Beat the heat with this refreshing Virgin Mint Julep! This non-alcoholic twist on a classic cocktail is made with a simple mint syrup, lemonade, club soda and plenty of ice. A Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby – and I’m turning it into a kid-friendly non-alcoholic drink!

A refreshing glass of lemonade with a slice of lemon floating on top. A sprig of mint is placed at the rim. A whole lemon and another glass of lemonade are in the background on a light, textured surface.

This Virgin Mint Julep is the perfect summer cooler! It’s light, refreshing, and has that iconic minty flavor that screams warm weather. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy a sophisticated drink without any alcohol. This is Disneyland’s mint julep recipe – the one they sell in New Orleans Square and it’s one of the best mocktail recipes I’ve ever had.

And the best part? It’s so easy to make! The mint syrup comes together in minutes, and you can even make a big batch to keep in the fridge for impromptu mocktails all summer long. Skip muddling and make the syrup, you won’t be sorry.

A bottle of Simply Lemonade, a can of club soda, a measuring cup with liquid, and a small glass with fresh mint leaves are arranged on a light surface. The background features a white tiled wall.

How to make a Virgin Mint Julep

You’ll need mint syrup, which is basically simple syrup infused with mint. It’s easy to make from scratch.
Use your favorite kind/brand of lemonade. You could even make your own with lemonade concentrate.
You can use club soda, seltzer, sparkling water, or even lemon lime soda.
Basically you just pour everything over crushed ice and garnish with mint.

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

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A glass of lemonade with a lemon slice and mint sprig on top sits on a gray surface. Another glass and a bunch of mint leaves are in the background. Sliced lemons are placed next to the glass.

Variations and Substitutions

Use lime juice or limeade.
Add cherries for garnish.
Add other juices for flavor – cranberry juice or pomegranate juice.
Instead of club soda use ginger ale or lemon lime soda.

Expert Tip

Don’t skip making the mint syrup. It’s worth the extra time! From scratch syrups (like triple sec) are easy to make and make your drink taste so much better.
Love spicy? You could mix it up and make a spicy mint julep (like my spicy pom lemonade!)
The classic mint julep is served in a julep cup but I think this pretty highball glass is better (and I didn’t have to buy another glass!)