Ice cold red sangria with citrus fruits and berries in glasses

Better Non-Alcoholic Cocktails: Easy Mocktail Recipes That Feel Special

ByRenee Clement

Whether you’re skipping alcohol for a night, a season, or a lifestyle shift, non-alcoholic cocktails don’t have to feel like a compromise—they can actually feel like an upgrade. 

Mocktails: The Curious Elixirs To Enjoy Anytime

Recently I was the DD for the evening, and at the restaurant we were patronizing they had this exquisite-looking cocktail. I wanted to try it but I knew if I did I shouldn’t drive. 

I asked the bartender if he could make it sans the alcohol, and he gladly complied. The drink was marvelous, and I vowed to come back another time for the leaded version.

When To Make Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

  • Girls’ night in
  • Party hosting when not everyone drinks
  • Weeknight “treat yourself” moments
Mocktail Sangria
Pure and Simple Non-Alcoholic Sangria

Dry January: A Great Time To Sample Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Recipes

At the beginning of every year, I hear people talking about ‘Dry January’. They start the year off vowing to not drink a sip of alcohol for the entire month.

I’m sure this is so hard just after all of the parties and family events of the holidays. I have tried to abstain from drinking Coca-Cola a few times. Those first 4 days were miserable! 

The hard part is we are all in these social situations where others are drinking, and we feel that (internal) pressure to get that alcoholic beverage that we are so used to drinking.

Make It Feel Like A Regular Cocktail

When I make my non-alcoholic cocktails, I still like to add fun garnishes and use the proper glassware.

I love edible glitter

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to rim my glassware. The frills are half of the experience. Don’t skip that!

Edible Glitter adds sparkle to your glass

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Mocktails and Your Waistline

Don’t think that just because you are avoiding alcohol that you will be losing weight on these Mocktails. Usually they will include more sugary ingredients to offset the alcohol.

So if your intention for having a non-alcoholic cocktail is to lose weight, Mocktails might not be the right choice for you.

Mocktail Choices Come in Many Shapes and Sizes

Today we have many choices in non-alcoholic ready-to-drink adult beverages. You can ask for your familiar cocktails without the alcohol, but many times that will alter the taste negatively.

There is non-alcoholic beer, wine as well as non-alcoholic canned cocktails, Optimist drinks, and non-alcoholic spritz beverages. The list grows longer every day.

Beautiful presentation!

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Adaptogenic Euphorics as Mocktails

These Mocktail ‘Cocktails’ are not as well known non-alcoholic drinks. They come in cans filled with many a variety of herbs and plants along with caffeine. It is said that they can relax you and provide you with mental alertness and clarity. 

Adaptogens in a can

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Depending on where you live, they come in many different types and with different (legal for your State) items that can include anything from CBD or even mushrooms. 

It sure seems like a healthy alternative to drinks like Monster or Red Bull, which are mixed into cocktails all the time but have some ingredient’s that aren’t very healthy. 

Maybe in a future blog I can test out some adaptogenic euphorics mixed with a spirit or two and give you the lowdown. As for today, I’m just suggesting these Mocktails all on their own.

My 5 Easy Non-Alcoholic Cocktails To Try Now

I handpicked these recipes for their taste first, but mostly for the ease with which you can make and share them. It is always fun to share a cocktail or two with friends, right?

1. Watermelon Lemonade Mocktail

A glass with lemonade and watermelon juice with a lime and a sprig of mint for garnish

Watermelon Lemonade Mocktail

This Non-Alcoholic drink is the perfect refresher for a hot summer day.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Mocktail
Keywords Mocktail, Summer Drink
Servings 6 Servings

Equipment

  • 1 Blender

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  • 1 2 Qt Pitcher

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Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups Watermelon Cubed and seeded
  • 3/4 cup Lemon Juice Fresh is best
  • 4 cups Water
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 handful Mint For garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cube your watermelon and put it into your blender

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     to puree
  • Strain well
  • Mix water, lemon juice, and sugar until dissolved into your pitcher

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  • Add watermelon puree, mint, and 1/2 cup of ice, and stir
  • Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and serve over fresh ice.
Keyword Mocktail, Summer Drink

2. Non-Alcoholic Mojito (Nojito)

Fresh Mojito in a tall glass

Nojito (Non-Alcoholic Mojito)

