These festive, fun Mixed Berry Parfait Cups are perfect for your Memorial day or 4th of July celebration!  With fresh berries macerated in brandy, mint whipped mascarpone and graham cracker streusel, these patriotic berries in brandy parfaits are easy to prepare and downright delicious!

*Updated*

This post was originally published in June 2016.  I edited the photos and changed some of the written post below to include more information.  Plus, I added a RECIPE VIDEO to show you how easy this boozy fruit parfait is to make! 

Hi friends!  T minus 4 days till the 4^th of July!  Wahoo!!

Do you guys have any big plans to celebrate our independence?  Whatever festivities you guys have devised, I hope it includes lots of fantastic food, delicious drinks and a fascinating fireworks.

While the rest of the nation is busy organizing their shindig for the 4^th, I am busy getting ready to celebrate something else next week.  Something I use to loooove celebrating when I was younger, but now as I get older, I feel like I’m just adding more notches to my belt… and since I’m not getting any skinnier, that saying seems sadly appropriate.

That’s right.  Next week is maaah birrrrthhdaaay!  I’ll just come out and tell you, I will be 33.

33!  Even as I type that number I find it hard to believe.

I feel like I was just having a conniption over turning 30, and now I will be closer to 35 than 30.  I’m trying to refrain myself from having an emotional breakdown by reminding myself age is just a number.

Besides, women are like a fine wine… we get better with age.  😉

So as you all are planning out your 4^th of July party, I am working on my birthday wish list.  For those of you who are a nosy Nancy like me, so far it’s a toss-up between a new camera body and custom shelving for my office closet.

Anyways, I’m not so busy dreaming up birthday gifts that I forgot about you guys and your need for festively fun 4^th of July food!

So, I made you guys one of my favorite treats to devour in the summer – parfaits… with fruit and booze, of course.

Mixed Berry Parfait Cups

Aka boozy berries or 4^th of July in a glass.  Because, you just can’t celebrate Independence Day with at least one red, white and blue dish.  But, these beauties are more than just three shades of parfait perfect, they are also downright delicious.

I know I just shared a trifle with you guys, but recently I am all about the layers of flavor. I am convinced layered food makes life compl-eat, just saying.  Besides, once you try these parfaits, I’m sure you will be joining me in my layers are not just for fall clothing mentality.

Thick and creamy, yet airy and light, decadent, sweet, minty mascarpone.

Boozy, luscious, fruity, fresh berries.

Brown sugary, cinnamon-y, crumbly and crisp graham cracker streusel.

Basically, these parfaits taste like a summer fruit crisp… made individual sized, minus the baking and plus some luxurious mascarpone.

Essentially, these festive, fun 4th of July treats put the fruit crisp to shame.  So you should turn off your oven and indulge in these pretty fruit parfaits instead.  😉

What is brandy?

Brandy is an alcoholic spirit produced by distilling wine. Typically it is consumed as an after-dinner digestif, however in this recipe we are using it to infuse the berries.  The word ‘brandy’ is derived from the Dutch word “brandewijn” which means “burnt wine”, and it is a simplistic description of boiling wine in the distillation process.

Which brandy to use for cooking, sangrias or parfaits?

While there are tons of very fine brandies available, there is no need to use a highest quality brandy in cooking.  The same goes when making a punch such as sangria, or to infuse the fruit in this fourth of July, festive fruit dessert.  However, since we won’t be cooking out the alcohol in these Red White & Blue Boozy Berries Parfait and the actual flavor of brandy is a concern for sangria or parfaits, I would purchase at least a medium quality brandy.

What is a parfait?

A parfait is a dessert consisting of layers served in a tall glass.

There are two types of parfaits, the French version and the American version.  The parfait, meaning “perfect” in french, originated in France.

In the french version, a parfait is made by boiling cream, egg, sugar and syrup to create a puree which is custard-like in texture.  The American version of parfait is a little bit more lax and includes more ingredients, such as granola, nuts or liqueurs in combination with a a topping of fruits and/or whipped cream that are layered and served.

How to make Mixed Berry Parfait Cups? (tips & tricks)

1. If you turn these into non-alcoholic 4th of July parfaits, simply skip the brandy when marinating the berries. Instead, increase the amount of sugar to ½ cup and let the berries macerate according to directions in the recipe.
2. You can make all components of this Red White & Blue Boozy Berries Parfait in advance. Just keep the whipped mascarpone, berries and streusel separate and assemble before serving.
3. The streusel is crazy addictive. I highly recommend you double the recipe and store it in a Ziploc bag.  It is delicious as a sweet snack, or you can use it to top ice cream, stir it into yogurt, serve it with fresh fruit, etc.

Add this festively fun Red White & Blue Boozy Berries Parfait to your 4^th of July soiree – I guarantee you and your guests will love them!

In light of the holiday and my birthday I will not be posting on Monday.  So until next Thursday friends, cheers – to a fabulous (and safe) Independence day!

XOXO

Cheyanne

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The best Mixed Berry Parfait Cups recipe and step-by-step video 👇

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Mixed Berry Parfait Cups - 4th of July Berry Parfait

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

With berries marinated in brandy, mint whipped mascarpone and graham cracker streusel, these festively fun parfaits are perfect for your 4th of July celebration!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Fusion, Italian

Keyword: 4th of July, American, Berries, boozy, Brandy, Easy, Festive, no bake, parfait, trifle

Servings: 6

Calories: 566 kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

Berries:

• 1 Pound Strawberries – trimmed and halved (or quartered if large)
• 1 Pint Blueberries
• ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Lemon – zest of whole and juice of half
• 1/2 Cup Brandy

Whipped Mascarpone:

• 8 oz Mascarpone Cheese
• ½ Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 TBS Honey
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• ¼ Cup Fresh Mint – finely chopped, plus more for garnish

Streusel:

• 1/3 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 7 Graham Crackers
• 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/8 tsp Cinnamon
• 6 TBS Unsalted Butter – melted

Instructions

1. Marinate the berries: In a large bowl combine the granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and brandy. Stir well. Add the berries and gently toss to combine. Taste and adjust for sweetness and brandy if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight, stirring occasionally.
2. Make the streusel: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl of a food processor, add the flour, graham crackers, sugar, salt and cinnamon.  Pulse until finely ground.  Transfer to a bowl (or remove the blade from food processor) and add in melted butter.  Use a fork to mix until clumps form. Transfer streusel to baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 7 minutes. Remove from oven and stir. Return to oven and continue to bake for 6-8 additional minutes, or until streusel is pale brown, watching closely to prevent burning. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the pan.
3. Whip the mascarpone: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the mascarpone and heavy whipping cream. Beat on high speed until thickened, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the honey and vanilla and beat until just combined. Fold in the mint.
4. To assemble: Layer a ¼ cup of mascarpone in the bottom of each parfait glass, top with a fourth of the berries and spoonful of the brandy marinade. Top each with a ¼ cup of the streusel. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

1. If you turn these into non-alcoholic 4th of July parfaits, simply skip the brandy when marinating the berries. Instead, increase the amount of sugar to ½ cup and let the berries macerate according to directions in the recipe.
2. You can make all components of this parfait in advance. Just keep the whipped mascarpone, berries and streusel separate and assemble before serving.
3. The streusel is crazy addictive. I highly recommend you double the recipe and store it in a Ziploc bag.  It is delicious as a sweet snack, or you can use it to top ice cream, stir it into yogurt, serve it with fresh fruit, etc.

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