Throwing a party or gathering with friends requires being able to offer a diverse selection of beverages that cater to different tastes. This is especially true for hosts who want to make their guests feel included, regardless of their drinking preferences. Having an assortment of alcoholic drinks can be easily managed, but what about those who prefer not to drink or are looking to try something new? That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the 23 best mocktails to attempt at home.
Some of these virgin versions reimagine popular cocktails, while others are specially crafted non-alcoholic beverages. They’re all listed in alphabetical order and are sure to be a hit! The recipes range from sweet and fruity to tangy and refreshing, so there’s something for everyone.
Blue Hawaii Mocktail
Taking center stage is the blue Gatorade, which plays a crucial role in making this blue Hawaiian mocktail truly exceptional. When combined with equal parts limeade and pineapple juice, the flavors come together to create a refreshing and delectable drink that may appear slightly more green than blue due to the natural hues of the ingredients. To present this drink at its best, serve it in a hurricane glass or a similar tall glass.
Adding a slice of pineapple on the side of the glass and garnishing with a maraschino cherry will not only enhance the appearance but also elevate the overall experience.
Blue Mojito Mocktail
Understanding that a vibrant color is essential for this blueberry mocktail, it’s recommended to use frozen blueberries as they will produce a more intense and deeper purple hue than their fresh counterparts. Unlike traditional mocktail recipes that often substitute alcohol with soda, this recipe employs coconut water to create a unique twist. To unlock the full potential of the mint leaves’ flavor, be sure to muddle them as you prepare the drink.
The distinct taste of the mojito is attributed to the combination of refreshing mint, zesty lime juice, and sweet pink lemonade concentrate.
Citrus Strawberry Mocktail
Honouring the taste of sunshine, this citrus strawberry mocktail is an ideal choice for those seeking a refreshing drink that’s both sweet and tangy. The perfect balance of flavours comes from combining strawberries with citrus, resulting in a drink that’s neither too sugary nor overpowering. When it comes to selecting strawberries, fresh ones are preferred, but frozen options can also be used if needed. The key to this mocktail is the harmonious blend of sweet and sour notes.
The sourness of the citrus effectively counters the natural sweetness of the strawberry. To prepare this drink, simply boil all the ingredients together, then strain the mixture to separate the strawberries from the liquid. This will allow you to use them as a topping later on.
Ginger Gastrique
Notably, this non-alcoholic twist on the Sidecar cocktail is also known as a Steve McQueen. Its unique flavor profile is dominated by ginger, which is expertly introduced through the use of fresh ginger slices. While the ginger does provide a noticeable presence, it’s skillfully balanced by the addition of sherry vinegar and apple cider vinegar, preventing the drink from becoming overpowering.
Importantly, despite the fact that sherry vinegar contains trace amounts of alcohol, this will be completely eliminated during the process of making the mocktail, ensuring a completely safe and enjoyable beverage for all to enjoy.
Honey Blackberry Mint Mocktails
Perfectly capturing the essence of summer, this refreshing mocktail uses honey as an unexpected ingredient that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of blackberry. To bring out the optimal flavors in this delightful drink, it’s essential to properly muddle the mint leaves and blackberries before creating the concoction.
When assembling your finished mocktail, be sure to use seltzer water instead of tonic water for a lighter taste and garnish with a few fresh blackberries on top for added visual appeal.
Lemon Basil Spritzer
Looking closely at this mocktail recipe, it’s clear that not only is it free from alcohol, but also can be easily tailored to be naturally sugar-free. The versatility of the recipe lies in its use of either a simple syrup or liquid stevia as a sweetener option, making all other ingredients inherently sugar-free. A key component of this mocktail’s flavor profile is undoubtedly its strong lemon presence, contributed by both lemon juice and lemon wedges.
The harmonious combination of lemon and basil creates a light, refreshing taste that makes it particularly well-suited for the warm summer months.
Mai Tai Mocktail
Not only is this non-alcoholic Mai Tai a refreshing twist on the classic cocktail, but it’s also perfect for serving at any luau or island-themed party. The base of the drink remains the same, but instead of rum, we’re using a combination of equal parts orange and pineapple juice to create a sweet and tangy flavor profile. A splash of lime juice adds a hint of acidity, while the almond syrup provides a subtle nutty flavor. To finish it off, a drizzle of grandine adds a touch of sweetness.
