Whether you’re planning a family gathering, a special event, or just a relaxing evening at home, these easy mocktails will make it more enjoyable. Read on to learn more about the world of non-alcoholic mixology and you can create drinks with all the flavor of cocktails without the alcohol.
Why Mocktails Are So Popular
Mocktails have become increasingly popular because they are a healthier, more inclusive, and more creative alternative to traditional cocktails. Today many people abstain from alcohol for health, religious, or other reasons. Non-alcoholic cocktails give them a refreshing, flavorful alternative to traditional cocktails. And commercial bar owners can attract a wider customer base with our easy mocktail ideas. If you’re not offering mocktails at your establishment, you’re missing out on a growth opportunity.
How to Make a Mocktail: The Basic Formula
Most mocktails start with four parts base (like club soda or iced tea) combined with one part sour and one-half part sweet. If you want to create your own easy mocktail recipes, follow this formula for success.
• Base: Some typical bases for virgin drinks include sparkling water, fruit juice, or soda like ginger ale.
• Acid: A sour note like lemon juice adds tartness to your mocktail.
• Sweetener: Simple syrup, honey, ginger beer or sweet juices balance the sour notes.
• Garnish: Aromatic garnishes like mint, spices like cinnamon or ginger, or a dash of bitters add complexity and depth.
• Optional enhancements: You can make things more interesting with fresh fruits or a dash of soda water.
17 Easy Mocktail Recipes
Follow the instructions on our mocktail list and you’ll be able to greet your guests with 17 of the best mocktail recipes.
1. Virgin Margarita
2. Classic Virgin Mojito
3. Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri
4. Virgin Pina Colada
5. Earl Grey Martini Mocktail
6. Virgin Marys
7. Tamarind Pineapple Quencher
8. Sparkling Tropical Mocktail
9. Espresso Martini Mocktail
10. Cranberry-Lime Mocktail
11. Peach Sunrise Mocktail
12. Cucumber Cooler Mocktail
13. Pomegranate Spritzer
14. Ginger Fizz Mocktail
15. Watermelon Slush
16. Virgin Apple Martini
17. Virgin Sangria
1. Virgin Margarita
This easy mocktail recipe is great for summer get-togethers. The tonic water adds a hint of bitterness that gives the drink the mouthfeel of an alcoholic cocktail.
Ingredients you need:
• 2 cups key lime juice
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• 1/4 cup of tonic water
• Coarse salt
How to make:
1. Put a few ice cubes in a shaker.
2. Pour in liquid ingredients and shake vigorously.
3. Moisten the rim of the glass and coat it with coarse salt
4. Pour the drinks into the glass. A lime slice garnish is optional.
2. Classic Virgin Mojito
A tiny splash of hot sauce contrasts nicely with the cool mint in this refreshing mocktail.
Ingredients you need:
• 2 cups club soda
• 2 cups ginger ale
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1 cup mint leaves
• 1/2 cup simple syrup
• A dash of Tabasco or other hot sauce
How to make:
1. Muddle the mint, tabasco, and simple syrup with a wooden spoon
2. Pour in the club soda, ginger ale, and lime juice
3. Stir with the muddling spoon
4. Pour into glasses with an optional lime garnish
3. Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri
This fruity mocktail is sure to be a hit at your next party. Check out this Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri recipe:
Ingredients you need:
• 1 cup frozen strawberries (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup of simple syrup (adjust this amount as desired)
• 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)
• 1 cup ice cubes
How to make:
• Get your simple syrup ready. To make simple syrup combine equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan. (1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup of water, heat on low, until sugar dissolves completely)
• Place strawberries, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice cubes in a blender
• Blend until well mixed
• Top with Garnish of a strawberry or slice of lime, and serve immediately.
4. Virgin Pina Colada
Easy mocktails can be absolutely delicious! Here’s how to make a Virgin Pina Colada:
Ingredients you need:
• 2 cups pineapple chunks
• 1 cup coconut cream
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 2 Tbsp of sugar
• 1 cup crushed ice
How to make:
• In a blender, combine pineapple chunks, coconut cream, pineapple juice, sugar, and crushed ice.
• Blend until smooth and creamy, if it’s too thick, you can add more pineapple juice or ice until it reaches the correct consistency.
• Taste the mixture and add more sugar if needed.
• Once satisfied with taste, pour the Virgin Pina Colada into glasses, garnish with maraschino cherry or pineapple slices, and serve immediately.
5. Earl Grey Martini Mocktail
This Earl Grey Martini Mocktail could be your signature mocktail. This non-alcoholic beverage allows you to savor the essence of England’s tea culture.
Ingredients you need:
• 1 quart of Earl Grey Martini premix
• 5.5 quarts of cold water
• Ice cubes (optional)
• Lemon slices or twists for garnish (optional)
How to make:
• In a large pitcher, pour the entire bottle of Earl Grey Martini premix.
• Add the quarts of cold water to the premix. Depending on how strong or mild you’d like the mocktail, you can adjust the water accordingly.
• Stir the mixture until it’s combined well.
