“Run for the roses” with an easy and festive Mint Julep Fruit Salad that’s perfect for Derby Day!
Whether you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party, a bridal shower, or any other spring gathering, your guests are going to love the fresh lime-and-mint-infused simple syrup that dresses this sweet bowl of goodness (and yes…you can spike it with a dash of bourbon)!
Since fruit salads seem to make an appearance at just about every potluck, brunch, or party this season, I thought that it would be fun to dress up the standard dish with a bit of a Southern kick!
Inspired by the classic cocktail, this Mint Julep Fruit Salad is an easy twist on the traditional side dish. And nothing says “fun” like a shot of bourbon, right?!
Let’s get this party started!
What’s a Mint Julep Made of?
A mint julep is made with sugar syrup, fresh mint, bourbon and crushed ice. It’s super refreshing, delicious and a fun way to spruce up a plain old fruit salad.
This particular salad is special because the simple syrup lightly coats it.
The dressing adds a hint of sweetness and a boatload of fresh flavor to the fruit, since it’s infused with fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and lime zest. The addition of bourbon at the end is completely optional, but it definitely adds a lovely, festive touch!
Make it Kid Friendly
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly fruit salad, you can omit the bourbon entirely. If you like just a very subtle taste of bourbon, I suggest using 1 teaspoon of the alcohol. And if you’re really looking for a party, add as much bourbon as you like!
I think 2 teaspoons of bourbon is perfect for a light touch that you can still taste, but 1 tablespoon works well too for a bit more punch.
What to Serve it with
The Mint Julep Fruit Salad would be lovely served alongside a tray of our favorite Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders, with a batch of Derby Day Bourbon Brownies or my grandmother’s Bourbon Balls for dessert!
Go big or go home, right?!
We love the Kentucky Derby around here, and I can’t think of a better way to welcome spring or to celebrate with friends. So grab your big hat and your favorite party dress — the bourbon is optional, but highly recommended!
Top Tips for Making Mint Julep Fruit Salad
- You can prep this salad in advance and leave it to marinate in the fridge.
- You can easily omit the bourbon to make it alcohol free.
- You can also use different fruits and berries such as blueberries, blackberry, apples etc.
- I love to serve this with a dollop of whipped cream but you could also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
More Fruit Salads You Might Like:
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Mint Julep Fruit Salad
Ingredients
FOR THE DRESSING:
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime zest
- 1 cup loosely-packed fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1-2 teaspoons bourbon (optional)
FOR THE SALAD:
- 4 cups halved green grapes
- 4 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
- 24 maraschino cherries, drained from a jar
- Optional garnish: whipped cream
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing:
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together sugar, lime zest, mint leaves, and water. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat, stir in lime juice and bourbon. Set aside to cool for about 20 minutes.
- Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a jar or other similar airtight container. Discard solids. Refrigerate dressing for at least 4 hours.
Prepare the Salad:
- Gently stir together grapes and kiwi in a large bowl. Slowly drizzle about ¼ cup of dressing over top of the salad (or more, to taste), and toss to coat. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with cherries and optional whipped cream, just before serving.
Notes
- You can prep this salad in advance and leave it to marinate in the fridge.
- You can easily omit the bourbon to make it alcohol free.
- You can also use different fruits and berries such as blueberries, blackberry, apples etc.
- I love to serve this with a dollop of whipped cream but you could also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This looks so refreshing and pretty I can’t wait to try it and share with my family and friends!
I can’t wait to try this. My mouth started salivating by seeing this only. is my favorite and anytime you give fruit salad I will be ready to eat without any limit. And this is kind of different I guess. Because I saw some extra ingredients in the recipe. So I’m definitely going to try this soon and will definitely let you know, how it turned out.
Awesome! Enjoy!
What a fun sounding salad for summer, can’t wait to try it!
It’s derby day! This should be delicious! I have always made mint juleps and some other things that go with the Kentucky Derby !
Hope you have a fun celebration, Mary!