Are you looking for a refreshing drink to enjoy on a hot summer day? Enjoy this remake of Disney's famous green mint julep. It's completely non alcoholic, so the whole family can enjoy it over and over again. Trust me--you'll want a refill!
Looking for more refreshing cold drinks? You'll definitely want to try this Arnold Palmer drink and this lime and mint drink.
About
This drink is one of Disneyland's most popular kid friendly drinks and has been served in New Orleans Square since 1966.
My recipe is inspired by the traditional drink served at Disneyland. It's got the classic green color due to the creme de menthe, unlike the new one which is yellow. It also has the classic garnish of sword-pierced cherries and a lemon wedge with a mint sprig nestled next to the straw.
The new version's garnish has been simplified and the cherries have disappeared. Our version has hints of lime, lemon, and mint. Serve it in a tall, clear glass with crushed ice and with a traditional red straw.
Ingredients
Let's talk about the key ingredients in this mint julep recipe. You don't need much to whip up this tasty drink!
- Creme de Menthe: This non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup gives this drink its signature green hue and mint flavor.
- Mint-Infused Simple Syrup: You can use plain simple syrup or one infused with fresh mint for a natural flavor.
- Sparkling Water: This bubbly liquid dilutes the juices and syrups and adds carbonation.
- Frozen Lemonade & Limeade Concentrate: These concentrated fruit juices add tang and sweetness to the drink.
How to Make
- Make a simple syrup by stirring together 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add ½ cup of fresh, chopped mint, cover, and let it steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour on the counter. Strain out the mint leaves.
3. To make the homemade creme de menthe, make a simple syrup of 1 cup water to 1 cup sugar. Pour the hot simple syrup into a container and place in the freezer for 15 minutes. The larger the surface area, the quicker it will cool. Once chilled, add two teaspoons of peppermint extract.
4. For the traditional look, stir in a few drops of green food coloring. Pour into a glass jar, seal tightly with a lid, and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
5. Start by pouring the simple syrup or the infused simple syrup into a 15-ounce glass.
6. Next, add the frozen lemonade and limeade from concentrate.
7. To get the signature color, add the creme de menthe syrup.
8. Give the drink a stir, then pour in the sparkling water. Actually, it's traditional to use still water, but sparkling water gives the drink a special touch.
9. Gently stir with a long handled spoon, then garnish with a red straw, lemon slice, maraschino cherries, and a sprig of fresh mint.
10. Enjoy right away!
Recipe FAQs
What is creme de menthe?
Creme de menthe (a French term that means mint cream) comes in two versions: alcoholic and non alcoholic. The name is a bit deceiving because it's not creamy.
Creme de menthe is just a simple syrup with peppermint extract. Traditionally, it has green dye in it, but it can also be purchased without it so it will look clear.
It is used for making green desserts and mint flavored beverages. You can purchase non alcoholic creme de menthe at your grocery store, local coffee shop, or online. If you prefer to make your own, it's super simple.
What ingredients are in the traditional Disney's mint julep?
- Creme de menthe (non alcoholic)
- Simple syrup (plain or mint infused)
- Frozen lemonade from concentrate
- Frozen limeade from concentrate
- Water or sparkling mineral water
- Crushed ice
- Garnish (lemon wedge, maraschino cherries, mint sprig)
How many calories are in this drink?
In a 15 fl. oz drink, there are 312 calories. This drink has a small amount of vitamin C and a bit of calcium. For more nutritional information, scroll past the recipe card.
Expert Tips
- Use homemade creme de menthe to get the same flavor profile as the recipe. Store-bought will taste different.
- If making a large pitcher, add the sparkling mineral water just before serving.
- If making for a party, have separate bowls for the lemon wedges, maraschino cherries, mint sprigs and bamboo skewers.
Note: this drink is a remake of a popular Disneyland beverage which caters to kids. It has no alcohol in it, and the only resemblance to the real thing is the crushed ice and the fresh mint sprig.
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Recipe
Non Alcoholic Mint Julep Recipe
Ingredients
For One Drink (15 ounces)
- 5 tablespoons simple syrup or infused simple syrup, chilled (2.5 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon frozen lemonade from concentrate, 1.1 ounce
- 4 teaspoons frozen limeade from concentrate, 0.6 ounce
- 2 tablespoons homemade creme de menthe, chilled (1 ounce)
- 1 cup sparkling mineral water, chilled (8 ounces)
- ¼ cup crushed ice, optional
For a Pitcher (Serves 4)
- 1 ¼ cups simple syrup or infused simple syrup, 10 ounces
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon frozen concentrated lemonade, 4.5 ounces
- ⅓ cup frozen concentrated limeade, 2.6 ounces
- ½ cup homemade creme de menthe, 4 ounces
- 4 cups sparkling mineral water, 32 ounces
- 1 cup crushed ice
For the Garnish
- 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges, seeds removed
- 2 maraschino cherries, without stems
- 1 mint sprig
- 1 bamboo skewer
- 1 or 2 straws per glass
Instructions
Mixing an Individual Serving (15 ounces)
- In a 15 ounce glass, pour in 5 tablespoons of chilled simple syrup or the mint infused simple syrup.
- Add 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon of frozen concentrated lemonade and 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of frozen concentrated limeade. Stir with a long handled spoon.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of chilled homemade creme de menthe and stir to mix. You'll see the color start changing.
- Pour in 1 cup or 8 ounces of sparkling mineral water. Gently stir. Now it should be the color of the traditional one (prior 2017) from Disneyland's Mint Julep Bar in New Orlean's Square.
- Add crushed ice, the lemon/cherry skewer, a mint sprig, and one or two red straws.
Mixing a Pitcher for a Party (4 servings)
- Pour in the 1 ¼ cups simple syrup or the mint infused simple syrup. Add the ½ cup of frozen lemonade and the ⅓ cup of frozen lemonade. Pour in ½ cup of homemade creme de menthe. Stir until well combined. Add 4 cups of sparkling mineral water and gently stir. Add ¼ cup of crushed ice to each of the 4 glasses. Pour mint julep over top the crushed ice.
- If using for a party, add the sparkling mineral water just before serving with the crushed ice on the side.
Garnishing the Drink
- Take a lemon wedge and pierce the bamboo skewer through the rind. Take it off the skewer. Put the maraschino cherries on the skewer, then put the lemon wedge back on the skewer.
- Add a straw or two to your glass, then nestle a mint sprig right beside the straw. This way you can smell it when you take a drink. Serve immediately.
Notes
- To make the mint infused simple syrup, pour 1 cup of water (236 ml) and 1 cup of sugar (200g) into a small saucepan. Set over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and pour the hot syrup over ½ cup of chopped fresh mint. Cover and let steep 30 minutes to 1 hour, then strain out the herb. Pour into a glass jar and keep covered in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- To make the homemade creme de menthe, make a simple syrup with 1 cup water (236 ml) and 1 cup sugar (200g). Pour into a container and let it cool completely. (To speed this up, place in the freezer for 15 minutes.) Stir in 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring. Pour into a glass jar and keep covered in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- If you use store bought creme de menthe, you won't have the same flavor profile as the recipe.
- Add the sparkling mineral water just before serving, if you plan to make a large pitcher.
- Set out separate bowls for the lemon wedges, maraschino cherries, mint sprigs and bamboo skewers, if making for a party.
Alex
The frozen lemonade and limeade really go well with the mint flavor. I like this minty drink with the red cherries. It's really good!
Emma
Thanks, Alex! The tart citrus and mint flavors do taste nice together.