12 Easy Mocktails for Your Next Event

You want your next event to have exciting and inclusive drink options for everyone. With nearly a third of adults being non-drinkers and the non-alcoholic market booming, offering great non-alcoholic drinks is key. But nonalcoholic does not mean boring! These simple mocktail recipes create delicious, visually stunning non-alcoholic cocktails. You need no special skills to make these alcohol-free recipes. Serve these amazing zero-proof drinks in beautiful Cocktails cups or clear plastic cocktail cups to show off their vibrant colors. Get ready to impress every guest with these fantastic mocktails.

Key Takeaways

• Offer exciting mocktails at your event. Many adults do not drink alcohol. Good non-alcoholic options make everyone feel included.

• Make delicious mocktails easily. You do not need special skills. Simple recipes create colorful and tasty drinks for all your guests.

• Use fresh ingredients for the best taste. Fruits, herbs, and spices make your mocktails special. Homemade syrups add unique flavors.

• Serve your mocktails in nice cups. Clear cups show off the colors. Textured glasses add elegance. The right cup makes drinks look better.

Bright and Fruity Mocktails

Ready to dive into some vibrant and refreshing drinks? This collection of fruity mocktail recipes is perfect for any sunny day, brunch, or party. You'll see just how easy it is to create stunning non-alcoholic beverages that burst with flavor and color. Let's get mixing!

The Sunrise Sparkler

You can bring a beautiful sunrise right into your glass with this simple drink. The layers of color make it a showstopper, and the taste is pure tropical delight. It’s a fantastic non-alcoholic tropical fizz that will make everyone feel special.

What You'll Need:

• Orange pineapple juice

• Lemon-lime soda

• A splash of grenadine or cherry syrup

• Lots of ice

• An orange slice for garnish 🍊

How to Make It:

1. Fill your glass with ice. This helps create the layered effect.

2. Pour a small amount of grenadine into the bottom of the glass.

3. Slowly pour in the orange pineapple juice. Pouring it over the back of a spoon helps keep the layers clean.

4. Top it off with the lemon-lime soda to add that delightful sparkle.

5. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and serve immediately to see the colors swirl.

Cranberry-Ginger Fizz

This drink is perfect for the holiday season but delicious all year round. Its deep red color and bubbly finish make it feel incredibly festive. You can easily serve this to adults and kids, making it a go-to for family gatherings. Think of it as a cousin to the orange-cranberry mimosa, but without the alcohol.

Pro Tip: For an extra festive touch, drop a few fresh cranberry pieces and a sprig of rosemary into each glass. The aroma adds a wonderful holiday feel!

Here's the Simple Recipe:

• 4 oz. cranberry juice cocktail

• 4 oz. ginger ale, chilled

• A squeeze of fresh lime juice

Just pour the cranberry juice into a glass with ice, top with ginger ale, and add a squeeze of lime. It’s that easy! This simple cranberry drink is a crowd-pleaser. For a twist, try an orange-cranberry mimosa variation using orange-flavored sparkling water instead of ginger ale. The tart cranberry flavor is always a hit.

Blueberry Lemonade Spritzer

This beautiful purple spritzer is the ultimate thirst quencher. It balances sweet blueberries with tangy lemon for a truly refreshing experience. Making your own blueberry syrup gives this fruity mocktail a fresh, authentic taste that you just can't get from a bottle.

Let's Make It!

1. Create a Blueberry Base: In a small pot, simmer 2 cups of fresh blueberries with ½ cup of lemon juice. Cook until the berries soften and burst.

2. Strain the Mixture: Pour the blueberry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher.

3. Add More Flavor: Stir in another ½ cup of lemon juice and a simple syrup (made by dissolving ¼ cup sugar in 1 cup of water). Chill this lemonade base for at least an hour.

4. Serve and Sparkle: To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the blueberry lemonade until each glass is about half full. Top with chilled sparkling water for a beautiful sparkle. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a few fresh blueberries.

Classic Non-alcoholic Piña Colada

Escape to the tropics with this creamy and dreamy virgin Piña Colada. This classic non-alcoholic tropical fizz is like a vacation in a glass. While many people love a good virgin mojito mocktail, the sweet and creamy flavor of a Piña Colada is hard to beat. This is one of those mocktails that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients for a Creamy Treat:

• ½ a fresh pineapple, cut into chunks

• ¾ cup coconut cream

• ¼ cup coconut milk

• 1 tbsp honey or agave

• Juice of 1 lime

• 5 cups of ice

Simply blend all the ingredients in a blender until the mixture is thick and smooth. Pour your sparkling tropical mock-tail into a fun glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge, and enjoy your delicious virgin creation!

Festive Nonalcoholic Mocktails

When the holiday season rolls around, you want everyone to feel included in the celebration. These festive nonalcoholic mocktails are the perfect way to share a special toast with every single guest. From cozy Christmas gatherings to a big Thanksgiving mocktail spread, these recipes bring the cheer. You can create amazing festive drinks that are full of flavor and completely alcohol-free. Let's make your next holiday party the most memorable one yet with these fantastic Christmas mocktails.

