White Nectarine Juleps

Skim this recipe quickly, and you might be surprised to see a glaring omission from this White Nectarine Julep: bourbon. While Kentucky has popularized day-drinking mint and bourbon, it is, apparently, not the only way for a drink to qualify as a Julep.

About the Julep

According to Liquor.com, “The Mint Julep gained prominence in the southern United States during the 18th century, and it first appeared in print in 1803 in John Davis’ book Travels of Four and a Half Years in the United States of America. He wrote that the Mint Julep is a ‘dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning.’ An ice-cold whiskey drink is certainly one way to start your day. Since its creation, the Mint Julep has remained popular, but the julep itself is actually a category of drinks featuring a spirit served over crushed ice.”

How This Inspired Our White Nectarine Julep

With that bit of freedom, I sought an often overlooked spirit, Lillet, and took advantage of stone fruit season. A simple syrup made with wildflower honey and rooibos tea adds a spiced note to the juicy fruit. The resulting cocktail is light, refreshing, and perhaps, as John Davis would say, quite “spirituous.”

This cocktail also lends itself to batching, so make a big mason jar, so you can sit back and enjoy more of your next summer soiree.

- Advertisement -

flag icon folder icon instagram icon pinterest icon facebook icon print icon squares icon heart icon heart solid icon

White Nectarine Juleps

---

• Author: Quelcy Kogel, Adapted from Serious Eats

Print Recipe

Description

Not a fan of bourbon? Here’s the julep for you!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For rooibos tea syrup:

• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 cup honey
• 6 rooibos tea bags
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup honey

For the cocktail:

• 1/2 of an overripe peach, cut into slices
• 1 1/2 oz rooibos tea syrup
• 1 ½ oz fresh juice from 1 lemon
• 2 oz cognac, such as Pierre Ferrand
• 2 oz Lillet Blanc
• Crushed ice
• Large bunch of mint for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

For the rooibos tea syrup:

1. Bring the water and honey to a boil to combine.
2. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes.
3. Let cool before straining and using.
4. Store the syrup in the refrigerator.

For the cocktail:

1. In a mixing glass, muddle peach slices, rooibos syrup, and lemon juice into a rough pulp.
2. Add cognac and Lillet blanc, stir to mix.
3. Pour unstrained into serving glass.
4. Fill the serving glass with crushed ice, garnish with a large bunch of mint.

Recipe and Photography by Quelcy Kogel

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.