✔ Updated · now fully alcohol-free (mint syrup, not liqueur), fresh mint + real calories
This Disneyland mint julep recipe is a homemade, inspired-by version of the famous alcohol-free mint julep sold at the park: a sweet, tangy mint lemonade-limeade with a bright green color, served ice cold with a cherry and a sprig of fresh mint.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Buy non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup (the kind made for coffee and drinks), not creme de menthe liqueur, which contains alcohol.
It is made with non-alcoholic mint syrup, sometimes labeled creme de menthe syrup, rather than creme de menthe liqueur, so the whole family can drink it. A quick fresh-mint simple syrup adds real mint flavor. It is not Disney's official recipe, but it captures the same cool, minty, lemon-lime taste. It takes about 15 minutes of work plus chilling and serves 6.
Why You'll Love This Mint Julep
- Completely alcohol-free, so kids and adults can share a pitcher.
- Fresh and minty, with real mint in the syrup and a tangy lemon-lime finish.
- Make-ahead friendly: mix the pitcher hours ahead and pour over ice when you are ready.
What Is the Disneyland Mint Julep?
The Disneyland mint julep is a sweet, alcohol-free mint lemonade, long associated with New Orleans Square at Disneyland in California. It tastes like a cross between lemonade and limeade with a cool mint finish, and it is usually served over ice with a cherry, which is why it is a favorite on hot park days.
This is a homemade, inspired-by version rather than Disney's official recipe. It uses easy-to-find ingredients and adds a fresh-mint simple syrup for a brighter mint flavor.
Mint Julep vs. Disneyland Mint Julep
A classic mint julep is a cocktail made with bourbon, sugar and fresh mint, packed with crushed ice and traditionally served in a silver cup at the Kentucky Derby. The Disneyland-style drink shares the name, the mint and the ice, but contains no alcohol at all. If you like Southern-style whiskey drinks, try our drinks with Southern Comfort.
| Classic mint julep | Disneyland-style mint julep | |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Yes, bourbon | None |
| Base | Bourbon and simple syrup | Lemonade, limeade and mint syrup |
| Flavor | Strong, sweet, minty, oaky | Sweet-tart, minty, citrusy |
| Color | Amber | Pale green |
| Garnish | Mint bouquet | Mint, maraschino cherry, lime |
| Who can drink it | Adults of legal drinking age | Everyone |
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Check the syrup label. Use non-alcoholic creme de menthe or mint syrup from the coffee-syrup aisle. I keep a bottle in my pantry all summer. Creme de menthe liqueur contains alcohol and isn't right for this family drink.
- Steep, don't boil, the mint. Adding the mint off the heat keeps its flavor fresh and green. Boiling it makes it taste dull and grassy.
- Chill it well. The drink tastes sweeter when it's warm. Two hours in the fridge, plus plenty of ice, gives the crisp, refreshing flavor you want.
- Frost the glasses. Put the glasses in the freezer while the pitcher chills, so they bead up with frost when you pour.
- Adjust the sweetness. Taste before serving: add a squeeze of fresh lime juice if it is too sweet, or a splash more mint syrup for a stronger mint flavor.
Disneyland-Inspired Mint Julep (Non-Alcoholic)
6
servings10
minutes5
minutes215
kcal2
hours15
minutesA Disneyland-inspired, alcohol-free mint julep: a fresh-mint simple syrup mixed with non-alcoholic mint syrup and lemonade and limeade concentrates, chilled and poured over ice with a mint sprig, a maraschino cherry and a lime wedge.
Ingredients
- For the Mint Syrup Base
4 cups water
1 cup granulated sugar
6 fresh mint sprigs
- For the Drink
1/2 cup non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup (mint syrup)
1/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
2 to 3 drops green food coloring (optional)
- To Serve
6 cups ice cubes or crushed ice
6 fresh mint sprigs
6 maraschino cherries
6 lime wedges
Directions
- Make the Mint Syrup Base
- Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring, and simmer for 5 minutes until the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Take the pan off the heat, add 6 fresh mint sprigs, push them under and let them steep for 10 minutes. Remove and discard the mint.
- Mix and Chill
- Pour the warm syrup into a large pitcher. Stir in the non-alcoholic mint syrup, the lemonade concentrate, the limeade concentrate and a few drops of green food coloring if you like.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until very cold. Stir before serving.
- Serve
- Fill 6 glasses with ice and pour in the mint julep. Garnish each with a mint sprig, a maraschino cherry and a lime wedge, and serve with a straw.
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
Variations
- Frozen mint julep: blend the chilled mixture with about 4 cups of ice until slushy. It’s the version I make on hot afternoons.
- Sparkling: fill glasses two-thirds full and top with cold club soda or lemon-lime soda.
- Lighter: use a sugar-free mint syrup and replace half the sugar with a sugar substitute that dissolves in hot water.
- No food coloring: skip it. The drink will be pale yellow-green instead of bright green, with the same flavor.
- No concentrates: use 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, plus an extra 1/4 cup sugar.
Serve It with More Disney-Inspired Treats
Lucy and Max call it a park day at home when I pair it with our Disney churros, Disneyland corn dogs, Dole Whip and churro waffles. For more alcohol-free drinks, try our butterbeer, Cinderella mocktail or cherry limeade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Disneyland mint julep alcoholic?
No. The mint julep sold at Disneyland is a non-alcoholic drink, and this inspired-by recipe is alcohol-free too. It gets its mint flavor and green color from non-alcoholic mint syrup and fresh mint, not from bourbon or creme de menthe liqueur.
How is it different from a classic mint julep?
A classic mint julep is a bourbon cocktail: bourbon, sugar and fresh mint served over crushed ice, best known as the drink of the Kentucky Derby. The Disneyland-style version keeps the mint and the crushed ice but swaps the bourbon for lemonade, limeade and mint syrup.
What is creme de menthe syrup?
It is a sweet, mint-flavored syrup made for coffee, sodas and desserts, sold alongside vanilla and caramel syrups. Unlike creme de menthe liqueur, it contains no alcohol. Any green mint syrup works in this recipe.
Can I make a frozen mint julep?
Yes. Blend the chilled mixture with about 4 cups of ice until smooth and slushy, then pour into glasses and garnish with mint, a cherry and a lime wedge. Serve right away, before it starts to separate.
How long does the mint julep keep?
Without ice, the mixture keeps in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir before serving and add ice only to the glasses, so the pitcher doesn't water down.
){kind=link}