Kentucky Derby Mini Mint Julep (Printable)

Crisp mint and citrus combine with ginger ale for a cool, festive Southern drink.

# Ingredient List:

→ Mint Syrup

01 - 1/2 cup water
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed

→ Mocktail Assembly

04 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
05 - 2 cups crushed ice
06 - 2 cups chilled ginger ale, gluten-free
07 - Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
08 - Lemon slices for garnish

# Directions:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Add mint leaves and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain through fine mesh and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - Pour cooled mint syrup into a pitcher and add freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir thoroughly to blend flavors.
03 - Divide crushed ice evenly among 6 mini julep cups or small glasses, filling each cup approximately three-quarters full.
04 - Pour mint syrup and lemon juice mixture over the ice, filling each glass to the halfway point.
05 - Top each glass with chilled ginger ale and gently stir to combine all ingredients.
06 - Garnish each mocktail with a fresh mint sprig and lemon slice. Serve immediately with short straws.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like celebration without any of the fuss or the hangover guilt the next morning.
  • Making the mint syrup feels like you're creating something fancy, but it's genuinely just boiling water and letting nature do the work.
  • Kids and grandparents can actually enjoy the same drink together, which solves half your party planning problems right there.
02 -
  • If you don't cool the mint syrup all the way, it'll melt your ice too fast and you'll end up with a watered-down drink halfway through—I learned this the hard way at someone else's party.
  • The mint will continue to steep in the syrup as it cools, so don't be tempted to leave the leaves in longer than ten minutes or the flavor flips from fresh to bitter.
03 -
  • Chill your ginger ale overnight in the coldest part of your fridge; this single step makes more difference than you'd expect.
  • Make your mint syrup the morning of your gathering so it's cool and ready without any extra wait time when guests arrive.
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