Spiced Apple-Cinnamon Mule

You can capture the warm, cozy feeling of Christmas in a glass with this Spiced Apple-Cinnamon Mule. It’s a wonderful non-alcoholic twist on the classic mule, making it a perfect choice for any holiday gathering. The blend of apple and cinnamon is pure comfort.

Pro-Tip: Making your own cinnamon ginger simple syrup is a game-changer! It adds a deep, authentic spice flavor that elevates this nonalcoholic drink. Here’s how you can make it:

1. Combine 1½ cups of light brown sugar, 1 cup of water, 8 cinnamon sticks, and a 1-inch piece of sliced ginger in a saucepan.

2. Bring it to a boil, then simmer until it becomes a syrup.

3. Let it cool completely before you use it.

Let's Build Your Mule:

• 2 tbsp cinnamon ginger simple syrup

• ½ cup no-sugar-added apple cider

• ½ cup diet ginger beer

• Ice, apple slices, and a cinnamon-sugar rim

How to Make It:

1. First, prepare your glass. Dip the rim in a little water and then into a mix of cinnamon and sugar.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add your homemade simple syrup, apple cider, and ginger beer.

3. Shake it well for about 15-20 seconds.

4. Strain the mixture into your prepared glass and garnish with a few thin apple slices. This is one of our favorite winter mocktail ideas!

Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer

You will love the bright, jewel-toned color of this Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer. It’s a sophisticated and bubbly non-alcoholic drink that looks stunning on any Christmas party table. The mix of sweet pomegranate and spicy ginger is incredibly refreshing. This is one of those holiday mocktail recipes that guests will be talking about long after the party ends.

What You'll Need:

• Pomegranate juice

• Orange juice

• Fresh ginger and lime slices

• Club soda or tonic water

• Pomegranate seeds and rosemary for garnish (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Place some ginger and lime slices in a large pitcher. Pour in the pomegranate and orange juices. For the best flavor, let this mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight.

2. Right before you serve, strain the juice to remove the ginger and lime pieces.

3. Stir in chilled club soda to add that delightful fizz.

4. Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds. The flavor is similar to a festive cranberry drink, making it a perfect non-alcoholic option for your holiday menu.

Rosemary Grapefruit Press

If you are looking for an elegant and modern non-alcoholic drink, the Rosemary Grapefruit Press is for you. The herbal notes of rosemary perfectly balance the tartness of grapefruit, creating a truly unique virgin mocktail. It’s a beautiful and refreshing choice for a sophisticated Christmas dinner or holiday brunch.

First, Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup:

1. Heat ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water in a saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.

2. Add 2-3 fresh rosemary sprigs, remove from the heat, and let it cool.

3. Once cool, remove the rosemary. You can store this syrup in the fridge for up to a month.

Assembling Your Drink:

1. Fill a tall glass about two-thirds full with crushed ice.

2. Add 1 tablespoon of your rosemary simple syrup, a splash of lime juice, and ½ cup of fresh pink grapefruit juice. Stir it all together.

3. Top the glass with sparkling water.

4. Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary for a beautiful finish. This alcohol-free recipe is a guaranteed showstopper.

Simple Alcohol-Free Roy Rogers

You can't go wrong with a classic! The alcohol-free Roy Rogers is a timeless favorite that’s incredibly easy to make. It’s a sweet, bubbly treat that both kids and adults love, making it a perfect nonalcoholic option for any casual Christmas get-together. Its simple ingredients make it a go-to when you need a quick and delicious virgin drink.

Did you know the key ingredient, grenadine, is a sweet syrup made from pomegranate juice? It gives the drink its signature red color, similar to a festive cranberry hue.

Here’s the Simple Recipe:

• 6 oz. Cola

• ½ oz. Grenadine Syrup

• Maraschino cherries for garnish 🍒

How to Make It:

1. Fill a glass with plenty of ice.

2. Pour in the grenadine. You can add a little more if you like your drinks extra sweet.

3. Top it off with your favorite cola and give it a gentle stir.

4. Garnish with a bright red maraschino cherry on top. Serve this delightful non-alcoholic drink immediately and watch everyone enjoy it. It's a simple pleasure for the holiday season.

Modern and Elegant Sips

If you're looking to serve something truly unique, this section is for you. Modern mocktails are all about sophisticated flavors, using fresh herbs and botanicals to create drinks that are anything but ordinary. Move beyond simple juice and soda with these elegant, contemporary sips.

