Honey Peach Mint Julep
No reason to stick with a plain Mint Julep; mix it up with some fresh fruit and up your game! This Honey Peach Mint Julep is all Southern and ready for a race!
Last year I made this Sparkling Blackberry Mint Julep for the running of the Kentucky Derby and it was life changing (well, in a cocktail sort of way!). Adding fruit to a Mint Julep is so perfect I have to wonder why the original purveyor of this quintessential Southern cocktail didn’t do it. This year a Honey Peach Mint Julep Cocktail did not disappoint.
As much as I do love them, Mint Juleps are also a bit heavy handed with the Bourbon so make sure you use a quality brand (no surprise to see Maker’s Mark here; I LOVE it). This isn’t the cocktail for that cheap stuff you bought to mix with Coco-Cola, OK?
Still, even with a good Bourbon like Maker’s, I’ve always found them a bit too strong until I started playing with Juleps and fruit.
This one, quite simply, is the bomb. So OMG good I could down it right now; well, actually I am. It is sitting here next to me while I write (or try to) and if my grammar and spelling get truly bad soon, blame it on the booze!
I had an epiphany when I was thinking about what to pull together today to honor tomorrow’s race. Though most often associated with Georgia, peaches are to me ‘the’ fruit of the West; they thrive on the Western slope of the Colorado mountains. The heat during the day and the cool nights produce juicy, lovely fruit. Using honey as part of the peach simple syrup I made was inspired by the fact that I had some amazing product from the Mohawk Valley Trading Co. sitting on my counter; that made this an easy choice.
This company is a fantastic find with beautiful honey, beeswax candles and absolutely delicious Maple Syrup. I knew as soon as I saw the packaging that I was in for something special. I’ve got some Maple Cookies I hope to make soon using their Maple Syrup; it is truly divine too. I felt blessed to be able to combine Maker’s Mark bourbon with Mohawk Trading Company’s honey in this Honey Peach Mint Julep creation. Words simply can’t express how fantastic it is!
In case you haven’t heard, my youngest daughter Lauren is leaving tomorrow for a new job in Las Vegas. Talk about mixed emotions. Sad for me, ecstatic for her (and Zappos who is lucky to have her!). There is a going away party I’m missing so guess what; I’m in a hurry!!
I’m done. I wrote yesterday about my love affair with horses and shared this recipe for Bananas Foster Banana Bread and below I’ve shared additional Mint Julep recipes. In the meantime…I”m outta here; my girl is waiting!
Friday Race at Churchill Downs
Triple Crown Races
PIN IT! ‘Honey Peach Mint Julep Cocktail’
Honey Peach Mint Julep
Ingredients
For the Peach and Mint Simple Syrup
- 1 small peach sliced, you can leave skins on if you want
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 5 sprigs mint
- 2 tablespoons honey
For the Cocktail
- 2 ½ ounces bourbon
- 12 mint leaves
- crushed ice
- mint and Ppeach Slices for garnish
Instructions
To Make the Honey Peach Syrup
- Combine the small sliced peach, sugar, water and mint in a small saucepan and cook until the sugar is melted. Simmer for 2-3 minutes on low until the peaches are softened. Add the honey and stir until combined.
- Remove from heat and mash the peaches well.
- Strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the peach pulp and mint; set aside to cool.
To Make the Honey Peach Mint Julep Cocktail
- Place the mint and 1/4 ounce of the peach syrup in a Julep Cup or Old Fashioned glass and gently muddle, working the leaves up the side of the glass.
- Loosely pack the glass with crushed ice, then add bourbon and drizzle a bit of the peach syrup on top. Stir gently.
- Garnish with a peach slice and a sprig of mint.
Sounds yummy. But, I have a bottle of Peach Schnapps I use to sweeten my peach tea, and think I am going to substitute for the peach simple syrup!
That would be perfect!
This is such a gorgeous cocktail, and perfect for watching the Derby! Pinned and sharing on FB!
Thanks Erin…we enjoyed it during the derby and will now assume it’s why our horse won. The horse we picked as they were coming down the stretch. 🙂
Lauren is going to Vegas!! That means you get to visit and party! And she isn’t that far off.. it’s just an hour’s flight from here. Lovely to see the Julep glass in action. Cool photo!
I am glad it’s not so far; Emily is a trip that requires a day of travel and a week of visiting. Lauren is more like a long weekend. In Vegas. 🙂
Cheers to Lauren’s new job and new “home” in Vegas and cheers to you for creating this enticing looking cocktail. Hope you enjoyed the farewell party and hope you enjoy watching the Derby today. Safe travels to Lauren. Lots of changes happening for you…hugs xo
Yes lots of changes. Which means I could stand some boring days; living for the mundane! Of course then I would get bored huh? Thanks Paula; you are always so sweet and supportive and sometimes I need that.
Honey Peach Julep – I can’t tell you how loud this is calling me.
Do it…you will not be disappointed! Random question…do they show the kentucky Derby on TV in Australia?
Beautiful! I can not remember the last time I had a mint julep, but the warm weather is just beginning and our deck is awaiting. 🙂
They are such a great drink but I think get assigned to one day only and they are too good for that. This one was really, really good. Making them for neighbors later; well, really for me. 🙂
This looks and sounds wonderful Barbara… if only it wasn’t such a chilly day here… cheers!
True Liz; I’ll be heading into summery cold cocktails while you’re ensconced in a blankie…light a fire and make one! 🙂
Ohhh, you have no idea how badly I could go for this minty, bourbon-y ice cold cocktail! It looks irresistible, Barb. Perfect for sweating out these hot Texas summer days.
I would suggest a mocktail but since the bourbon is such a big part of it you would just have a minty peach thing. Hmm…maybe not all bad hmmm?
Georgia is known for its juleps, too, so the peach is so appropriate! Exciting new about Laureen — best of luck to her!
Go enjoy! does this mean we can get a discount at Zappo’s? I’m not a bourbon lover but that syrup could make me rethink just about anything! and I have two of the proper cups that I have used for vases!
I’m hoping a discount is in order although I still miss having her work at Nordstrom’s (or miss the discount that is!). The syrup was simply divine.
I remember your Blackberry Mint julep (I so love the word “julep”) this julep sounds every bit as good! Beautiful pictures!