Mixed Berry Julep
Muddle; Churn ∙ 4 min ∙ 21.1% ABV ∙
The Mixed Berry Julep is a julep variation muddling blackberries and raspberries with mint, bourbon, and cognac over crushed ice. Crushed ice delivers a frosty, slushy texture while muddled berry pulp lends a jammy sweetness against a warming, herbaceous finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- In the base of the glass, lightly muddle: Fresh blackberries 2 pcsFresh raspberries 3 pcs
- Add the remaining ingredients: Fresh mint leaves 12 pcsBourbon 30 mlCognac 30 mlSugar syrup 20 ml
- Into the glass, add crushed ice and churn with a bar spoon
- Top up the glass with more crushed ice and churn again
- Garnish with a blackberry and a mint sprig
Tips
- Muddle the blackberries and raspberries lightly — pressing too hard pulls out bitter seed and pith notes.
- Churn with a bar spoon rather than stirring; the up-and-down motion pulls the crushed ice through the berries and spirits evenly.
History
The Mixed Berry Julep is a modern twist on the Mint Julep, created by bartender Dré Masso in Colombia in 2009. It keeps the julep's muddled mint and crushed-ice format but adds fresh blackberries and raspberries and splits the base between bourbon and cognac.
The Mint Julep it descends from is one of the oldest American mixed drinks, developed in the American South out of an older medicinal "julep" tradition and originally made with brandy or rum before bourbon became the standard base in the 19th century. Its exact origins among early Virginia taverns and bartenders are disputed, but the drink became closely tied to Kentucky and, by 1938, to the Kentucky Derby, where it remains a fixture.
FAQ
What makes a cocktail a julep?
A julep is a spirit-and-sugar drink built over crushed ice with fresh mint, traditionally bourbon-based. This version keeps that structure — churned crushed ice and muddled mint — while adding cognac alongside the bourbon and muddled berries for a fruit-forward twist.
How do you make a blackberry julep?
This build lightly muddles fresh blackberries and raspberries in the base of the glass, then adds mint, bourbon, cognac, and sugar syrup on top. Crushed ice is added and churned with a bar spoon, then topped with more crushed ice and churned again before garnishing with a blackberry and a mint sprig.
What kind of bourbon is best for a julep?
A straightforward, mid-proof bourbon works best, since the mint, berries, and cognac in this build already add plenty of character. A heavily oaked or very high-proof bourbon can overpower the fruit and mint rather than complementing them.
What is the $5000 drink at the Kentucky Derby?
Churchill Downs has sold a luxury edition of the Mint Julep for a high price during Derby week, made with rare aged bourbon and served in a collectible cup, though the exact price and bourbon used have changed from year to year. The standard Mint Julep served at the Derby is a much simpler bourbon, mint, and sugar drink over crushed ice.
