Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (2024)

Once upon a time, non-alcoholic cocktails had a pretty ho-hum reputation. Club soda with lime, maybe a Shirley Temple—boring, sometimes awkwardly childish. Now, luckily, we're living in a heyday for alcohol-free options that are just as fun, sophisticated, and delicious as their boozy counterparts. Between the plethora on non-alcoholic wine, champagne, beer, and even ABV-free spirits, nowadays its easier than ever to avoid imbibing without feeling left out. And whether it's for your guests or yourself, it's always a good idea to add a fun and refreshing mocktail into the mix. Here are our favorite easy, delicious non-alcoholic recipes to serve up at your next event.

Spicy Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (1)

Ingredients

2 cups cold water

2 cups watermelon (rind removed), seeded and chopped

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1 tbsp lime juice
.25 cup mint leaves
.5 jalapeño, roughly chopped

Ice cubes or crushed ice (optional)

Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients and puree until smooth. Pour mixture through a strainer into a pitcher, forcing through most of the pulp. Chill and serve.

Created by Claire Thomas of The Kitchy Kitchen

Mango Mule

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (2)

Ingredients

4-5 slices of cucumber
1 oz honey syrup
1.5 oz mango puree
1.5 oz fresh lime juice
1.5 oz ginger beer
Ice

Instructions

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

By Danielle Walker of Against All Grain

Citrus Fizz

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (3)

Ingredients

1.75 oz Seedlip Grove 42
.75 oz organic marmalade cordial*
Sparkling water, to top

Instructions

Combine Seedlip and cordial in a champagne flute and top with chilled sparkling water.

*Instructions for organic marmalade cordial: Mix 300g organic marmalade with 150 mL hot water, Fine strain and store in the fridge.

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Dry Cranberry Spitzer

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (4)

Ingredients

1.5 oz Seedlip Grove 42
1 oz Monlin cranberry
1 oz Lime juice
2 dashes Orange bitters
Top off with Q Grapefruit soda

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients (except the Q Grapefruit) in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into an iced Collins glass and top with Q Grapefruit. Stir well and garnish.

By Devin Burns ofOmni Hotels & Resorts

Virgin Cucumber Gimlet

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (5)

Ingredients

1.5 oz club soda
4-5 slices of muddled cucumber
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz simple syrup

Instructions

Combine all ingredients and shake with ice. Serve in a rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a rolled cucumber slice.

From Ocean Prime

Magic Apple

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Ingredients

2 oz Ritual whiskey alternative
2 oz apple cider or apple juice
2 dashes bitters
Cinnamon stick
Apple slice

Instructions

Combine first three ingredients in a tall glass with ice. Stir until cold. Pour over fresh ice, garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice, and serve.

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Shirley Ginger

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Ingredients

4 cups Brooklyn Crafted Lemon Lime Ginger Beer
1 cup club soda
3 tbsp lime juice
.25 cup grenadine

Instructions

Stir ginger beer, club soda, lime juice, and grenadine in a pitcher. Pour into tall glasses with ice. Garnish with lime rounds and or maraschino cherries.

Hot Apple Cider

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (8)

Ingredients

10 oz apple cider
1 tsp pumpkin butter

Instructions

Heat apple cider and stir in pumpkin butter. Garnish with star anise and cinnamon.

Created by Liana Oster of Dante in NYC.

Coconut, Cucumber, Lime, and Mint Cooler

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (9)

Ingredients

4 cups of coconut water
2 cucumbers sliced very thinly
.5 cup of lime juice
.25 cup of sugar (optional)
.25 cup of chopped mint leaves

Instructions

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

From Cornelia Guest of Cornelia Guest Events

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Vantage Point

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (10)

Ingredients

2 oz ‘New London Light’
2 oz coffee (cold brew, decaffeinated or fresh)
.5 oz agave syrup
Orange peel to garnish

Instructions

Place all the ingredients in a Boston shaker with plenty of ice. Shake for 15 seconds and strain into a tumbler over a large ice cube. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Virgin Watermelon Margarita

Ingredients

1 medium seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
.5 cup fresh lime juice
4 tsp agave
5 tbsp sparking water

Instructions

In a blender, puree enough watermelon chunks so that you have 4 cups of watermelon puree. Add lime juice and agave and mix again. Pour into 4 cups. Top with sparkling water.

