Quick & Easy Mocktail Recipes, 3 Ways

For those hopping on the mocktail trend or simply looking to improve their drink-making skills, this guide offers three versatile and easy mocktail recipes and formulas for crafting delicious non-alcoholic beverages. These easy-to-follow ideas show how to transform almost any ingredient into a refreshing, alcohol-free treat.

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About these easy mocktail recipes

Whether you’re hopping on the mocktail train, trying out Dry January or just want to up your skills, I wanted to share my top three recipes for making non-alcoholic with just about anything. These recipes work all year round.

Mocktails are more than just a trend — they’re a fun and creative way to enjoy delicious, booze-free drinks anytime. Whether you’re fully committed to going alcohol-free or just want a tasty alternative now and then, having a few versatile mocktail recipes in your back pocket can make all the difference.

I’ve rounded up my top three recipes that prove you don’t need alcohol to make a flavorful and refreshing drink. With just about anything you have on hand, you can whip up something special to sip and savor. Let’s dive in and explore the magic of zero-proof mixology!

1. The Classic Mocktail

1:1 swaps with zero-proof spirits

This lets you take your favorite cocktail recipes, like a margarita or a gin & tonic, and turn them into non-alcoholic masterpieces. All you need is a zero-proof spirit that emulates the flavors of your favorite spirit.

Then in your cocktail recipe, just replace it 1:1. So if you need 2 ounces of whiskey, then you’d want to use 2 ounces of a whiskey-tasting zero-proof spirit. Try it in a mojito or a mint julep.

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2. The Sour 

2 ounces zero-proof spirit + 1 ounce sweetener + 1 ounce sour citrus juice

The Sour is a kind of cocktail that features a spirit, a sweetener and something, well, sour. Think a whiskey sour — it’s a classic recipe that’s balanced and easy to customize. 

In cocktails, we call this the “golden ratio,” but it works beautifully with mocktails too. Try it with one of these classics:

• virgin daiquiri (rum alternative + simple syrup + lime juice)
• virgin gimlet (gin alternative + simple syrup + lime juice)
• bee’s knees mocktail (gin alternative + honey syrup + lemon juice)
• gold rush mocktail (whiskey alternative + honey syrup + lemon juice)
• virgin margarita (tequila alternative + simple syrup + lime juice)
• lemon drop martini mocktail (vodka alternative + simple syrup + lemon juice)

3. The Free Spirit

2 ounces juice + ½ ounce citrus + 4-6 ounces soda 

This is a recipe of my own creation. I call it the Free Spirit, because there’s no zero-proof spirit involved. It’s a super handy recipe, because even I, a drink blogger, don’t always have zero-proof spirits around!

You may need to tweak the ratios to your liking but start here and go from there. (That’s what free spirits do!) This pomegranate mocktail and apple cider mocktail both started with this simple formula.

1. Start with some kind of fruit juice (cranberry juice, apple cider, etc.) as your base. (You might need a splash of flavored or plain simple syrup if you are using a tart or bitter base like pomegranate or grapefruit.) 
2. Add a spritz of lemon, lime, grapefruit or orange for balance and interest. 
3. Top it off with a splash of nearly neutral-flavored bubbles, like sparkling cider, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda or club soda. 
4. Throw on a dash or two of non-alcoholic bitters, if you like!