Green Tea Berry Mint Julep Recipe From EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival

Hey there, fellow Disney foodies! In honor of National Mint Julep Day, Disney Parks Blog recently opened the Disney Recipe Vault and shared this never-before-released recipe from EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Now, you can recreate this magic right in your own home, any time of year!

As Disney shared on their blog, mint juleps have been a cherished part of the Disneyland experience since 1966 when the Mint Julep Bar opened with New Orleans Square. This is where I was born and raised and in fact, my first EVER mint julep (and hundreds after) all came from the Mint Julep Bar, Cafe Orleans or the Blue Bayou! It’s become my gold standard and litmus test for all future juleps! haha!

Fast forward to today, and you can now find various versions of this classic beverage served not only at Disneyland but also all throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. While I’ve never had the pleasure to try this particular recipe at EPCOT (I’m still the new girl on the block here, haha) I was super excited to give it a try and make this recipe from scratch today, just in time for National Mint Julep Day!

So without further ado, introducing the Green Tea Berry Mint Julep — a delightful fusion of flavors that’s sure to transport you to the enchanting world of Disney!

Green Tea Berry Mint Julep Recipe

Ingredients:

For Mint-Infused Simple Syrup:

• 3/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water

For Green Tea Berry Mint Julep:

• 5 ounces water
• 1 green tea bag
• 1 ounce blackberry purée
• 1 1/2 ounces raspberry syrup
• 1/2 ounce reserved mint-infused simple syrup
• 1 ounce lime juice
• Fresh berries
• Mint leaves

Instructions:

For Mint-Infused Simple Syrup:

1. Wash and chop mint leaves.
2. Bring sugar, water, and mint leaves to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Simmer for 2 minutes. Pour through fine-mesh sieve, pressing hard on leaves.
4. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

For Green Tea Berry Mint Julep:

1. Bring water to a boil, then cool for 1 minute. Pour into a heat-proof container.
2. Add tea bag and steep for 2 to 3 minutes; remove tea bag and cool tea.
3. Combine cooled tea in a shaker with blackberry purée, raspberry syrup, mint-infused simple syrup, and lime juice. Shake and strain over ice into a tall glass.
4. Garnish with fresh berries and mint.

Cook’s Note: For an extra kick, toss everything into a blender with ice for a delectable frozen julep. And for those of legal drinking age, feel free to add 1 1/4 ounces of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey for an adult twist.

Here’s to raising a glass to the timeless charm of Disney and the refreshing taste of this iconic beverage.

Cheers, my friends!
Gingi Freeman