The mint julep is rooted in Southern tradition and summer heat. Long before it became synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, it was a practical drink. Whiskey stretched with water, softened by sugar, and cooled with crushed ice. Mint came later, discovered along the way and added because it made the drink better.
What mattered then still matters now. Relief. Balance. Something that slows you down when the day is heavy.
This alcohol-free mint julep keeps the structure and ritual of the original, without the expectation that it needs to lead anywhere else.
Alcohol-Free Mint Julep Recipe
Ingredients
8 fresh mint leaves
¼ ounce simple syrup
2 ounces non-alcoholic whiskey
Crushed ice
Fresh mint sprig, for garnish
Optional: a few drops of non-alcoholic bitters
Instructions
Place the mint leaves and simple syrup in a lowball glass or julep cup. Gently muddle, just enough to release the aroma. Do not crush the leaves. Add the non-alcoholic whiskey, then pack the glass tightly with crushed ice. Stir until the outside of the glass feels cold and begins to frost. Top with more crushed ice to form a soft dome. Garnish with a mint sprig and add bitters if using.
A note on mint
Mint rewards restraint. Bruising it too aggressively can turn a bright, cooling flavor into something sharp and vegetal. Gentle pressure is enough. The goal is aroma, not extraction.
Ways to make it your own
Traditionally, mint juleps were less about speed and more about experience.
Skip the straw and use a spoon, letting the drink melt slowly as you sip
Drop a fresh cherry, peach slice, or strawberry into the glass before topping with ice
Add a few drops of non-alcoholic bitters for depth and structure
Each variation keeps the drink grounded while allowing it to evolve as the ice melts.
If this drink met you where you are, there’s more where it came from.
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