• Serve it as is, or over ice, add garnish for that extra sophisticated touch.
6. Virgin Marys
When it comes to easy mocktail recipes, there’s nothing more perfect for a refreshing and savory experience, than a Virgin Mary:
Ingredients you need:
• 2 cups of tomato juice
• 1/4 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• A pinch of black pepper
• A pinch of celery salt
• A pinch of hot sauce (adjust as needed)
• Celery stalks and lemon wedges for garnish
• Ice cubes optional
How to make:
• Grab a tall glass, if desired, fill with ice cubes
• Combine tomato juice, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, celery salt, and black pepper. Stir the mixture well.
• Add a pinch or more of hot sauce, giving it another good stir.
• Garnish with celery stalk and lemon wedge.
7. Tamarind Pineapple Quencher
The Tamarind Pineapple quencher is among the delightfully tangy easy mocktails. Here’s the low-down on this beverage:
Ingredients you need:
• 2 Cups fresh pineapple chunks for this fruity mocktail
• 1/2 cup tamarind paste
• 1/4 cup honey (adjust as needed)
• 4 cups cold water
• 1/4 cup hot water
• Ice cubes optional
• Mint leaves for garnish
How to make:
• In a bowl, mix tamarind paste with 1/4 cup hot water. Let stand for a few minutes, then strain to remove any seeds or fibers.
• Combine pineapple chunks, tamarind mixture and honey in a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Pour the pineapple-tamarind blend into a pitcher, add 4 cups of cold water, and stir well.
• Add garnish, serve chilled over ice if you like.
8. Sparkling Tropical Mocktail
The best mocktails provide you with a perfectly refreshing experience. The Sparkling Tropical Mocktail is an easy fruity mocktail that’s sure to impress:
Ingredients you need:
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• 1/4 cup grenadine syrup
• Sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Orange slices and maraschino cherries as an optional garnish
How to make:
• In a tall glass, combine pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. Stir the mixture well.
• Add ice cubes
• Add sparkling water to suit your preferred level of fizziness.
• Keep it elegant, with a garnish of orange slices and maraschino cherries
9. Espresso Martini Mocktail
One of the best ways to say cheers to a night of sophisticated revelry is with a signature mocktail, such as the Espresso Martini Mocktail. Lap in a night of luxury with easy mocktails like this:
Ingredients you need:
• 1 cup Espresso Martini Premix
• 4.5 cups cold water
• Chocolate shavings for garnish (if you wish)
• Coffee bean garnish (if desired)
How to make:
• Grab a pitcher, pour the espresso martini premix into the container.
• Add 4.5 cups cold water to the premix, adjust to taste.
• Stir the mixture gently, until well combined.
• If desired, top with chocolate shavings and coffee beans.
10. Cranberry-Lime Mocktail
For a refreshing mocktail that’s perfect for any occasion, try a tangy Cranberry-Lime Mocktail:
Ingredients you need:
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
• Sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Cranberries and lime wedges for garnish (if desired)
How to make:
• Use a tall glass to combine cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir mixture well.
• Add ice cubes to glass
• Add sparkling water to suit your level of fizziness
• If desired, add cranberries and lime wedges to the glass
11. Peach Sunrise Mocktail
Level up your signature mocktail experience with one of the best mocktails for a sunny day, the Peach Sunrise Mocktail:
Ingredients you need:
• 1 cup of white peach puree OR 1 cup of Pêche Blanche Premix
• 4.5 cups cold water
• Fresh lemon slices
• Maraschino cherries for garnish, if desired
• Ice cubes
How to make:
• In a large pitcher, pour Pêche Blanche Premix (if using white peach puree, combine puree with lemon juice from 2-3 lemons)
• Add cold water to the peach mixture, adjust to taste.
