Mint Julep Mocktail with Lime
This Mint Julep Mocktail with Lime is a cold, fizzy, alcohol-free drink made with fresh mint, lime juice, simple syrup, crushed ice, and ginger ale or sparkling water. It is ready in about 5 minutes if your simple syrup is already made.
Servings: 16 mocktails
Calories: 54kcal
Equipment
- Muddler OR
Ingredients
For the simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
For one mint julep mocktail
- 8 to 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice about 1 lime
- Crushed ice
Instructions
To make the simple syrup:
- Combine the water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan.
- Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Transfer to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
To make one mint julep mocktail:
- Place 8 to 10 mint leaves in the bottom of a sturdy glass.
- Add the simple syrup and fresh lime juice.
- Use a muddler or the end of a rolling pin to gently press the mint into the syrup and lime juice until fragrant. Do not crush the mint into tiny pieces.
- Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice and stir well.
- Fill the glass the rest of the way with more crushed ice.
- Top with chilled ginger ale or sparkling water.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and a fresh mint sprig.
- Serve immediately.
To make an 8-serving pitcher:
- Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a large pitcher.
- Add the simple syrup and fresh lime juice.
- Gently muddle the mint until fragrant.
- Stir in the chilled ginger ale or sparkling water right before serving.
- Fill glasses with crushed ice.
- Pour the mint julep mocktail mixture over the ice.
- Garnish each glass with a lime wheel and fresh mint sprig.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh lime juice instead of bottled.
- Muddle the mint gently. Pressing too hard can make the mint taste bitter.
- Crushed ice is best for this drink. If you do not have crushed ice, place ice cubes in a clean kitchen towel and crush them with a rolling pin or meat mallet.
- Ginger ale will make the drink sweeter. Sparkling water will make it lighter and less sweet.
- Add ginger ale or sparkling water right before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
- Simple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Prepared mocktails are best served right away and do not store well once mixed with ice and bubbles.
How to make a pitcher for 8 servings
It's easiest to make a batch of mint julep mocktails by stareting with a mint simple syrup. To make it combine ⅔ cup granulated sugar and ⅔ cup water in a small saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat, add a generous handful of fresh mint leaves, and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes before straining and cooling. Add 8 ounces of the mint simple syrup and 8 ounces of fresh lime juice, or a quality bottled lime juice, to a pitcher and stir well. Fill each glass with crushed ice, then pour in enough of the mocktail base to fill the glass halfway. Top with ginger ale, ginger beer, or sparkling water, and garnish with a lime wheel and fresh mint. For the best bubbles, wait to add the carbonated beverage until just before serving.Nutrition
Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.03g | Fat: 0.05g | Saturated Fat: 0.001g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 0.05g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
