Do you guys like to keep your various groups of friends separate or do you let them mingle? Generally, I like to lump all of my friends together at dinners and parties – I figure all my friends like me, so they already have one thing in common. But, just this past weekend, two very dear friends of mine met for the first time. What made it even more interesting is that we invited them both to stay the weekend. Luckily they got along quite well and there were no fisticuffs.
Instead there were homemade waffles, no-knead pizza and plenty of raspberry mint juleps. Raspberry mint juleps are similar to regular juleps: mint, bourbon, sugar and lots of ice. These guys have the added bonus of summer sweet raspberries. Give me any excuse for crushing ice and I’m in. I know drink purists love those giant, hand crafted balls of slow melting ice, but there’s something so summery about a tumbler filled with crushed ice, especially if it’s topped off with bourbon!
Raspberry Mint Julep Recipe
makes 1 julep
- 1 ounce raspberry simple syrup
- 2 cups crushed ice, divided
- 2 ounces bourbon
- fresh mint and raspberries to garnish
In a metal cup, add 1/2 an ounce of simple syrup. Place 4-5 mint leaves into the cup and muddle gently. Add 1/2 of the crushed ice and pour on the bourbon. Top with the remaining simple syrup and ice. Idealy, you should heap on the ice so it looks sort of like a snow cone. Garnish with mint and raspberries and enjoy immediately.
Raspberry Simple Syrup Recipe
makes about 3/4 cups syrup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup raspberries
In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, water and raspberries up to a boil over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, raspberries are muddled and syrup is bright pink. Strain out the raspberry bits, pressing down on them to release as much juice as possible. Chill before using.
PS – Don’t you just love the tumblers I used? They’re from MAKR.
PPS – The winner of the $50 Whole Foods gift card is Cindy M. Congrats! I’ll email you for details!
This mint julep sounds fabulous!! I love your beaker measuring glasses too :)
i feel like i always stress out about my different groups of friends mingling, but it’s always fine in the end! especially with booze :) i am freaking in love with those cups you have in these photos!
Yussss! You are speaking my cocktail language!
I’m awful at friend mingling. I keep my friends separate and stress out about when they have to meet. But really, it’s all just in my head. Also I second Ms. Yeh up top ^^^ cute cups. Also love the beaker!
These sound so good and the tumblers and beakers are FAB!
ha I love this! Friend mingling is such a weirdly stressful thing — I like your approach! And these raspberry mint juleps aaahhh. (The text in the top graphic blew my mind! For a second I thought the tumbler was labeled ahaha.)
it stresses me out so i prefer to keep it separate but when it happens its usually fine? and crushed ice is the bomb.
OK FINE you convinced me I need those tumblers AND I needed a mint julep, like, 2 hours ago.
I love mingling my friends! Good people should know other good people! And I love this cocktail and those pictures.
Oo these look perfect for an upcoming party I am hosting. Summery, tart & refreshing!