This simple Peach Julep recipe is perfect for welcoming spring! It's a refreshing cocktail you'll adore with bourbon, fresh peach, mint leaves, simple syrup and peach bitters.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
185
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- ¼ fresh peach - ripe
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 3 dashes of peach bitters
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig and fresh peach slices - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Julep Cup or Old Fashioned Glass
- Muddler
- Measuring Jigger
- Bar spoon or long stirrer
- Straw
Instructions
- Add Peach: Dice ¼ fresh peach and put it in a Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
- Muddle: Add ½ oz simple syrup and gently muddle to release the juice & flavor from the peach.
- Add Bitters: Add 3 dashes of peach bitters into the glass as well.
- Add Mint: Place 6-8 fresh mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other, to release its aromas. Add the mint to the glass.
- Add Bourbon: Measure and pour 2 oz Bourbon into the glass.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
- Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, churn well to combine the ingredients.
- Add Ice: Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice.
- Garnish: Garnish with a mint sprig and one or two thin slices of fresh peach. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, you can use rye whiskey or brandy as a substitute. Both will give a different flavor profile but still work well with the peach and mint.
- Fresh Peach: You can use canned peaches or a peach liqueur if fresh peaches aren't in season. Adjust the sugar accordingly, as these options may be sweeter than fresh peaches.
- Peach Bitters: if you can’t find peach bitters, you can use regular Angostura bitters as a substitute.
Making a Pitcher of Peach Julep:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 4 peaches, 50-60 mint leaves, and 8 tsp of sugar.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, muddle the peaches, mint leaves, and sugar together. Add the bourbon and stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with a sprig of mint, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute. Several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover, and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary, and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
- Peach Bitters: to make a non-alcoholic version of the Peach Julep, you can simply omit the bitters. However, note that 2 dashes of bitter in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink. The drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol and your degree of tolerance on the topic, this can also be a suitable option.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Peach Julep cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including Bourbon, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Peach Julep?
A Peach Julep is a bourbon-based cocktail made of fresh peaches, mint leaves, sugar syrup, bourbon, and peach bitters. This drink is relatively easy to make but requires some preparation time as the ingredients need to be muddled together correctly for optimal flavor.
The Peach Julep is a variant of the classic Mint Julep enjoyed in the southern United States for centuries and famously associated with the Kentucky Derby horse race.
What is a Peach Julep made of – The ingredients
These are the ingredients you need to create a Peach Julep:
- Peaches: These provide the primary flavor for the cocktail, lending a sweet and fruity taste.
- Mint leaves: They add a refreshing note to balance out the sweetness of the peaches.
- Sugar Syrup: This ingredient enhances the natural sweetness of the peaches.
- Bourbon: It’s the drink’s base spirit, giving it a strong, robust flavor.
- Crushed ice: chills the drink, making it more refreshing and enjoyable.
- Peach bitters: intensify the peach flavor and add complexity to the cocktail.