The Cucumber Mint Refresher

You can offer your guests pure refreshment with this crisp and cool drink. It's incredibly easy to make and looks stunning in a clear glass. This is the perfect light and hydrating non-alcoholic option for a warm day or a chic brunch.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 large cucumbers, chopped

• Juice of 2-3 limes

• ½ cup fresh mint leaves

• 4 cups of water

• Ice and cucumber ribbons for garnish 🥒

How to Make It:

1. Simply blend the chopped cucumbers, mint leaves, and lime juice on high for about 30 seconds.

2. Strain the mixture to get all the fresh juice.

3. Pour over ice in a tall glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.

Lavender Haze Lemonade

You can create a beautiful and aromatic drink with this Lavender Haze Lemonade. The floral notes of lavender combined with tangy lemon create a truly special flavor. Its gorgeous purple hue makes it an instant star at any party.

Pro Tip: Making a lavender simple syrup is easy! Just simmer ¼ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and a few fresh lavender sprigs for 10 minutes. Let it cool completely before using.

Let's Mix It:

1. In a shaker, combine ½ cup frozen blueberries, 1 oz of your lavender syrup, and the juice of 1 lemon with ice.

2. Shake well for about a minute.

3. Pour the entire contents into a glass and top with lemon-flavored sparkling water.

No-Jolt Espresso Mocktini

You don't need alcohol to enjoy a sophisticated evening drink. Just like a non-alcoholic g&t or an alcohol-free passion fruit martini, this mocktini delivers on style without the buzz. It’s rich, foamy, and perfect for after-dinner conversation.

Ingredients for One Drink:

• 2 oz. chilled espresso or strong coffee

• ½ oz. simple syrup

• A splash of vanilla extract

• Ice

Shake all ingredients vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice for at least 20 seconds to create a nice foam. Strain into a coupe or martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans.

Chile-Cucumber Agua Fresca

For guests who love a little adventure, you can serve this spicy and refreshing agua fresca. The combination of cool cucumber and a slight kick of chile creates a perfectly balanced mocktail. This is one of those non-alcoholic recipes that proves an alcohol-free drink can be the most exciting one on the menu.

How to Make It:

1. Blend 1 large chopped cucumber, 4 cups of water, the juice of 2 limes, and 1-2 thin slices of jalapeño (seeds removed for less heat).

2. Add a tablespoon of agave or honey to sweeten.

3. Strain the mixture and serve over ice with a lime wheel.

Choosing the Best Cocktails Cups

You've crafted the perfect mocktail, and now it's time to serve it. The right glass does more than just hold the drink; it elevates the entire experience. Choosing the best cocktails cups can make your beautiful creations look even more impressive.

The Trend of Textured Glass

Have you noticed the beautiful ribbed and fluted glassware popping up everywhere? Textured glass is a huge trend because it adds a wonderful tactile feel and visual interest to any drink. It catches the light beautifully and gives even a simple beverage a touch of vintage elegance.

Sustainable and Chic Materials

As hosts become more eco-conscious, the demand for sustainable options is growing. You can find stylish and chic cocktails cups made from recycled glass or other eco-friendly materials. These choices show you care about presentation and the planet.

Showcasing Mocktails in Clear Cups

When you have a drink as colorful as a Sunrise Sparkler or a Lavender Haze Lemonade, you want to show it off! This is where crystal-clear cocktails cups truly shine. For a large party, you need a practical and stylish solution.

Host Like a Pro Tip: For ultimate convenience without sacrificing style, try Jolly Chef's Multiple Sizes Clear Heavy Duty PET Plastic Cups.

• Their crystal-clear design is perfect for showing off those vibrant layers.

• They are made from durable, BPA-free PET plastic, so you don't have to worry about breakage or safety.

• With multiple sizes (12, 16, and 20oz), you have the perfect cup for every recipe.

These disposable cocktails cups mean cleanup is a breeze, helping you Host Like a Pro and spend more time with your guests.

You see how simple it is to elevate your party with a thoughtful non-alcoholic drink menu. These 12 recipes are a great starting point for your creativity. Feel free to experiment and create your own unique nonalcoholic mocktails! We hope you enjoy making these non-alcoholic drinks. Try one of these nonalcoholic options at your next gathering and let us know how it goes! 🎉

FAQ

Can I prepare these mocktails in advance?

You can definitely prep some parts ahead! Mix the juices and syrups and store them in the fridge. Just wait to add any sparkling water or soda until right before you serve. This keeps your drinks fresh and bubbly for your guests. 🍾

How can I make these drinks kid-friendly for Christmas?

Many of these recipes are already perfect for kids! For a fun Christmas twist, you can serve drinks like the Roy Rogers or Cranberry-Ginger Fizz. Just use fun straws and maybe add a festive candy cane for garnish. It makes the Christmas celebration special for everyone.

Where can I find good non-alcoholic spirits?

You can find many great zero-proof products online or in large grocery stores. Look in the aisle with mixers and club soda. These non-alcoholic gins, whiskeys, and rums can easily elevate your mocktail game and add complex flavors to your drinks.

What if I don't have a cocktail shaker?

No problem at all! You can use a mason jar or any other container with a tight-fitting lid. Just add your ingredients, secure the lid, and shake well. It works just as well for mixing your delicious mocktails.