• Stir gently
• If desired, add the lemon slices and maraschino cherries
12. Cucumber Cooler Mocktail
Here’s another take on a refreshing mocktail, the Cucumber Cooler Mocktail:
Ingredients you need:
• 1 peeled and sliced cucumber
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
• 2 cups cold water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves to garnish, if desired
How to make:
• Place cucumber slices in a blender
• Add simple syrup and lime juice to blender
• Blend until smooth. Adjust sweetness of simple syrup to suit your taste
• Pour mixture into a pitcher, adding 2 cups cold water, stir well
• Add ice cubes to pitcher, and add mint leave garnish, if desired
13. Pomegranate Spritzer
Searching for delicious mocktails that are a tangy delight for any occasion? Try this Pomegranate Spritzer:
Ingredients you need:
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup sparkling water or club soda
• 1/4 orange juice
• Ice cubes
• Orange slices and pomegranate seeds for garnish, if desired
How to make:
• Combine pomegranate juice, orange juice, and sparkling water or club soda in a tall glass
• Stir the mixture
• Add ice cubes to glass to keep cool
• Add orange slices and sprinkle pomegranate seeds onto the glass, if desired
14. Ginger Fizz Mocktail
A Ginger Fizz Mocktail is one of the most zesty and easy mocktail recipes you can enjoy anytime:
Ingredients you need:
• 1/2 cup ginger syrup
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves and lemon for garnish, if desired
How to make:
• Combine lemon juice and ginger syrup in a tall glass
• Stir the mixture well
• Add ice cubes
• Add sparkling water or club soda, gently stir
• Top with mint leaves and lemon slices if desired
15. Watermelon Slush
Some easy mocktails are the perfect treat for a hot day. A Watermelon Slush is among the best mocktails that’s refreshing as well as delicious:
Ingredients you need:
• 4 cups seedless, cubed watermelon
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 Tbsp. honey (adjust as needed)
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish, if desired
How to make:
• In a blender, combine watermelon, lime juice, and honey
• Blend until smooth, adjust the sweetness by adding more honey
• Pour mixture into glasses filled with ice cubes
• Garnish with mint leaves, if desired
16. Virgin Apple Martini
For a crisp, virgin drink, try the Virgin Apple Martini:
Ingredients you need:
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
• Ice cubes
• Cranberries or apple slices for garnish, if desired
How to make:
• Combine apple juice, cranberry juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Shake well
• Fill martini glass with ice cubes
• Strain mixture into chilled martini glass
• Top with cranberries or apple slices, if desired
17. Virgin Sangria
For any gathering or celebration, easy mocktails are the answer to a refreshing beverage. For a fruity Virgin Sangria, you’ll need:
Ingredients you need:
• 2 cups red grape juice
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
• Fresh fruit slices (oranges, berries, and apples)
• Ice cubes
How to make:
• Combine red grape juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher, mix well
• Add fruit slices to the pitcher. You can add the ones listed, or any fruit of your choice
• Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the Virgin Sangria over the ice
• If desired, garnish with additional fruit slices
Easy Tips to Make The Best Mocktails Everytime
How to Make Mocktails Taste Like Alcohol
Creating the best mocktail that actually mimics the taste of alcohol can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some ingredients to consider when crafting your alcohol free cocktails:
– Bitters: Alcohol-free bitters can add complexity and depth to your mocktail, replicating the flavors found in classic cocktails.
– Non-Alcoholic Spirits: Yes, you heard that right. Companies out there are now offering non-alcoholic versions of traditional spirits such as whiskey, gin, and rum. These allow you to capture the essence of the original, without the alcohol content.
– Ginger or Cinnamon Syrup: These syrups can help replicate the heat and warmth typically associated with alcoholic beverages. Use them to add a touch of spice to your mocktails.
Use Good Quality Ingredients
The key to making easy mocktails exceptional ones, is by using high-quality ingredients. Quality ingredients not only deliver richer and more authentic flavors, but they also enhance the overall experience of your mocktail. It’s critical to ensure health and safety by verifying the freshness and quality of your ingredients. Be sure to also pay attention to any allergies your guests may have. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when it comes to ingredients:
– Use fresh fruits and juices whenever possible
– Choose high-quality premium mixers and sodas
– Fresh herbs and spices enhance the aroma and taste of your mocktail
– Non-alcoholic spirits mimic a classic cocktail
Flash Chill with Nitro Instead of Ice
Flash chilling with nitro is the modern alternative to traditional ice cubes. Ice tends to melt, diluting the drink’s flavor over time. For the delicious mocktails solution, consider the innovative BROOD machines. These machines provide a new level of efficiency and taste enhancement for the best mocktail recipes.
The DRNX Espresso Martini Machine stands out as a game-changer. It pours five drinks per minute with advanced cooling technology, flash chilling any liquid, and infusing it with atmospheric nitrogen. Say goodbye to messy kegs and welcome innovation.
The DRNX DUO takes things even further with two taps, cutting service time in half. Switch effortlessly between nitro and still, serving five perfectly poured drinks in less than 60 seconds.
For coffee lovers, the DRNX BRW Nitro Coffee Maker offers a fully self-contained cold brew dispenser that eliminates the need for tanks and plumbing. Enjoy consistently ice-cold beverages brewed to perfection over 12 hours.
Upgrade your mocktail game with the precision of nitro and the convenience of BROOD machines. Your guests will appreciate the refreshing, undiluted flavors.
Use Premixes for Consistent Flavor
Our non-alcoholic cocktail premixes not only help you make easy mocktails. They minimize ingredient wastage since they come in controlled portions. We make our premixes with high-quality ingredients, so your drinks have the premium taste that discerning drinkers expect. And if your establishment also serves spirits, our premixes are great for making cocktails with alcohol too!
Make Some Effort Toward Presentation
The way you present your mocktail, from glassware to garnishes, can significantly impact the experience. Serve our easy mocktail recipes up in stylish and appropriate glassware. Rim the glass with colored sugar, salt, or a blend of spices that adds an extra layer of complexity to the flavor. Experiment with different ice shapes. Mocktails shouldn’t be an afterthought. Instead, you should treat them with the same flair and style you use when serving alcoholic beverages.
Parting Words
Delicious mocktails are more than just recipes. They’re gateways to unforgettable moments. Serve up the easy mocktails on our list and you’ll be the alcohol-free toast of the party.
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