17 Mocktail Recipes That Are So Delicious You Won't Miss the Alcohol (2024)

Lots of party people want to raise a glass that's buzzy, but not boozy, from the mom-to-be at a baby shower to those who don't love alcohol, but appreciate a well-crafted drink with their holiday dinner. And then, of course, there's the under-21 crowd at your family cookout.

But free of alcohol doesn't mean flat: Virgin versions of classic co*cktails like margaritas, sangria, and boozy punches make the most of fresh fruit juices and sparkling ciders. Warm-weather standbys, including watermelon, blueberries, and blackberries, add depth to traditional iced tea and lemonade, while the wintry flavors of ginger, cider, and citrus make for party-ready punches.

Top any of these recipes with pretty garnishes—fruit segments, fresh mint leaves, or a classic cherry on top—to infuse your party with family-friendly flair.

The Best Way to Stock a Non-Alcoholic Bar

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Mint, Lime, and Ginger Sparkler

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A combination of ginger beer and fresh ginger gives this thirst-quenching, non-alcoholic spritz its spice. With fresh lime juice and a gorgeous garnish of mint leaves, this is a delicious virgin version of a classic Moscow mule.

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Honeydew Lemon Tarragon Cooler

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Chunks of juicy honeydew, pureed with tarragon syrup and lemon juice, provide the base for this agua fresca-like summer drink. We recommend sipping one by the pool on a hot August day.

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Iced Passion-Fruit Green Tea

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Minimal ingredients with an impressive result? Sign us up! Green tea and passion-fruit juice marry for a subtle tropical taste.

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Golden Ticket Mocktail

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This mix of pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut adds a sweet, tropical complement to your lineup of movie-night snacks or your next family-friendly vacation happy hour.

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Blackberry-Plum Smash with Basil

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We love the bright raspberry color of this refreshing cooler. Infused with fresh herbs, citrus, and berries, this not-too-sweet pour is as invigorating as a cannonball in the deep end.

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Carrot Limeade

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We wouldn't be surprised if Peter Cottontail tried to make off with one of these vibrant chillers filled with a blend of carrot and lime juices. We added a hint of sugar to win over kids and grown-ups alike.

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Grapefruit-Sanbitter Spritz

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Italian soda Sanbitter gives this drink the same bright red color as an Aperol spritz, and with a touch of fresh grapefruit juice, this is one refreshing and worldly mocktail. (Sorry: Italian vacation not included.)

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Mediterranean Cucumber Tonic

Robust rosemary, crisp cool cucumber, and tart lemon come together in this vibrant booze-free take on the gin and tonic. Fever-Tree Tonic Water is infused with botanical oils for an added layer of complex aromatics. No gin needed!

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Pink Grapefruit "Margaritas"

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With pink grapefruit juice and pomegranate syrup, this booze-free margarita transports you to warmer climes. Serve in a martini or margarita glass for a sophisticated presentation.

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Ginger-Lime Fizz

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A virgin version of the classic Moscow Mule, this sparkling brew is made with a ginger-infused simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and seltzer.

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Sparkling Cider with Cara Cara Orange Punch

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This festive punch made with winter citruses is a fun holiday mocktail that's just as tasty year round. For a special touch, garnish with candied oranges.

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Blood-Moon Punch

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If you're feeling spooky, then this blood-moon punch will have you howling toward the moon. A vampy, virgin mixture of orange juice, grape juice, seltzer, ginger soda, and lime juice taste eerily delicious.

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Pomegranate Soda

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Who said club soda was boring? A generous splash of pomegranate juice, a touch of sugar, and a maraschino cherry on top create an enticing bright pink drink.

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Nonalcoholic Michelada

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Inspired by that classic beer co*cktail, the Michelada, this mocktail combines kombucha, a popular fermented tea drink, with tomato paste and lime juice for a tart refresher.

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Fruity Ice Wreath

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The best and most beautiful way to serve a non-alcoholic punch for a holiday party is with this icy wreath. It's made of cranberry juice and berries, plus orange and lemon slices—and formed in a bundt pan.

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Blueberry Mint Lemonade

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Fresh pureed blueberries and just-picked-mint syrup add a sweet touch to your favorite homemade lemonade.

