Refreshing Mint Julep Mocktail Recipe Easy Non-Alcoholic Derby Drink
A refreshing and easy-to-make non-alcoholic mint julep mocktail that captures the essence of a Southern classic with fresh mint, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Ingredients
Scale
- 10–12 fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz (30 ml) simple syrup
- 1 cup (240 ml) crushed ice
- 3–4 oz (90–120 ml) sparkling water
- Lemon wheel or mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse 10-12 fresh mint leaves gently under cold water and pat dry.
- Place the mint leaves in your glass and gently muddle about 5-7 times to release oils without bruising too much.
- Pour 1 oz fresh lemon juice and 1 oz simple syrup over the muddled mint and stir gently to combine.
- Fill the glass almost to the top with about 1 cup crushed ice.
- Pour 3-4 oz chilled sparkling water over the ice and stir lightly to blend flavors without bruising the mint further.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a lemon wheel on the rim of the glass and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not over-muddle the mint to avoid bitterness. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. Crushed ice chills the drink quickly and dilutes it just right. Chill your glass beforehand for a cooler drink. For batch preparation, muddle mint and mix lemon juice with simple syrup in a pitcher, then add ice and sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 8 oz)
- Calories: 5070
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 0.5
Keywords: mint julep mocktail, non-alcoholic drink, derby drink, refreshing mocktail, summer beverage, mint drink, easy mocktail