Kentucky Derby Mini Mint (View Print Version)

A refreshing Southern-inspired mint and lemon drink, crisp and sweet with a gentle sparkle.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mint Syrup

01 - 1/2 cup water
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish

→ Mocktail Assembly

04 - 2 cups crushed ice
05 - 1 1/2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
06 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 1/2 cup unsweetened or lightly sweetened apple juice
08 - Lemon slices for garnish

# Method:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, add mint leaves, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain through fine mesh and let cool to room temperature.
02 - Fill mini julep cups or small glasses with crushed ice. Add 1 tablespoon of cooled mint syrup to each glass.
03 - Pour 1/4 cup sparkling water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon apple juice into each glass. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
04 - Top each mocktail with fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices. Serve immediately with straws.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The mint syrup is so easy to make and tastes infinitely better than anything bottled—your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible while it steeps.
  • These come together in about 10 minutes, so you can focus on the fun stuff instead of spending hours in the kitchen on celebration day.
  • Kids actually get excited about drinking something that feels grown-up and special, which is half the battle right there.
02 -
  • Don't skip straining the mint or you'll end up with leaf fragments floating around—it only takes a minute with a fine mesh strainer and makes all the difference in the final presentation.
  • The ratio of syrup to other ingredients is forgiving, so taste as you go; some people want it sweeter, others want more tartness, and there's no wrong answer once you know what you like.
03 -
  • Slightly bruise your fresh mint leaves with your fingers before adding them to the syrup—this releases even more flavor and deepens that gorgeous green color.
  • Keep your sparkling water in the coldest part of your fridge and add it last, right when someone's about to drink, so you don't lose a single bubble of fizz to time.
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