NA Mint Julep
The Kentucky Derby is a something I look forward to watching every year. In the past, it has been a day when I dress up in an appropriate ‘Derby Day’ dress and of course an over the top fascinator or hat, find a nearby gathering or party for the annual event, eat small bites of deviled eggs and chicken wings and of course take part in many libations.
Derby Day, like for many others across the country, is just another excuse for a party style gathering that focuses only on a 2 minute final race and an afternoon into early evening of drinking. I am not a gambler, so I never had to worry about losing any money but I certainly enjoyed myself many Mint Juleps that led to long evenings of drinking and painful next mornings.
This year, at just over 10-months sober, I did not attend any Derby Day parties and did not get dressed up but I did watch the final ‘Run for the Roses’ with my Mom and I mixed us up NA Mint Juleps. I am hoping next year, with more sobriety under my belt, I will be more comfortable with attending social gatherings, without being triggered. Until then, I will continue to stay home and follow my internal limits.
When I told my Mom I was thinking of making Juleps, she ordered me a bottle of NA Bourbon from Free Spirits. According to their website, it is a premium NA bourbon alternative inspired by classic Kentucky bourbons. It was the winner of the 2024 Non-Alcoholic of the Year - Bartender Spirits Award and I would have to say, I would agree with this one. The warm and complex taste as it hit your tongue, makes you question if you are drinking traditional whiskey.
And because of this, it was triggering for me. The smell and taste was a little too much for me this early in my sobriety. The Spirit of Bourbon had the same “burn” as traditional bourbon, had the same taste, same feeling inside my body and went straight to my head with my mind questioning it and I caught myself drinking the mocktail a little too quickly. For that reason, I did not finish my NA Mint Julep, even though it was so refreshing and good. I would say, that someone who is working on sobriety post addiction, I would hold off on drinking the Spirit of Bourbon but if you do not have a past negative history with alcohol, then drink away because you can have the same great taste without the adverse effects. To remind you, this is a NA beverage not a zero-proof AF beverage so it does have less than 0.5% ABV and for me, I felt like I could taste the alcohol in this one.
Plus, it is also good for you. It is vegan, gluten-free, low calorie and infused with Vitamin B12, B6 & B3 to help support energy and wellness.
Ingredients
Fresh mint leaves roughly chopped and fresh mint leaves for garnish
1/4 cup simple syrup
Ice
4 oz NA Bourbon
Instructions
Make the simple syrup ahead of time you plan to serve in order to give time to cool prior to mixing. Fill your favorite Julep cup (or a rocks glass if you do not have one) with ice. Pour 4 oz of NA bourbon and 1/4 cup of minty simple syrup into the cup. Stir and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
**Chill your Julep cup for 30 minutes prior to add to the frosty nature of the drink. Handle by the edges of the cup in order to keep it chilled.
