This being the second year my wife is pregnant during the Derby we were unable to celebrate with Kentucky Bourbon. Instead we relied on this old-time non alcoholic version…

4 Mint sprigs — up to 5 sprigs
1 1/2 cups Sugar
2 cups Cold water

3/4 cup Lemon juice

1 1/2 quarts Ginger ale
Lemon slices — thin (garnish ; optional )

Place the sugar, water, and lemon juice
in a medium-sized bowl,
mix, and stir in the mint leaves.
Allow to stand for 30 minutes.
Fill a large pitcher with ice cubes
and strain the liquid over the ice.
Add the ginger ale and
lemon slices, and serve.