This Mocktail Mojito (Nojito) is so refreshing it is sure to become a favorite!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Mocktail
Keywords Non-Alcoholic Cocktail
Servings 1 Servings

Equipment

  • 1 Muddler

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  • 1 14 oz Cocktail Glass

Ingredients
  

  • 3 oz Club Soda
  • 2 oz Apple Juice
  • 4 tsp Lime Juice
  • 3 oz Elderflower Cordial Non-Alcoholic
  • 2 wedges Lime
  • 6 leaves Mint
  • 1 sprig Mint For garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place 6 mint leaves into your 14 oz cocktail glass and muddle

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     to extract the juice and full flavor of the leaves
  • Add your apple juice, lime juice, Elderflower Cordial and stir
  • Add ice and top off with your club soda
  • Garnish with a mint leaf on top
Keyword Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

3. Pure and Simple Sangria

Non-Alcoholic Sangria
Pure and Simple Non-Alcoholic Sangria
Non-Alcoholic Sangria

Sangria Mocktail

This pure and simple Sangria Mocktail is a real crowd-pleaser!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Mocktail
Keywords Non-Alcoholic Cocktail
Servings 6 Servings

Equipment

  • 1 2 Qt Pitcher

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  • 4 13 oz Red Wine Glasses

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Grape Juice
  • 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
  • 12 oz Apple Juice (Frozen Can) thawed
  • 3-4 cups Club Soda
  • 1 whole Orange Sliced
  • 1 whole Lime Sliced
  • 1 whole Apple Diced
  • 1 cup Strawberries Diced
  • 1/4 cup Blueberries
  • 1 handful Mint For garnish (1 sprig for each drink)

Instructions
 

  • Mix juices in a 2-quart pitcher

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  • Add fruit and stir
  • Place in refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours to let the fruit soak in all the juices
  • When time to serve pour into 13 oz wine glasses and top off each glass with club soda
  • Add a sprig of mint for garnish to each glass
Keyword Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

4. Mocktail Margarita

Who doesn’t love a great Margarita? But when you choose to skip the alcohol, this is the next best thing!

Mocktail Margarita

Mocktail Margarita

This Non-Alcoholic version of the Margarita will leave you amazed by the depth tastes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Mocktail
Keywords Margarita, Non-Alcoholic Cocktail
Servings 1 Servings

Equipment

  • 1 Margarita Glass

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  • 1 Cocktail Shaker

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  • 1 Cocktail Spoon

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Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz Orange Juice Fresh squeezed if possible
  • 3 oz Lime Juice plus extra for rimming glass
  • 2 tsp Agave Nectar

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  • 2 1/2 oz Club Soda
  • 1 slice Lime For garnish
  • 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt For the rim of the glass

Instructions
 

  • Start by rimming your glass with lime juice and then dip into coarse salt (set aside)
  • Pour all ingredients except for club soda into your cocktail shaker

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     with ice
  • Shake well and pour into your Margarita glass

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  • Top with club soda and stir gently
  • Garnish with a lime slice
Keyword Margarita, Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

Your Next Margarita Glass

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5. Coconut Cooler 

Three cocktails including one in a coconut with an umbrella on a sandy beach at sunset

Coconut Cooler

This super hydrating cocktail will be a healthy alternative on top of being Non-Alcoholic
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Mocktail
Keywords Non-Alcoholic Cocktail
Servings 4 Servings

Equipment

  • 1 2 Quart Glass Pitcher

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  • 1 Muddler

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  • 4 12 oz Glass

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Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Coconut Water
  • 2 whole Cucumbers Sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup Lime Juice
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Mint leaves

Instructions
 

  • In your 2-quart glass pitcher

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    , muddle

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     1/2 of the mint leaves gently
  • Add the coconut water, cucumbers, lime juice, sugar, and remaining mint leaves and stir
  • Refrigerate to chill for a minimum of 2 hours
  • Serve over ice
Keyword Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

Try this Cocktail Journal to save all of your favorite Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes

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Raise Your Glass to Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

You will see from my recipes that alcohol-free cocktails can be just as delicious and enjoyable as their boozy counterparts. 

With a little bit of creativity and a bit of experimentation, you can craft your own delicious drinks with the same flavors and textures as classic cocktails. It is actually fun!

So the next time you’re looking for an adult beverage without alcohol, give these zero-proof cocktails a try! And for more cocktail ideas follow me at Nextcocktails.com or at NextCocktails on Pinterest

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