Non-Alcoholic Drinks – 10 Mocktails You Can Make This Holiday

There’s no reason why alcohol-free cocktails should be bland. You might not feel the “buzz”, but your tastes buds sure will!

Apple Margarita (makes 6 glasses)

Prepare your glass with a salt rim: place salt on a plate, run a slice of lime around the rim of the glass, and the dip the rim into the salt to coat. Add the following to a high-speed blender and process until smooth: 3 cups sparkling apple juice, 2 teaspoons lime zest, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 4 cups ice cubes. Pour into the glasses and decorate with a slice of apple or lime.

Mojito Makeover (2 glass)

Crush a small bunch of mint with 1 tablespoon sugar using a mortar and pestle. Add crushed ice to your glasses, divide the juice of three limes, and add the mint. Top with sparkling or tonic water and enjoy! If you can’t consume sugar, you can also use a sugar alternative like Splenda or even agave nectar.

Fruity mocktail

Make this delicious summer mocktail for one. Chop ½-inch piece of cucumber with 1 sprig of mint. Bring ¾ cup water to a boil and add the mint mixture. Turn off the heat and leave to soak for a few minutes. Add to a tall glass, top with crushed red berries, crushed ice, and lemonade. Garnish with any fruit you like.

New York Sour

This mocktail makes 1 glass. Pour freshly boiled water over 1 teaspoon tea leaves, leave for a few minutes, then strain. Add a few drops of vanilla extract. Pour the tea, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 3 teaspoons maple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add 1 tablespoon egg white into the shaker, and shake well until frothy. Add ice and shake again. Strain to a glass, add 2 teaspoons pomegranate juice and enjoy!

Alcohol-free G&T (Makes 8)

If you love your G&Ts, then you’ll love this mocktail. In a large measuring jug, add 5 crushed cardamom pods, sliced cucumber (from ½ cucumber), 1 chamomile tea bag, mint leaves (to taste), lemon zest (to taste), 5 cloves, and a sprig of rosemary. Top with 2 cups of cold water and let it in infuse (in the refrigerator) for at least 2 hours. To serve, strain ¼ cup into a glass and top with tonic water.

Grapefruit Mocktail (Makes 8)

Add 1 ½ cups castor sugar and 1 ½ cups water to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Add 1 ½ cups grapefruit juice and stir to combine. Refrigerate the mixture for about an hour (it should be cold).  Once cold, add to a large jug with 5 cups of sparkling water and extra grapefruit slices.

Peach Melba

We love Peach Melba anything and this recipe does not disappoint. Add the following ingredients to a cocktail shaker: ½ cup peach nectar, ¼ cup fresh raspberries, and ice. Shake well to make sure the ingredients combine. Add to your glass and top with sparkling water and more ice if needed. Garnish with fresh peach slices.

Pear

Pear and rose make a great combination in this mocktail. In a large pan, add 4 cups pear juice, 1 vanilla pod, 1 tablespoon castor sugar, 4 cardamom pods, and 1 tablespoon fresh ginger. Bring to a simmer, take of the heat and leave to cool. Strain into a large jug and add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon rosewater, and 1 cup sparkling water.

Blackcurrant mocktail

This recipe is so easy, it’ll become one of your favorites! In a large saucepan over medium heat bring, 1 ½ cups sugar and 1 ½ cups water to a simmer. Add the zest and juice of 2 lemons, and 10 ½ oz blackcurrants. Cook until the blackcurrants begin to soften and burst open. Strain into a jug. To serve, mix 2 tablespoons of the blackcurrant mix with ½ cup sparkling water.

Piña colada mocktail

In a saucepan over medium heat, add 3.5oz dark brown sugar and 3oz water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add a few pieces of pineapple skin, 5 black peppercorns, 5 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil, turn off the heat, and leave to cool completely. Strain and set aside. To serve, pour ½ cup pineapple juice into a tall glass, add 3 tablespoons coconut milk or cream, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Stir to combine. Fill the glass with crushed ice, then add 2 tablespoons of the syrup you made. Enjoy!