From FoodDoneLight

Berry Burlesque

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (12)

Ingredients

.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz honey syrup
1 oz black currant puree
4-6 mint leaves
Q Ginger Beer

Instructions

Combine and shake all ingredients except ginger beer in a shaker tin with ice, and then strain over fresh ice. Top with ginger beer.

By Daniel Marohnic, property mixologist at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas

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Lyre’s Dublin Double Irish Coffee

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (13)

Ingredients

2.5 oz Lyre’s American Malt
4 oz hot brewed coffee
.25 oz premium maple syrup
3 oz whipped cream

Instructions

Combine maple syrup, American Malt, and a splash of hot coffee in an Irish Coffee mug. Stir to dissolve maple, add remaining ingredients and top with whipped cream. Serve with a grated orange zest garnish.

Lavender Lemonade

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Ingredients

6 cups water
.5 cup honey
5 tbsp dried lavender
1 cup fresh lemon juice, strained

Instructions

Bring water and honey to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Gently crush the lavender in a mortar and pestle or in a bowl with a meat tenderizer. Add the crushed lavender to the pot then remove it from the heat. Cover, refrigerate, and steep for 2 hours. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve. Stir in the lemon juice and serve over ice.

Buy NowStriped Drinking Straws, $10 for 100

By Danielle Walker, founder of Against All Grain

Rose Fizz

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (15)

Ingredients

1 egg white
1 tsp powdered sugar
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
Fentimans Rose Lemonade to top

Instructions

Dry shake all ingredients except lemonade. Add ice and shake vigorously until almost a foamy texture. Top with rose lemonade.

From Acre in Auburn, AL.

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Rosemary Blueberry Smash

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (16)

Ingredients

7-8 blueberries
1 rosemary sprig, stripped
1 oz honey syrup
1 oz fresh lemon juice, strained
4 oz sparkling mineral water
Ice

Instructions

Gently muddle blueberries, rosemary leaves, and honey syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add lemon juice and shake, covered, with ice vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain through a mesh strainer into a tall glass of fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and stir to incorporate.

Buy Now Fleur de Lys Tumbler, $10

By Danielle Walker of Against All Grain

Lemongrass Jasmine Iced Tea.

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (17)

Ingredients

Muddle 4-5 pieces of cut lemon grass
.5 oz simple syrup
.5 oz lemon
4 oz jasmine tea
2 oz lychee juice

Instructions

Shake with ice. Double Strain into high ball glass. Add cubed ice. Top with crushed ice. Garnish with lemon grass.

From Hakkasan, New York City

Virgin Paloma

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (18)

Ingredients

1.5 oz lime juice
1 oz grapefruit juice
1 oz agave syrup
Healthy pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain over ice into a Collins glass and top with soda.

From Toro, New York City

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Wildcat Cooler

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (19)

Ingredients

1 cup blueberries
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 lemon, juiced
Water to taste

Instructions

Place the blueberries, sugar and water in a large sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the solids from the juice with a fine sieve and set the solids aside. Pack glass with crushed ice to the top. Pour 1 oz blueberry syrup in the glass. Pour lemon juice in the bottom of the glass, being mindful not to mix the ingredients. Fill the glass with water, slowly adding the water until full.

From The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tuscon, Arizona

Pineapple Ginger Beer

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (20)

Ingredients

1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz ginger syrup*

Instructions

Combine ingredients in a tin and shake very quickly with cold ice. Strain into a frozen Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with crystallized ginger and a lemon wedge.

*Ginger syrup: Combine 1 liter fresh ginger juice – roughly chopped ginger root through a juicer and fine strain twice – with 675g superfine sugar; stir vigorously to combine.

From The Varnish, Los Angeles

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (21)

Lauren Hubbard

Writer

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

Easy Mocktail Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular mocktail? ›

World-Famous Mocktails
  • Shirley Temple. A ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade or other non-alcoholic base mixed with grenadine syrup and frequently garnished with a maraschino cherry. ...
  • Roy Rogers. ...
  • Arnold Palmer. ...
  • Chili-Lime-Pineapple Soda. ...
  • Mango Mule. ...
  • Lemon-Lavender Mocktail. ...
  • Virgin Mary. ...
  • Pina Colada Mocktail.

