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If you are looking for a delightfully refreshing, non-alcoholic drink to get you through all of the hot summer days ahead, this Mint Julep is it! The cool flavorings of mint, cherry, and lemon mix together to create an array of flavors that will satisfy your thirst!
If you are a huge fan of Disneyland like I am, then you must try my other copycat recipes! These beignets, this Monte Cristo sandwich, and this TO DIE FOR churro toffee (it’s seriously the best treat EVER!) are all things you must try!
What is a Mint Julep?
This mint julep is a nonalcoholic lemonade/limeade drink. It is by far the most refreshing drink that you can make to cool off and taste delicious! I know that this is made everywhere, but my favorite version of it that I have had so far is at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. (You can also order beignets here, which is another story for another time but try them out!!) Because I loved it so much, I wanted to recreate it at home to have this delicious, thirst-quenching drink whenever I wanted!
This mint julep recipe turned out SO good. It has all of the ingredients that you want on a hot summer day. The base is made up of lemonade and club soda. Then, you make your own crème de menthe syrup with peppermint extract. Top it with some fresh lemons, mint springs, and maraschino cherries. The final product will blow you away, and you will have a recipe that you come back to over and over all year long! Trust me when I say that you don’t want to miss this!
Ingredients in Homemade Mint Julep
Buy these ingredients in bulk because you are going to love this drink! My kids go crazy over it during the summer and constantly ask me to make it. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.
- Water: This will be waht you dissolve your sugar in to begin making your homemade crème de menthe syrup.
- Granulated Sugar: This will balance out all of the tart flavors.
- Peppermint Extract: Trust me, you dont want to skip this, it’s my favorite part!
- Green Food Coloring: The food coloring is optional but I think it makes it look so good!
- Frozen Lemonade Concentrate: Thaw out your concentrate before you use it and it will mix in much easier.
- Fresh Lime Juice: I always suggest fresh lime juice because it adds a bright flavor to this
- Club Soda: I love the bit of carbonation added to the Mint Julep.
- Crushed Ice: My favorite to use is pebble ice but you can use any ice that you have on hand!
- Garnish: Mint sprigs, lemon slices and maraschino cherries to put on top and make it look pretty!
How to Make a Mint Julep at Home
Gather together your ingredients and whip up this delicious drink. In less than 10 minutes, you will be refreshed and ready for another!
- Dissolve sugar: In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Simmer over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool. Once cooled, add the peppermint extract and 1-2 drops of green food coloring to finish making your homemade crème de menthe syrup.
- Combine: In a large pitcher add the crème de menthe syrup, thawed lemonade concentrate, lime juice, club soda and ice. Stir and mix until well combined. Pour into individual glasses.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh mint leaves, lemon slices, and maraschino cherries.
Do I Have to Use Crushed Ice?
You don’t have to use crushed ice in a mint julep, but the point of the crushed ice is that it melts more quickly than cubes and then further dilutes the drink. I highly suggest using it!
Make it Ahead of Time!
I love to make this drink ahead of time and keep some in my fridge during the week throughout the summer months. My kids just come and grab some when they want, and I love having it at our disposal! It’s so refreshing and different from your classic lemonade!
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In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Simmer over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool. Once cooled, add the peppermint extract and 1-2 drops of green food coloring to finish making your homemade crème de menthe.
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In a large pitcher add the crème de menthe syrup, thawed lemonade concentrate, lime juice, club soda and ice. Mix until well combined. Pour into individual glasses.
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Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, lemon slices, and maraschino cherries.
Serves: 6
Calories152kcal (8%)Carbohydrates39g (13%)Protein1g (2%)Fat1g (2%)Saturated Fat1g (5%)Polyunsaturated Fat1gMonounsaturated Fat1gSodium41mg (2%)Potassium35mg (1%)Fiber1g (4%)Sugar37g (41%)Vitamin A5IUVitamin C6mg (7%)Calcium15mg (2%)Iron1mg (6%)
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
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