Mint Julep drinks are one of my favorite things to get at Disneyland. Cold and refreshing, with a hint of mint, lemon, and lime, they’re perfect for a hot summer day!
Homemade Disneyland mint julep has a refreshing flavor that is a rich tradition in the South! It has simple ingredients with some versatility with a beautiful presentation of color and garnish. This non-alcoholic mint julep drink is so fun to make and comes together in minutes!
If the happiest kingdom on earth has mint julep we just had to make it at home! This copycat mint julep tastes just like the original recipe in Disneyland. It is a popular and refreshing drink near New Orleans Square at the Mint Julep Bar. When you can be in this magical place on earth, make the homemade mint julep right at home!
This photo is of an original Mint Julep at Disneyland’s Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. Look how beautiful this drink is!
Copycat Disneyland Mint Julep
This Disneyland mint julep recipe is a copycat of the non-alcoholic drink, the Disneyland mint julep recipe served in New Orleans Square. Disneyland created a non-alcoholic version of the Mint Julep to bring a taste of the South to New Orleans Square. This version incorporates fresh lemon and lime flavors with minty simple syrup over crushed ice. Guests at Disneyland love it, and it has become one of Disneyland’s most famous drinks.
In addition to the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square, soon to be Tiana’s Palace from Princess and the Frog, you can also order these delicious drinks at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, Cafe Orleans, and the French Market Restaurant which are all located in New Orleans Square in Disneyland. Perfect with a side of Mickey-shaped beignets.
What is in a Non-Alcoholic Mint Julep
Find these simple ingredients in your local grocery store in the freezer section. Mint julep ingredients are one of a kind but make one of the best drinks out there! This is a cold and refreshing drink that is loved by kids to adults!
- Juice concentrate – Lemonade, limeade juice concentrate, or lime juice concentrate are mixed for the base of the mint julep recipe.
- Creme de menthe syrup – Sometimes this syrup can be hard to find. Normally you can find these syrups near the coffee section.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar balances out the flavors and adds a hint of sweetness to the drink.
- Mint leaves – Fresh mint leaves are the main ingredient! These mint leaves contribute aroma, color, and balanced sweetness.
- Garnish – When you are ready to serve your mint julet, you will want some lemon slices, fresh mint sprigs, maraschino cherries clear cups, and a straw for serving.
How to Make Copycat Disneyland Mint Julep Recipe
Don’t wait for a Disney trip! You can make these mint juleps right at home! They are super easy to mix. Instead of making them the traditional way, these are non-alcoholic Disneyland mint Julep drinks so they are perfect for all ages. You will still get the flavors of a classic mint julep recipe.
- Boil – Add sugar and water to a large saucepan. Bring the mix to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Pour – Cool for 5 minutes, then pour the mixture into a large pitcher.
- Combine – Add the creme de menthe syrup, frozen lemonade, and limeade concentrates. Add a little green food coloring and stir to mix.
- Chill – Refrigerate until completely cooled. Serve in a glass with some ice and garnish with lemon wedges, mint sprigs, and cherries.
Making a Homemade Mint Syrup
This mint syrup is so easy to make and infuses the fresh mint flavor into the sweet syrup. This combination is delicious and refreshing. It is easy to store and kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks
- Prepare – Have the mint leaves washed and remove all the dirt off of them. Place them on paper towels and dab dry.
- Muddle – A muddler is great to have on hand if you are pressing things down. Press the mint leaves into the muddler.
- Saucepan – Take one cup of water in 1 cup of sugar. You will want to heat this and tell it is well combined. It is best if you continue to stir it as it is beginning to boil and the sugar will dissolve.
- Syrup – Once the sugar dissolves you can add the maddle minty leaves to the saucepan and stir well. This will infuse the syrup with the minty fresh flavor. Let it cool and strain it to get the leaves out. This will leave you with a smooth mentee simple syrup
Tips for Making the Best Mint Julep
Follow these helpful tips to making mint julep even better! This mint julep beverage is fresh and tasty with the help of balancing out sweetness, finding the right syrup, and adding just enough mint. Your tastebuds will be thanking you!
