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    Home » What We're Eating » Mint Julep Fruit Salad

    Mint Julep Fruit Salad

    Published: Apr 16, 2018 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage of Mint Julep Fruit Salad recipe

    "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)!

    A festive Mint Julep Fruit Salad is perfect for a bridal shower or Kentucky Derby party!

    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! 

    A fresh fruit salad dressed with a mint and bourbon simple syrup is an easy option for a Kentucky Derby party!

    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.

    A jar of lime and mint infused simple syrup for dressing a Mint Julep Fruit Salad

    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?!

    Photo of Mint Julep Fruit Salad in a glass dish surrounded by roses for a Kentucky Derby party.

    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.

    Dish of mint julep fruit salad with text overlay

    More Fruit Salads You Might Like:

    • Pink Ambrosia Salad
    • Fluff Fruit Salad
    • 5-Minute Poolside Fruit Dip
    Print Pin
    5 from 2 votes

    Mint Julep Fruit Salad

    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)!
    Course Side
    Cuisine Southern
    Keyword Bourbon Fruit Salad, fruit salad, Mint Julep Salad
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
    Servings 6 cups
    Calories 159.7kcal
    Author The Seasoned Mom

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 159.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.6g | Protein: 1.3g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 5.4mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 34.4g
    « Our Week in Meals #74
    Strawberry Spinach Salad & Poppy Seed Dressing »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley

      April 16, 2018 at 10:31 am

      This looks so refreshing and pretty I can’t wait to try it and share with my family and friends!

      Reply
    2. Christopher Kates

      April 17, 2018 at 2:26 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 17, 2018 at 2:19 pm

        Awesome! Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Emily

      March 21, 2019 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      What a fun sounding salad for summer, can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    4. Mary

      May 07, 2022 at 3:22 pm

      5 stars
      It’s derby day! This should be delicious! I have always made mint juleps and some other things that go with the Kentucky Derby !

      Reply
      • Blair Lonergan

        May 07, 2022 at 6:20 pm

        Hope you have a fun celebration, Mary!

        Reply

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