This delightful drink is best served over ice with some slices of orange, lime wedges or cherries as garnish.
Mango Mojito Mocktail
Among the variety of mojito-style drinks listed here, this one stands out for its unique twist on the classic recipe. By incorporating mango into the mix, it takes on a more tropical flavor profile that deviates from the traditional taste. To prepare this refreshing drink, you’ll need to start by muddling 10 mint leaves in order to release their flavors and aromas.
Next, combine these with sugar, lime juice, and mango puree – you can make your own puree using fresh mango blended in a blender if desired. After that, it’s just a matter of combining the mixture with club soda and pouring it over ice for an instant cooling sensation.
Non-Alcoholic Mimosa
Sipping on a refreshing drink at brunch is an essential experience, and while mimosas are always a popular choice, we understand that not everyone may want to include alcohol. Fortunately, this recipe provides a delicious non-alcoholic alternative that still captures the essence of a traditional mimosa. By substituting sparkling wine with sparkling water and adding a splash of pineapple juice, you’ll create a unique twist on the classic drink.
The orange juice remains an integral part of this mocktail, ensuring it stays true to its origins. Like its adult counterpart, serve it in a champagne glass for a touch of elegance.
Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
Savoring the classic Moscow Mule without the vodka is definitely possible, and we’ve crafted a mocktail version that’s just as delicious. The absence of vodka doesn’t diminish the great taste of this drink, and its unique blend of ginger beer and lime makes it an excellent choice for any time of year. In fact, its refreshing qualities make it perfect for fall and winter gatherings.
For an extra twist, consider adding a few sprigs of fresh mint leaves to your drink – the cooling flavor will complement the spicy kick from the ginger beer beautifully.
Pomegranate Ginger Mocktail
Taking centre stage in this recipe is the use of fresh ginger root, which provides a distinctively spicy kick to the drink. In contrast to the Moscow Mule that utilizes ginger beer, this recipe showcases the pure flavor of freshly ground ginger. The pomegranate juice takes centre stage as the primary flavor component, adding a sweet and fruity taste to the mix. To add a pop of colour and freshness to each serving, consider garnishing with a few pomegranate seeds and a slice of lime on top.
Refreshing Hibiscus Mocktail
Renowned for its unique flavor profile, this hibiscus-based mocktail boasts a refreshing twist on traditional drink recipes. Rather than relying on artificial sweeteners or syrups, the subtle sweetness of the hibiscus tea takes center stage. To prepare, you can use either hibiscus tea bags or loose leaf tea, allowing for a level of customization to suit your preferences.
However, keep in mind that the brewing process will require more time than other mocktails, as the hot-brewed tea is then allowed to cool before being served. Once prepared, the drink is sweetened with a touch of honey syrup and finished with a squeeze of lime juice and a splash of sparkling water.
Salted Caramel White Russian Mocktail
Just when you thought winter was over, we have a cocktail that will transport you straight to the festive season – the salted caramel white Russian. This indulgent drink is perfect for those cold winter nights, with its sweet and salty flavors evoking memories of Christmas. And if you’re a caffeine lover, this cocktail won’t disappoint, as it packs a large hit of coffee along with the rich caramel sauce, creamy texture, and hint of vanilla extract.
Whether you’re hosting a festive party or just want to cozy up with a warm drink, this salted caramel white Russian is sure to become your new winter favourite.
Sangria Mocktail
Embracing the spirit of Christmas and the colder months, we’ve created another refreshing mocktail recipe that’s perfect for the season. While it’s not typically associated with summer due to its fruit selection, this drink is specifically designed to capture the essence of winter. The inclusion of cranberries immediately evokes a sense of winter, and the addition of orange and ginger amplifies this feeling even further.
To complete this festive drink, we’ve also added raspberries, a pear, and pineapple juice, making it a delightful combination that’s sure to warm your heart and your hands on a chilly evening.
