Make Alcohol-Free Mint Juleps for Your Kentucky Derby Party

Served in distinctive silver cups and garnished with mint leaves, the mint julep is the signature drink of any Kentucky Derby celebration. But, what if you--or some of your Derby party guests--don't drink alcohol, yet don't want to feel left out of the fun?

The solution is simple: mix up a batch of these alcohol-free mint juleps, as a coolly delicious alternative to the traditional alcohol-based drink!

ALCOHOL-FREE MINT JULEPS (6 servings)

Ingredients

3/4 cup water
3/4 cup white sugar
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint leaves
6 cups crushed ice
1 1/2 cups prepared lemonade
Fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices for garnish

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and 3 Tbsp. of chopped mint. Stir, and bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. (TIP: Do not burn the mixture.) Cook until sugar has dissolved, then remove from heat and set aside to cool, uncovered. After about an hour, pour mixture through strainer to remove the mint leaves.

Fill 6 cups or frozen goblets or beer glasses with crushed ice. Pour 1/4 cup of lemonade into each glass, and top with a splash of the sugar syrup. Garnish each with a mint spring and a lemon slice (TIP: the lemon will mark these Juleps as non-alcoholic, if you're also serving Juleps containing alcohol).