Our Favorite Mocktails You’ll Actually Want To Drink

Today, more and more people are looking for alcohol-free alternative drinks. Whether you want to wind down, limit your alcohol intake, or want to cut it altogether, mocktails are the perfect way to enjoy a tasty drink without the worry of consuming alcohol. Today, many businesses are recognizing this up and coming trend and have started catering to people’s alcohol-free drink desires for any occasion. We put together a list of our seven favorite mocktails that are delicious, easy to make, and amazing enough for any special occasion!

What Is A Mocktail?

If you didn’t already know, a mocktail is like a cocktail, but without the alcohol. Mocktails were originally created for teetotalers, a.k.a people who don’t drink any alcohol at all. During parties and celebrations, normal soft drinks and juices made them feel left out from the festivities. Thus, the mocktail was born! As a perfect middle ground between cocktails and normal beverages, these tasty drinks still cater to the atmosphere of any gathering or occasion, all without alcohol. If you’re training for a marathon or any physical activity, mocktails are the perfect way to give up liquor while still being able to let loose and enjoy! These easy to craft drinks are also a fantastic way to make the little kids feel extra special…like one of the grown ups!

Strawberry Fields

Get ready to bring back memories of good times and relive the prime of The Beatles with this hefty mocktail. Originally created with teetotalers in mind, the combination of sweet strawberries and tart hibiscus compliment each other perfectly for a well balanced drink, especially after a long day. This mocktail has an overwhelming, yet welcoming taste of strawberries for those who can’t seem to satisfy their sweet tooth but don’t want to go over the top with sweetness.

Ingredients:
1.5 ounces hibiscus syrup*
1 ounces strawberry syrup**
Soda to top
3 ice cubes
Garnish: half a strawberry

Combine all ingredients except soda. Shake quickly with three ice cubes. Serve in a collins glass, topped with soda. Garnish with half a strawberry. For the best tasting drink, experiment with making your own freshly made hibiscus and strawberry syrup!

*Instructions for hibiscus syrup:
Infuse 4 oz of dried hibiscus flowers into 25 oz room temperature water for at least 6 hours. Strain, compressing all ingredients in the chinois so that almost all of the infusion is reclaimed. Weigh the strained infusion and add the same weight in white superfine sugar to the infusion. Dissolve sugar thoroughly.

**Instructions for strawberry syrup:
De-stem 2 pounds of strawberries and pulse them in a food processor until they are broken up well. Do not puree them. Add 2 pounds of white sugar and let it sit in the refrigerator for about two-three days until a syrup is formed and all the sugar is dissolved.

Created by Jim Kearns at Slowly Shirley

Cranberry Apple Spritzer

Cranberries and apples are a tag-team fruit duo that’s well suited for the holiday season. Personally, this drink always reminds me of my grandmother’s homemade cranberry and apple pie. But of course, I don’t have the same level of her baking expertise, so I opt to make this simple drink instead and it always hits the spot! We love this mocktail and always regret not making a large pitcher…so you might want to make a little extra just in case. Spread the joy of the holiday season with the perfectly suited cranberry apple spritzer!

Ingredients:
1-2 Tablespoons Cranberry Apple Syrup
Chilled Seltzer Water
Splash of Apple Cider
Fresh Cranberries

Add the Cranberry Apple Syrup to the glass, depending on your desired sweetness. Top with Seltzer Water and a splash of apple cider. Garnish with a couple fresh cranberries and serve!

Created by: Alaina Doyle

Mango Mule

The mango mule is another classic and all time favorite drink of ours. Originally crafted with vodka, the mocktail version is the best way to still feel a little bite thanks to the powerful kick from ginger beer. The honey and mango combine perfectly together for a sweet flavor while the lime juice and ginger beer balance it out with a little bite. Who said sweet things couldn’t have a little fight in them?

Ingredients:
4-5 slices of Cucumber
1 ounce Honey syrup*
1.5 ounce Mango puree**
1.5 ounce Fresh lime juice
1.5 ounce Ginger beer

Muddle cucumber and honey syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the mango puree and lime juice and shake, covered, with ice vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain into a copper mug. Top with ginger beer and stir to incorporate.

Created by: Danielle Walker

Rosemary Blueberry Smash

The combination of woodsy rosemary, sour lemon, sweet honey, and fresh blueberries all come together for a drink exploding with flavor! Rosemary is a great ingredient for those who don’t like overly sweet beverages. Combined with blueberry and honey, the rosemary tones down the overall sweetness for a perfectly balanced beverage that’s excellent for the winter time. For all blueberry lovers, this is a mocktail for you!

Ingredients:
7-8 blueberries
1 sprig of rosemary
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sparkling water to top
Ice

Muddle the blueberries, rosemary and honey at the bottom of the shaker. Add lemon juice and shake over ice. Strain into a glass with fresh ice, and garnish with extra blueberries and rosemary and serve.

Created by: Chris from Mistress of Mocktails

Coconut, Cucumber, Lime, and Mint Cooler

The coconut, cucumber, lime, and mint cooler is mocktail for those who wish they could pack up and escape to a tropical island. But since we’re here on the Carolina coast, this drink fills the void just fine and still makes us feel like we’re on our own private beach. We love this mocktail because coconut water and cucumber are jam packed with vital nutrients that help us bounce back after a hot day. The lime juice and mint leaves further compliment this refreshing beverage with a sour and cool taste that leaves us wishing for more! Thankfully this recipe serves four!

4 cups of coconut water
2 cucumbers sliced very thin
½ cup of lime juice
¼ cup of sugar (optional)
¼ cup of chopped mint leaves

Combine coconut water, cucumbers, lime juice, sugar and mint leaves. Let chill for 1 to 2 hours.

Created by: Cornelia Guest

Pregnant? Dieting? Training? Health issues? Whatever your reasons for wanting to enjoy mocktails instead of cocktails, we hope this list will get the party started for you! You’ll never have to feel left out again. You can use these recipes to try at home, or ask for them by name from your local bartender. You’ll feel cool and refreshed…and no need for aspirin tomorrow morning!