Everybody’s a non-drinker sometimes, and that’s where mocktails come in. Whether you’re the designated driver, pregnant, dieting or just not a drinker at all, you can still enjoy delicious and gorgeous mocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails.
We’ve put together this list of mocktails, non-alcoholic mixed drinks, and traditional cocktail recipes that taste just as good with or without the alcohol.
This list also helps hosts and hostesses provide their non-drinking guests with beverages that look and taste just as fun as alcohol-based cocktails.
And if this list isn’t enough for you, maybe you need a book full of 100 Zero Proof Cocktails.
Entertaining with Mocktails
When you’re entertaining, remember you can also dress up mocktails by serving them beautifully. This gives them a glamorous or fun look for your get-together.
- We’re crazy about these fringe cocktail umbrellas. You can see one in the first mocktail picture below. They have such a unique, tropical look compared to most of the others.
- Invest in a gorgeous set of glasses just for the non-drinkers. Like these beautiful colorful Rainbow Splash Cocktail Glasses in various shapes and sizes.
- Or these elegant Bormioli Rocco Martini glasses, which are beautiful in their simplicity.
- Temporarily personalize your guests’ glasses with these beautiful, washable wine glass markers.
- Decorate glasses with these cute, funny Social Climber wine charms. They look like animals climbing up your glass!
Substitutions
A lot of these recipes call for sparkling white grape juice as a substitute for champagne. That’s because it’s much truer to the flavor of champagne than the sparkling apple cider many mocktail recipes call for.
But it can be hard to find. For some reason in the US, it seems to only be sold around the winter holidays.
Fortunately there’s another option. You can buy white grape juice and mix it with mineral water. We like Gerolsteiner for its bitter taste, but you can pick any brand you prefer.
It doesn’t take much mineral water to make the white grape juice “sparking”. Start with a ratio of about 1 part mineral water to 4 parts grape juice.
If it needs more bubbles, add some more mineral water. If it needs more sweetness, add more grape juice.
Now for the recipes!
Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Mocktails are non-alcoholic drinks that look and taste like a particular alcoholic cocktail. They even have names designed to remind you of the original cocktail.
Non-alcoholic cocktails aren't designed to remind you of any particular cocktail. They're just delicious and beautiful beverages someone has created to look like a cocktail.
And then there are the classic drink recipes that taste just great without the alcohol, or just need a single ingredient swap to be non-alcoholic.
You get three alternative recipes for a non-alcoholic version of Sex on the Beach. One tastes very close to the original, and the other two get a little more creative.
They all taste wonderful, and all without the alcohol.
A MixThatDrink original featuring blue fruit punch (or Koolaid's Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade) and cranberry juice.
Because non-drinkers shouldn't have to miss out on the fun of a blue, bubbly cocktail.
This fruit smoothie of a margarita tastes just as wonderful without the tequila and triple sec. You can also replace the triple sec with orange juice if you want to be sure you get some of that orange flavor.
A surprising alternative to the Mimosa. While most non-alcoholic versions of this cocktail call for sparkling apple cider - which changes the flavor completely - this one uses a different non-alcoholic bubbly.
You can make these dry or sweet, depending on your preference.
Coca Cola with cherry, vanilla and lime. The flavor here is just phenomenal. In terms of deliciousness, this one beats a Jack and Coke anytime.
It also beats a plain ol' cherry coke.
Just replace the champagne with dry sparkling white grape juice or ginger ale, and the Cointreau with a touch of orange juice.
A Mojito with all the flavor, but none of the rum. Seriously, the taste and look is so close to the original, no one would know it's a mocktail.
This fruity cocktail tastes like the original Hurricane, which is really delicious. It's the passion fruit syrup that makes it special.
Basically a Bloody Mary without the vodka. But this one has a really flavorful, savory recipe for the tomato base.
This is definitely not just plain ol' tomato juice with a garnish.
You probably already know a Pina Colada tastes as good without the alcohol as it does with. Just leave out the rum, and you're good to go.
The Bellini, but with sparkling white grape juice instead of champagne, and a couple of other tweaks.
This classic combines vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juice, so it has all the flavor even if you leave out the vodka.
This lightly sweet tropical fruit, ginger ale and lemonade punch goes down great at parties.
Just drop the raspberry vodka and maybe add a touch more raspberry syrup.
A yogurt and tomato based savory drink. Imagine a creamy tomato soup with a little bit of tang from the yogurt, and you get the idea.
Drop the orange vodka and Cointreau, and increase the orange juice.
This tasty soft drink blends the flavor of cranberry with cola to make a delicious, refreshing drink that's perfect for summertime.
This periwinkle-blue drink features coconut water, lemon juice, dried lavender and more. If you haven't tried lavender in food or drinks, you're in for a nice surprise.
So easy to make. Frozen limeade concentrate, Sprite, with some frozen and fresh fruit. This one is just perfect for cooling off on a warm day.
A beautiful layered mango and strawberry drink. This one is stunning to look at, and tastes great, too!
Watermelon Cooler aka the BEST Watermelon Cocktail of the Summer
Watermelon juice, mint and sparkling water. (You can easily turn this one into a cocktail, which makes it great for serving at parties where you have both drinkers and non-drinkers.)
Great for kids or adults with a sweet tooth. This one features a colorful rim made out of sprinkles, which kids will love.
A Thai classic with tea and cream or coconut milk. This recipe also shows you how to pour it the right way so you get a gorgeous layered effect.
Has all the flavors in the name. This one will make you think of fall, but it's wonderful all year long.
Apple cider with orange, lemon, spices and butter, served hot. This one is almost a mocktail because it looks so much like Hot Buttered Rum. It's a great soother for wintertime.
Chocolate and mint with coffee and milk. This twist on the classic Grasshopper is perfect for enjoying when it's cold outside.
Blackberry, vanilla, lemon, honey and bubbles. Tasty, lightly sweet, with a lovely contrast between the tart blackberry and the mild vanilla.