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Pomegranate Citrus Juice

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Grapefruits, orange, tangerine, and tangelo juice are combined for an extra vibrant citrus flavor. Adding pomegranate juice brings a dose of color, flavor, and antioxidants.

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17 Mocktail Recipes That Are So Delicious You Won't Miss the Alcohol (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous mocktail? ›

What is the most popular non-alcoholic drink? The most popular mocktail right now is a Shirley Temple. Add cherries to it for a pretty garnish.

What is the most popular non-alcoholic drink in the world? ›

Water is, by far, the most consumed non-alcoholic beverage in the world.

What are the golden rules of making mocktails? ›

But what about mocktails? That old ratio of two parts alcohol, one part sour, and one part sweet doesn't quite work without the alcohol. But there's a formula that does: four parts base, like club soda or iced tea, to go with one part sour and one-half part sweet.

What is the problem with mocktails? ›

There's sucrose in many of the ingredients in mocktails that Maras says is the equivalent of table sugar. Too much of this in the body can lead to overstimulation of the pancreas to release insulin, leading to insulin resistance.

What's a good mocktail to order? ›

  • Virgin Mojito. Like the original, the Virgin Mojito can transport us to a tropical paradise. ...
  • Shirley Temple. ...
  • Arnold Palmer. ...
  • Alcohol-Free Moscow Mule. ...
  • Virgin Piña Colada. ...
  • Roy Rogers. ...
  • “No-quila” Sunrise. ...
  • Tropical Ginger Beer Fizz.
Jun 16, 2023

What is America's #1 drink? ›

Based on search results, water stands out as the most prevalent beverage in the American diet, constituting 50% of overall consumption, encompassing both bottled and tap water.

What non-alcoholic drink makes you happy? ›

De Soi. Inspired by the French ethos of pleasure and restraint, De Soi (pronounced de-SWA) has a range of sparkling non-alcoholic apéritifs full of natural adaptogens. Botanicals like ashwagandha and reishi mushroom help mellow your mind and boost your mood, so you can enjoy a more considered happy hour.

What is the 1 drink in the world? ›

Water – most consumed beverage in the world

The first answer to this question is water. Water is the most consumed beverage globally, essential for human survival.

How do you make mocktails taste real? ›

Freshly squeezed juices, such as orange, lime, grapefruit, and apple, add natural sweetness, acidity, and depth of flavor to mocktails, resulting in a complex and satisfying taste. In addition to enhancing flavor, fresh juice also adds a layer of complexity to mocktails.

What are the cons of mocktails? ›

The only downside to drinking mocktails is that sometimes the liquor is replaced with syrup or juice. These ingredients also contain a lot of sugar. The best way to drink a mocktail with fewer calories is to keep the mocktail to two ingredients.

What is the basic mocktail formula? ›

A general formula for making simple mocktails is four parts base, one part sour, one half part sweet, and a garnish. Ideas for base: tea. coconut water, sparkling water (flavored or unflavored)

What are mocktails called now? ›

A non-alcoholic mixed drink (also known as virgin co*cktail, temperance drink, "zero proof" drink or mocktail) is a co*cktail-style beverage made without alcohol.

What do you replace alcohol with in mocktails? ›

The best mocktail recipes incorporate ingredients like fresh juices, flavorful syrups, sparkling sodas, and often non-alcoholic spirits to create balanced, refreshing drinks without the negative health effects of traditional booze.

Are mocktails fattening? ›

Mocktails often contain fewer calories than alcoholic drinks. “Typically, alcohol contains around 100 kcal per shot (Vodka used as reference), whereas the strawberry pomegranate mix by Mixly has approximately 70 calories.” Some non-alcoholic mixers actually have some health benefits.

What is a common mocktail? ›

Shirley Temple

Inspired by child actress, Shirley Temple, it's been a favourite with mocktail enthusiasts since its creation. These days, the non-alcoholic drink has many variations, however traditionally it was just ginger ale and grenadine.

What was the first mocktail in the world? ›

The Shirley Temple is probably the most famous mocktail ever. This classic mix of ginger ale and grenadine with a squeeze of lemon or lime topped with maraschino cherries is believed to be the world's first mocktail. And it's still alive and well today.

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