Shirley Temple
Sparkling Cranberry Kombucha Mocktail
A fermented drink that has gained popularity in recent years is kombucha, which can be made with tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. This fizzy beverage can be easily purchased in bottles at various health food stores or supermarkets, often in an array of flavors to suit individual tastes. Alternatively, for those who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, making it from scratch can be a fun and rewarding experience.
This refreshing mocktail recipe utilizes bottled kombucha as its base ingredient, allowing you to select your preferred flavor profile. In addition to the kombucha, other essential ingredients include cranberry juice, fresh ginger, and fragrant rosemary.
Virgin Cosmopolitan
Zeroing in on the essentials of the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail, these virgin variations retain all the flavor profiles that made it iconic. By substituting reduced sugar cranberry juice, you can create a low-sugar mocktail alternative without sacrificing any of its distinct character. With only four key ingredients – cranberry juice, lime juice, sparkling water, and orange juice – this drink’s simplicity makes it effortless to prepare and customize.
Virgin Margarita
Zestful margaritas are a delight for the senses, with a strong citrus flavor profile that comes from combining lime, lemon, and orange juice. The balance of these citrusy notes can be precisely tuned by adjusting the proportions of each juice, allowing you to achieve your desired level of tartness. For instance, if you prefer a less intense citrus experience, simply reduce the amount of lime juice and lemon juice while increasing the simple syrup’s contribution.
Creating this sweetener is relatively straightforward, requiring only a mixture of water and sugar, although it does need to be prepared in advance. This is because the hot liquid must cool down before being used in the recipe.
Virgin Mary Mocktail
Keenly observed by cocktail enthusiasts worldwide, the non-alcoholic version of the bloody Mary has gained significant popularity as one of the most well-known mocktails. Its distinct flavor profile, characterized by a savory taste and a perfect balance of spicy and salty notes, sets it apart from other mocktail options.
Typically, few drinks utilize hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and horseradish together, but these ingredients play a crucial role in creating the bloody Mary’s unique identity. The star ingredient that lends this drink its distinctive red hue is, of course, tomato juice.
Virgin Mojito
First and foremost, this recipe stands out from other mojito variations on our list because it’s a non-alcoholic twist on the classic. While we’ve featured several mojitos with additional ingredients before, this one takes a more straightforward approach by focusing on the fundamental flavors of mint leaves and lime juice. The choice to omit alcohol is deliberate, allowing you to enjoy the refreshing qualities of the drink without any intoxicating effects.
A significant factor in the flavor profile comes from muddling the mint leaves and mixing them with lime juice – this process releases the oils within the mint, which combine perfectly with the tartness of the lime. One notable point when making this mojito is that you have two options for carbonation: club soda or a substitute like 7-Up (if you’re looking for more unique 7-Up cocktails, we’ve got a dedicated article on the topic).
If you decide to use club soda, don’t forget to balance out the acidity of the lime juice with an extra bit of sugar. By doing so, you’ll achieve a delightful harmony of flavors in your mocktail that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Virgin Piña Colada
Planning a getaway to a tropical paradise? Look no further than this refreshing mocktail version of the classic piña colada! Its creamy texture and sweet taste evoke the feeling of sipping on a tropical milkshake. In fact, by incorporating some ice cream into the mix, this recipe takes the standard piña colada to the next level in terms of creaminess without sacrificing any of its deliciousness.
The combination of pineapple chunks, coconut milk, and pineapple juice ensures that every sip is infused with that quintessential tropical flavor.
Final Thoughts
Keen on alternatives to traditional cocktails, there’s a growing trend towards creating delicious and interesting drinks without the need for alcohol. This list includes an array of non-alcoholic versions of famous cocktails, such as mojitos and margaritas, but also features some unique combinations that even those who regularly drink may find hard to resist.We hope that you enjoy making, and drinking, these mocktails just as much as we do, and discover new favorites in the process.
Directions
Various recipes are presented at the beginning of this process, providing a foundation for subsequent steps. Click on a chosen recipe’s name to access its corresponding website, where essential information is readily available. Once there, gather all necessary ingredients and proceed with cooking the selected dish. Upon completion, take time to savor your culinary creation and remember to leave a review to help others make informed decisions in the future.
