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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Watermelon Lemonade

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Prepare a batch of this pink drink and your summer celebration will be made in the shade.

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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

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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 problem with mocktails? ›

Mocktails and non-alcoholic beer and wine could provide a healthier alternative to drinking, but for some, these alcohol-adjacent drinks might be too potent a reminder of the real thing. Stanford Medicine clinical scholar Molly Bowdring, PhD, studies addiction and treats patients with alcohol use disorders.

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.

What makes a mocktail good? ›

Mocktails don't have to be intimidating to be delicious. Use your favorite classic co*cktails as an entry point, and explore twists on the flavor to elevate it without the alcohol. Watters prefers a non-alcoholic gin and tonic with fresh herbs to keep the garden flavor that gin often provides.

What is 1 most popular non-alcoholic drink? ›

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

What is the most popular non-alcoholic co*cktail? ›

11 Most Popular Mocktails To Order At A Bar
  • Virgin Mojito. At number one (but in no particular order) is the alcohol-free Mojito. ...
  • Virgin Bloody Mary. Fan of cooking a tomato soup? ...
  • Shirley Temple. ...
  • Arnold Palmer. ...
  • Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule. ...
  • Roy Rogers. ...
  • Virgin Piña Colada. ...
  • Non-Alcoholic Gin and Tonic.
Oct 26, 2022

Are mocktails healthier than alcohol? ›

Is a non-alcoholic drink healthier? In short, yes. Mag Ayyad, an exercise dietitian at Houston Methodist, says that taking alcohol out of any beverage is the biggest benefit of a mocktail. "Any alcohol going into our system is essentially a toxic substance," he says.

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.

How do you make mocktails taste real? ›

Some popular mocktail herbs include basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage, cloves, and lemon balm. These ingredients provide a depth of flavor and add an aroma that enhances the drink's overall experience. Spices add complexity and mimic the heat or bite of alcoholic beverages.

What is the healer non-alcoholic drink? ›

The bartender said it was called "The Healer" and made with Apothékary's Blue Me Away (a blue matcha powder), lemonade, seltzer, and lavender simple syrup. A sprig of rosemary garnish provided a super strong scent, which we welcomed. The flavors were kind of mysterious and delightful.

What is the mocktail that helps you sleep? ›

The drink is pretty simple — it's tart cherry juice, magnesium and your choice of flavored sparkling water. Drink it before bed, and doctors say it can help you sleep more soundly.

What gives you a buzz instead of alcohol? ›

Traditional beverages like coffee, tea, energy drinks, and kombucha have been playing the functional game for centuries. Each has its unique way of enhancing mood and creating different states of mind.

What are the cons of mocktails? ›

While they don't contain actual alcohol, they could potentially awaken dormant cravings for their alcoholic counterparts. Furthermore, individuals may end up consuming more sugar if they drink extra mocktails, as these beverages often contain sweeteners. This could lead to other health complications.

What are the disadvantages of drinking mocktails? ›

On the other hand, many mocktails are still high in sugar and may not be any healthier than co*cktails. You give up alcohol only to realise the mirror is lying to you again. Although it isn't, You've piled on the weight.

How do you replicate the taste of alcohol without alcohol? ›

Ginger syrup or cinnamon syrup can help replicate the heat of alcohol. A tea syrup will add a tannic quality to your drink, which can evoke barrel-aged spirits.

What is a common mocktail? ›

Any of the Soda-plus-Syrup sisters: vanilla cola, cherry cola, cherry 7up... Ginger ale with bitters. Lemonade with bitters (lemon, simple syrup, soda, bitters) Peach juice with bitters (etc.) Lemonade or limeade with muddled mint (kind of a virgin mojito-type thing)

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.

What are the mocktail trends in 2024? ›

In 2024, mocktail menus are taking inspiration from around the world. Explore exotic flavors and international twists on classic mocktails, such as the Brazilian "Caipirinha Mocktail" or the Japanese "Yuzu Mule." These global-inspired concoctions will transport your taste buds to far-off destinations.

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