The Best Mocktail Recipes

Mocktails don’t have to be boring! Here are our favorite non-alcoholic mocktail recipes to serve whenever a booze-free drink is desired. 

Your ultimate guide to the best mocktails

The first rule of planning a party’s menu is to ensure you have refreshments that all your guests can enjoy. That adage also holds as true for drinks as it does for food. A good host should make sure every non-drinker has something to imbibe, no matter if they’re not drinking for health reasons or because they’re the designated driver or are underage.

But not all mocktails are for kids. Mocktails are the virgin versions of cocktails, so they can still feel grown-up and sophisticated. Minus the alcohol, these zero-proof beverages can be healthier and less expensive than their boozy counterparts. They can still be tasty, though!

Most cocktail recipes that have three or more ingredients can have a mocktail cousin, like the virgin Moscow mule or a frozen mock margarita, but you can also utilize zero-proof spirits that mimic the flavor of alcohol. Thanks to these alcohol-free​ options and tweaks to the recipes, it’s fairly easy to customize a classic drink with a solid base. 

Quick tips for hosting

It’s always a good idea to have some big-batch mocktail recipes and ingredients (like simple syrup, citrus juices, mixers and non-alcoholic bitters ^*) in your back pocket in case a non-drinker comes over. Instead of constantly mixing drinks, you can mingle and enjoy yourself (and some tasty drinks) — a win-win! It’s also nice if you want to have non-alcoholic drinks for yourself ready-to-go all week.

With just a little prep, you can have delicious, zero-proof sips whenever you need them. Big batch recipes like virgin sangria and peach iced tea are perfect to serve at parties and get-togethers.

What to serve with mocktails

Serve mocktails anytime you’d serve cocktails — they’re simply the alcohol-free version. You can enjoy them with all your favorite party snacks. Sweet drinks go well with salty foods like a cheese & charcuterie board or a dip like chips and salsa.

You can also enjoy mocktails with (or as) dessert, like an espresso martini mocktail or white Russian. They go well with everything from cakes to cookies.

Brunch is also a great time for mocktails. You can make non-alcoholic mimosas or virgin Bloody Marys to go with all your favorites.

The best mocktails

We all love a Shirley Temple, but there’s so much more to the world of mocktails. We pulled together our favorite non-alcoholic drinks that are perfect for any time of year.

Grab a cocktail shaker ^* and get ready to mix up a refreshing drink (or two). Serve them to non-drinkers or minors, or enjoy one yourself! Which one will you try first?