- Fresh ingredients – Using the best and freshest ingredients for this mint julep recipe ensures a refreshing mocktail.
- Ice – Crushed ice cubes always make a difference in drinks! People love the pebble ice or shredded ice to this mint julep drink.
- Sweetness – Adjust the flavors to your liking! Add more sugar or mint to the drink as you go. Tasting is a MUST!
- Shops – Luckily, many coffee shops sell flavored syrups, so if you can’t find mint syrup at a grocery store, you can check out your local coffee shops for this ingredient. You can also find Creme de Menthe Syrup on Amazon.
- Making mint – You can also use these to create a minty simple syrup if you can’t find the creme de menthe syrup. Chop the leaves and use a wooden spoon to muddle or mush the leaves down to a paste. Add it to some water and syrup and bring to a boil. Cool and add a sprig of mint to your drink.
- Drinking – This mint julep recipe is a refreshing drink! It is meant to be sipped slowly to allow your taste buds to savor and enjoy the cooling sensation.
How to Serve an Easy Mint Julep
This gorgeous drink is best served in a clear glass or plastic cup, to show off the beautiful flavor and garnishes. However, if you want to make it fancier for a backyard party, a baby shower, or a dinner party, you can find cool glasses at second-hand stores.
Disneyland mint julep is so pretty in appearance as well as tastes amazing for those fun party days. Some ideas would be a traditional julep cup, pewter cups, old-fashioned glasses, or a double old-fashioned glass when you are showering your friends and family. For extra fun, line the rim of the glass with sugar.
“Tastes just like the one at Disney!! Really takes me back, thank you!”
-Sarah
Disneyland Mint Julep
Ingredients
Method
- Step 1: Add sugar and water to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat. Cool for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Pour the mixture into a large pitcher. Add the creme de menthe syrup and frozen lemonade and limeade concentrates.
- Step 3: Add a little green food coloring and stir to mix. Refrigerate until completely cooled, about 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Serve in a glass with some ice and garnish with lemon wedges, mint sprigs, and cherries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mint julep?
The traditional cocktail is made with bourbon or brandy or sometimes whiskey along with fresh mint leaves which you muddle together with simple syrup or sugar syrup. It is a popular drink in the southern United States where it was once thought to have medicinal properties. The Mint Julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938 and is especially popular on Derby Day (the first Saturday). Still today thousands are served over Derby Weekend at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
What is the difference between mint juleps and mojitos?
They are very similar, they both contain fresh mint and simple syrup, however, a mint julep doesn’t have any citrus juice and it uses bourbon instead of rum.
What are the traditional ingredients in a mint julep?
For a traditional mint julep, there is usually alcohol in it which is bourbon, mint leaves or extract, and sugar all mixed. Then ice to chill it!
What type of mint is best for mint julep?
There are a few varieties of mint such as mint leaves, peppermint, or spearmint. For this recipe, we used fresh mint leaves
Can I make mint julep ahead of time for a party?
Yes, making mint julep ahead of time is best. This allows the mint julep to enhance its flavor even more! It is best to enjoy this drink within 24 hours.
What is the ideal serving temperature for mint julep?
Cold! It is best to have this refreshing drink chilled and straight out of the refrigerator when serving.
How to Store Mint Julep in the Fridge
While you can make Disneyland mint julep ahead of time, it is best to enjoy it right away or the day of. It can easily be stored in the refrigerator in a pitcher. When ready to serve, stir the mint julep, garnish, and serve. Enjoy this fresh drink with friends and family!
More Disneyland Copycats Recipes
Try these and other refreshing summer drink recipes next time you’re looking to cool down. You kids will love this Harry Potter Butterbeer copycat, our Shirley Temples, or these yummy Five Minute Slushies. Adults and kids alike will enjoy all of our fun and fancy drink recipes. Try them all!
Interested in more Disney Recipes?
From Star Wars-themed Blue Milk recipe to more Disney foodie favorites, visit our recipe page!
This post originally appeared on Favorite Family Recipes.