What is the basic mocktail formula? ›

Tip #5: The EASY Mocktail Recipe Formula

Start with this basic, "1-1-2-3" formula: 1 part citrus, 1 part sweetener, 2 parts nonalcoholic spirit, 3 parts mixer. Then tweak it to your liking. I like my drinks a little less sweet, so I usually add more citrus and less sweetener.

Which mocktail is best in taste? ›

So here are our favorite recipes for delicious non-alcoholic drinks that you'll wanna try ASAP.
  • Summer Strawberry Basil Lemonade. ...
  • Strawberry Kiwi Slushie. ...
  • Tropical Fizz. ...
  • Pineapple Ice Cream Float. ...
  • Blueberry Lemonade. tasty.co. ...
  • Mango-Pineapple Slushie. tasty.co. ...
  • Mint Berry Smash. tasty.co. ...
  • Strawberry Coconut Cooler. tasty.co.
Aug 21, 2024

What are zero proof mocktails? ›

Zero Proof = Alcohol-free, sophisticated, deeply flavorful and enjoyable drinks. These are mocktails, not sodas, and are legitimate craft cocktails but without alcohol. Simple Syrup = Homemade sugar water, used to add a bit of sweetness.

What is an easy mocktail to order? ›

Keep these orders in your back pocket for quick, easy, and not to pricey basic mocktails any bartender can make.
  • Bitters and Soda. ...
  • Lemonade. ...
  • Shaken Cranberry Juice. ...
  • Virgin Mojito. ...
  • Shirley Temple.
Jul 24, 2024

What are the golden rules for making mocktails? ›

2. Balance is Key. Achieving the right balance of flavors is crucial in creating a satisfying non-alcoholic cocktail. Balance sweet with sour, and bitter with sweet, aiming for a harmonious blend that is not overly sugary.

What is the secret to a good mocktail? ›

The secret to making a mocktail is using fresh ingredients, just as you would with a cocktail. Using a non-alcoholic, botanical alternative is one of the best things you can do when making a drink without alcohol. Then, you need a citrus base and a simple syrup.

What is the golden ratio for 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 new name for mocktail? ›

One Bartender Sets Out to Change the Term “Mocktails” to “Spiritfrees” What is most important to Julia Momose is probably not what you would think. A bartender who wants to leave out the alcohol in cocktails?

How do you make mocktails taste real? ›

How to simulate alcohol. We've established that alcohol tastes tingly, drying, bitter, and sweet. To recreate these effects in a nonalcoholic drink, we simply need to add ingredients that produce the same effect. The best analog for alcohol's burn comes from spicy ingredients such as ginger or chilies.

What is a tasty non-alcoholic drink? ›

Blackberry-Lime Porch Punch

Sweet tea, fresh blackberry juice, ginger beer, and lime juice come together to create this vibrant drink. If serving for a party, save time the day of hosting by making the fruit juice a day ahead of time.

Are mocktails healthy? ›

Mocktails can be a healthier option because they eliminate the empty calories found in alcohol, are more hydrating and are safe for everyone including those with certain medical conditions who cannot drink any alcohol. To make a healthy mocktail, Nussbaum recommends avoiding sugary soda and pre-made cocktail mixes.

What is a good non sweet alcoholic drink? ›

No & low cocktails
  • Bloody Mary (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Caipirinha (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Cosmopolitan (no added sugar* & low-calorie) ...
  • Daiquiri (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Espresso Martini (no sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Fitzgerald (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
  • Gimlet (no added sugar & low-calorie)

What's a good mocktail at a bar? ›

The Best 10 Mocktails to Order at a Bar
  • Shirley Temple. ...
  • Virgin Mojito. ...
  • Arnold Palmer. ...
  • Virgin Mule. ...
  • Roy Rogers. ...
  • No Tequila Sunrise. ...
  • Club Soda and Lime. ...
  • Ginger Cran.

What should you order at a bar if you don't drink? ›

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

What is the best cocktail to get virgin? ›

10 Virgin Cocktail Recipe Ideas
  • Virgin Bitters. Unique and distinctly flavourful, our award-winning Virgin Bitters mocktail delivers the depth and aromas of the classic Negroni cocktail, without the alcohol. ...
  • Shirley Temple. ...
  • Lemongrass Citrus. ...
  • Mocktail Mary. ...
  • Ginger Sour. ...
  • Virgin Mojito. ...
  • Mango Mule. ...
  • Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri.

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