Updated April 2026. Everything about the Disneyland Mint Julep — where it is served, what is actually in it, whether it contains alcohol, and how to make it at home.
The Mint Julep is one of the most iconic drinks at Disneyland and one of the most misunderstood. Guests who have never had one often assume it is alcoholic. It is not. The Disneyland Mint Julep is a non-alcoholic lemon-lime drink with a hint of mint — refreshing, slightly sweet, and one of the best things to drink on a hot Anaheim afternoon. It has been on the menu in New Orleans Square since 1966.
Where to Get a Mint Julep at Disneyland
The Mint Julep is served at three locations in New Orleans Square, all inside Disneyland Park:
Mint Julep Bar — the original location, open since 1966. An outdoor counter-service bar in the garden patio area of Tiana’s Palace. This is the most well-known spot and where most guests get their first Mint Julep. Mickey-shaped beignets are also served here, making the Mint Julep Bar one of the best snack stops in the entire park. Mobile order is available through the Disneyland app.
Cafe Orleans — the table-service restaurant in New Orleans Square serves Mint Juleps as well. The drink pairs perfectly with the Pommes Frites and works well as a meal accompaniment rather than just a standalone snack stop.
Blue Bayou Restaurant — the iconic dinner-on-the-bayou restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean building also serves Mint Juleps. Note that Blue Bayou is closed for refurbishment from May 4 through late May 2026.
The Mint Julep Bar is the easiest option — no reservation needed, quick service, and you can enjoy it while walking through New Orleans Square or sitting at one of the outdoor tables nearby.
Is the Disneyland Mint Julep Alcoholic?
No. The Disneyland Mint Julep is completely non-alcoholic and is appropriate for all ages. Despite the name, this is not the traditional Kentucky bourbon-based mint julep. It is a non-alcoholic mocktail made from lemonade, limeade, mint syrup, and a touch of non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup for flavor and color.
The one exception: Club 33, the members-only club at Disneyland, serves a version spiked with bourbon. That version is not available to regular park guests.
What Does the Disneyland Mint Julep Taste Like?
The Disneyland Mint Julep tastes like a mint lemonade with a gentle lime undertone. It is sweet, slightly tart, and lightly minty without being overwhelming. The mint flavor is subtle rather than sharp — more like a hint of mint in a lemonade than a strong peppermint flavor. Served over crushed ice, it is genuinely one of the most refreshing drinks in either park on a warm day.
The drink has a pale green color from the creme de menthe syrup. It is garnished with a fresh mint sprig, a maraschino cherry, and a slice of lemon or lime. The presentation is part of the appeal — it looks as good as it tastes.
A Brief History
The Mint Julep Bar opened in New Orleans Square in 1966, making the Disneyland Mint Julep one of the oldest continuously served specialty drinks at any Disney park. New Orleans Square itself opened that same year, and the Mint Julep was part of the original concept — bringing the flavors and atmosphere of the American South to the park.
The drink has remained on the menu for nearly 60 years with few changes to the core recipe, which is a remarkable run for any theme park food item.
Seasonal and Specialty Mint Julep Variations
Disneyland periodically offers seasonal Mint Julep variations tied to celebrations and events. Recent examples have included:
- Mango and Peach Mint Julep — flavored with mango and topped with peach puree and diced mango
- Strawberry Mint Julep — with strawberry flavoring added to the base drink
- Holiday seasonal variations — often appear during Halloween Time and the Christmas season
The classic version is available year-round. Seasonal variations appear and disappear — check the Disneyland app on the day of your visit to see what specialty options are currently available at the Mint Julep Bar.
Disneyland Mint Julep Copycat Recipe
The official Disneyland recipe has been shared with guests at City Hall on Main Street upon request over the years. The key ingredients are non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup, frozen lemonade concentrate, and frozen limeade concentrate. This is the closest home version to the original.
Ingredients (makes about 1 gallon — enough for 8-10 servings):
- 3/4 cup non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup (not creme de menthe liqueur — find it at specialty grocery stores or online. DaVinci Gourmet makes a widely available version.)
- 1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 1 can (12 oz) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Chilled water to taste (approximately 5-6 cups to dilute the syrup)
- Club soda (optional — adds light carbonation)
- Crushed ice for serving
- Fresh mint sprigs, maraschino cherries, and lime slices to garnish
Instructions:
Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Add the frozen lemonade and limeade concentrates and stir to combine. Heat to just below boiling — around 210°F — stirring constantly. Do not let it fully boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Stir in the creme de menthe syrup once cooled.
To serve, mix 1 part of the chilled syrup with 5 parts chilled water, or adjust to your taste. For a lightly sparkling version, replace some or all of the water with club soda. Serve immediately over crushed ice and garnish with a fresh mint sprig, maraschino cherry, and a lime slice.
The syrup base stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Mix with water just before serving — the carbonation fades quickly if you mix with club soda in advance.
Key tips:
- Use non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup, not creme de menthe liqueur. They look similar at the store but are very different products.
- Use frozen lemonade concentrate rather than regular lemon juice — the concentrate is much more potent and gives the right flavor balance.
- Crushed ice melts faster than cubes and slightly dilutes the drink as you sip, which is intentional — it keeps the drink from becoming too sweet as the ice melts.
- The syrup is quite concentrated. Start with a 1:5 ratio of syrup to water and adjust from there based on how sweet you want it.
Quick single-serving version: If you want to make just one glass quickly without making a full batch of syrup, combine 2 tablespoons of mint simple syrup (1 cup water plus 1 cup sugar brought to a boil, then cooled with a few drops of mint extract stirred in), 3 tablespoons lemonade concentrate, 1 tablespoon limeade concentrate, and top with cold water or club soda over crushed ice. Garnish and serve.
Planning your full Disneyland food experience? The Mint Julep pairs perfectly with the Mickey beignets from the same Mint Julep Bar — see our Enchanted Insider Disneyland Itinerary Guide for dining recommendations, snack stops, and day-by-day plans updated for 2026.