • Bacon Broccoli Quiche
    • Ham and Asparagus Quiche
    • Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb

    Cinco de Mayo fare

    • Mexican Crema | Delicious Condiment
    • Mexican Pickled Onions
    • Beef Chile con Queso
    • Instant Pot Refried Beans

    Footer

    As Seen In

    Brand logos banner

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Terms & Conditions

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Dishes Delish

    532 shares