Cool mint, sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb make this Strawberry Rhubarb Julep just the drink you need to sip on all spring and summer long. 

If you’ve been reading this blog long enough, you probably know by now that I am not a sports person.

I don’t play them and I don’t sit and watch them either.  Sure I’ll go out to my required Mets game once a year but after that I’m good and done and can wait until the next season.

I will however use sports and sporting events as an excuse to indulge in the food and drink that go along with them because let’s face it, isn’t that the best part of going to the ballpark anyway?

Now come springtime I get that it’s all about the playoffs for hockey and basketball and the beginning of baseball season but let us not forget about Derby Day.  The one sport where you can dress all fancy, wear fun hats and sip on cocktails all day long.

The Mint Julep is known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and it’s one of those drinks that’s perfect to sip on a hot day or serve up to a crowd.   Simply made with bourbon, sugar, mint and crushed ice this drink goes down easy.

I love the original but I also love to dress it up a little bit.  Think of this Strawberry Rhubarb Julep as the fancy hat and high heels for your Derby Day party.

The Derby is in the heart of spring after all, so what better excuse to break out the rhubarb and first signs of sweet summer strawberries?  Just as easy as the original is to make, so this is springtime makeover.  We start with a rhubarb simple syrup – that makes enough for a crowd or for you to keep all for yourself and then blend it together with muddled strawberries, mint and bourbon.  Last but certainly not least is the crushed ice, this drink needs the crushed ice to cool it all down and frost your cup.  As for that Julep cup? Totally optional but you have to admit the drink isn’t the same without that frosted metal cup in your hand.

The recipe for this Strawberry Rhubarb Julep originally appeared on Food Fanatic.

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