Disneyland-Inspired Mint Julep Mocktail Recipe

Is there anything more refreshing than a sweet, minty lemon-lime drink on a hot day? This non-alcoholic mint julep inspired by Disneyland is just that—bright, fizzy, and perfect for warm afternoons.

With summer already arriving in New Mexico, this drink is my go-to quick pick-me-up. The combination of mint, lemon, and lime creates a bright, balanced flavor that’s hard to resist. It also brings back memories of strolling through Disneyland, which makes sipping it even more enjoyable.

This recipe makes extra Crème de Menthe simple syrup and Mint Julep syrup so you can store them in the refrigerator and mix fresh batches whenever you want.

How to make a Disneyland-inspired non-alcoholic mint julep

• Make the Crème de Menthe simple syrup: In a small saucepan combine ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat, let cool completely, then stir in ½ teaspoon peppermint extract.

• Make the Mint Julep syrup: In a medium saucepan combine 2 cups water and 1½ cups sugar over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup lime juice and 6 oz frozen lemonade concentrate, then bring the mixture to a boil.

• After the mixture boils, remove it from heat and stir in ¼ cup of the prepared Crème de Menthe syrup. Allow the Mint Julep syrup to cool completely before using.
• To assemble the drink, combine 1 part Mint Julep syrup with 5 parts water (for example, 2 cups syrup to 10 cups water). Add ice and, if desired, top with club soda for a fizzy finish. Stir and serve chilled.

Why make your own Crème de Menthe syrup?

Many store-bought crème de menthe products contain alcohol. If you buy one ready-made, check the label carefully and choose a non-alcoholic version if you want to keep this drink alcohol-free. Making your own simple syrup is quick and lets you control sweetness and mint intensity.

Growing up in Northern California, our family trips to Disneyland are full of warm memories—especially treats and drinks from New Orleans Square. This mint julep captures a bit of that nostalgic flavor, without the alcohol.

This julep pairs nicely with grilled or smoked meats but is just as good kept chilled in the fridge for a refreshing drink on demand. Even if you’ve never been to Disneyland, the bright, minty-citrus flavor is worth trying.

Storage

Store both the Crème de Menthe simple syrup and the Mint Julep syrup in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Properly stored, they will keep for several weeks, making it easy to mix a refreshing batch whenever you like.

I hope you enjoy this non-alcoholic mint julep as much as I do. It always brings back happy memories of family visits to the park. If you try it, please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Easy Mint Julep inspired by Disneyland (Non-Alcoholic)

A Disney-inspired mint julep with refreshing mint, lemon, and lime flavors—perfect for a hot day.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Cooling Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 12 cups

Ingredients

Non-Alcoholic Crème de Menthe Simple Syrup

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Mint Julep Syrup

• 1½ cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup lime juice
• 6 oz frozen lemonade concentrate
• ¼ cup Crème de Menthe syrup

Mint Julep

• 2 cups Mint Julep syrup
• 5 cups water
• 5 cups club soda (optional)
• Ice
• Garnish: lemon, mint leaves, maraschino cherries

Instructions

Crème de Menthe Simple Syrup

1. In a small pot, dissolve ½ cup sugar in ½ cup water over medium heat and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cool completely.
2. Stir in ½ teaspoon peppermint extract once the syrup has cooled.

Mint Julep Syrup

1. In a medium pot, dissolve 1½ cups sugar in 2 cups water over medium heat.
2. Add 1 cup lime juice and 6 oz frozen lemonade concentrate, then bring to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup Crème de Menthe syrup. Let cool completely.

Mint Julep Drink

1. Combine 1 part Mint Julep syrup to 5 parts water (example: 2 cups syrup to 10 cups water). Add ice and stir.
2. Optional: replace part of the water with club soda for carbonation.
3. Garnish with lemon slices, fresh mint leaves, and maraschino cherries. Serve chilled.

Notes

Tips and Tricks

• You can buy non-alcoholic Crème de Menthe syrup if you prefer, but check the label to ensure it’s alcohol-free.
• Use club soda for a fizzy texture if you like carbonation; otherwise use plain water.
• Serve the drink very cold and add plenty of ice for the most refreshing result.
• Different copycat recipes use similar ingredients with varying ratios; feel free to adjust sweetness or mint intensity to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 97 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 25 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 1 g |
Sugar: 24 g

This post was updated with new pictures on 6/24/2024.