The next time you visit The Happiest Place on Earth, make sure you grab yourself a Disneyland Mint Julep before heading into the Haunted Mansion.
The first time I ever heard of a Mint Julep, I was just a kid. My whole family was crowded around our television for the Sunday Night Movie, and that evening it was the James Bond classic, Goldfinger. At one point, Bond and the titular villain are enjoying a few tart Juleps while discussing the latter’s plans to irradiate Fort Knox.
Cut to many, many years later to this past October. My brother flew out to visit me here in Los Angeles, California, where we spent a few days together carousing around Disneyland. I had been there before, while it was my brother’s first time. We did everything we could, from the minute the park opened until it closed. Those were a long couple of days and nights, but it was so much fun and filled with memories that will last forever. I sound like a commercial, but it’s true!
During our second day there, we spent quite a bit of time in New Orleans Square. Two of our all-time favorite rides are in that section of the park: the legendary Pirates of the Caribbean and equally iconic Haunted Mansion. After being on our feet for hours, we decided it was time to take a break and grab a little refreshment. We stopped at the appropriately named Mint Julep Bar for some fresh Mickey beignets and, what else, a few Mint Juleps. We were already imbibing throughout the day, starting with a few mimosa flights at our breakfast with Goofy.
Taking a load off, we quickly guzzled our delicious tipples, which hit the spot as the hot sun beat down upon us. After another round we soon figured out that these were—GASP!—non-alcoholic beverages! And that was totally fine by us. We relished in the sweet and minty flavors and marveled at how invigorated we felt after a few of them. You don’t need booze to have a good time, and Disneyland’s Mint Julep is delicious proof of that.
And that made me wonder about James Bond. If he ever visited Disneyland, would he have enjoyed one of these, despite being liquor-free? A quick internet search made my eyes bulge. It turns out, while secret agent 007 hasn’t been to the park in Anaheim, he has indeed adventured at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, within the pages of John Gardner’s continuation novel Never Send Flowers. Even Bond enjoys a trip on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use in a Disneyland Mint Julep?
In this instance, with this being a virginal cocktail, no liquor is used at all in the recipe. While some drink enthusiasts might scoff and turn their nose up at an alcohol-free mixture such as this, let’s remember that there are those of us who can’t or won’t indulge in spirits but still want to partake in the festivities. Sometimes I like to take an extended break from drinking, so treats like the Disneyland Mint Julep are a great way to still have fun and not feel left out.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 8 cups water
- 1 cup mint-flavored syrup
- 1/3 cup lemonade concentrate thawed
- 1/3 cup limeade concentrate thawed
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the sugar water to a large pitcher. Stir in the mint-flavored syrup, lemonade concentrate, and limeade concentrate until well combined.
- Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill until the mixture is completely cooled, approximately 30 minutes.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the chilled Mint Julep mixture over the ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice, a sprig of fresh mint, and a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
What kind of glass and garnish is used for a Disneyland Mint Julep?
Any rocks glass or highball glass will serve you just fine when making these at home. If you’re lucky enough to have a souvenir cup from the park, use that and have a little fun with it. Garnish with a slice of lemon, a cherry, and a fresh sprig of mint to complete the look. Mickey Mouse ears are optional but welcome.
Can you make this mocktail an alcoholic beverage?
Why yes, just add the alcohol. If you want this recipe to have a little kick, pour in around 2 1/2 ounces of your preferred bourbon with the other ingredients.
Similar Drinks to the Disneyland Mint Julep
Whenever I visit Disneyland or California Adventure I wish that I could stay there forever. Discovering how you can make some of their world-famous and delicious treats is a great way to bring some of the magic home with you. If you’re looking for more tasty ideas to add to your home bar’s menu—be they virgin or spirited drinks—Twist & Toast has the recipes for you. Check out a few of them here, then explore the site for even more ideas.
- Mint Julep – Try your hand at making the classic Southern favorite this weekend and you’ll see why it’s the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
- Whiskey Smash – Muddled lemons feature in this minty, strong, and refreshing tipple.
- Virgin Margarita – No booze is needed for this thirst-quenching concoction.
- Jalapeño Paloma Mocktail – Have a few of these spicy, ice-cold, and alcohol-free refreshments the next time you’re lounging by the pool.
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