12 Easy Mocktail Recipes That Actually Taste Good
I have a lot of opinions about mocktails. My strongest ones: they need to taste great (not depressing), and they need to be simple to pull together.
But mocktails can be tricky to pull off because, let’s face it, alcohol is pretty special. Fortunately, I’m a very determined person, and when I got pregnant, I decided I wasn’t willing to settle for sad mocktails.
After a lot of trial and error (and maybe a few tears), I’ve created twelve easy mocktail recipes that are both delicious and simple to make.
I’ve separated them into three categories: mocktails with grocery store ingredients, mocktails with homemade syrups, and mocktails with zero-proof spirits. While most of these recipes call for a cocktail shaker, a mason jar works just as well. You can even chill and stir the ingredients if you don’t have either.
So let’s dive into the recipes!
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Mocktails with Grocery Store Ingredients
Many of my favorite mocktail recipes use ingredients you can find in your pantry or at the grocery store. I’m a strong believer in using fresh juices (especially citrus), but high-quality refrigerated options can work well too.
My biggest tip: avoid juices that are “from concentrate,” as they tend to be overly sweet and artificial-tasting.
Fresh herbs and different types of vinegar are two of my go-to ways to level up non-alcoholic beverages. Although I make my own syrups for some recipes (more on that later), many of these mocktails use flavored syrups you can easily find at the grocery store or on Amazon.
1. Virgin Lychee Mimosa
This non-alcoholic lychee mimosa uses just two ingredients and is incredibly refreshing. Bonus: the recipe includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions if you’re serving a crowd.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Lychee soft drink (such as Calpico)
- 3.5 oz sparkling water
2. Apple Cider Mocktail
This apple cider mocktail combines apple cider with fresh citrus and bubbly lemonade for a crisp, refreshing drink. It’s delicious year-round but especially fun in the fall.
Ingredients
- 3 oz apple cider
- ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
- 3 oz Sanpellegrino Limonata
3. Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
My virgin Moscow Mule adds a splash of white wine vinegar for kick and fresh basil for herby complexity that helps it feel like a real mule.
Ingredients
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ tsp white wine vinegar
- 1-2 fresh basil leaves
- ¼ oz simple syrup
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 2 oz sparkling water
4. Pink Lady Mocktail
This twist on the signature Pink Lady cocktail incorporates elderflower tonic water for a refreshing floral note that mimics some of the “bite” of alcohol.
Ingredients
- 2 oz apple juice
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¼ oz grenadine
- ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 oz elderflower tonic water
- 1 egg white (optional, for topper)
5. Cinderella Mocktail
The classic Cinderella mocktail combines tropical fruit juices, grenadine, and bubbles. My version uses a mix of ginger beer and ginger ale to keep it from leaning too sweet.
Ingredients
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 oz fresh pineapple juice
- 1 oz ginger beer
- 1 oz ginger ale
- ~2/3 oz grenadine
- Gold luster dust (optional)
- Caster sugar for rim (optional)
6. Pear Elderflower Mocktail
Pear juice and elderflower syrup pair with citrus and ginger for a delicate, complex mocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz pear juice
- ¾ oz elderflower syrup
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 oz ginger beer
- 1 ¾ oz sparkling water
7. Cranberry Cosmo Mocktail
If you love a good cosmopolitan, this cranberry-orange mocktail echoes the flavors of the classic cocktail. What it lacks in alcohol, it makes up for in bubbles.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz unsweetened cranberry juice
- ½ oz cranberry syrup
- ¾ oz orange syrup
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 oz ginger beer
- 2 oz sparkling water
Mocktails with Homemade Syrups
These simple mocktail recipes involve just one extra step: making a flavored syrup. Although it might sound a little daunting, it’s actually very easy, and my recipes include step-by-step instructions.
Since the syrups in these recipes are delicate and herb-forward, I think making them from scratch is worth the effort. That said, you can certainly use a high-quality store-bought syrup if you’re short on time.
8. Pomegranate Thyme Mocktail
A delicate homemade thyme syrup and a touch of lime help set this fruity mocktail apart.
Ingredients
- 2 oz pomegranate juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz homemade thyme syrup
- 3-4 oz Spindrift lime-flavored sparkling water
9. Lavender Lemon Mocktail
Lavender mocktails don’t have to taste soapy. This drink uses fresh citrus and elderflower tonic water to balance the floral notes of the lavender syrup.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 ¼ oz homemade lavender syrup
- 2 oz elderflower tonic water
- 4 oz sparkling water
- Liquid red & blue food coloring
Mocktails with Zero-Proof Spirits
Lastly, these mocktail recipes use zero-proof spirits in place of alcohol.
I’m not normally a big proponent of non-alcoholic spirits since they vary a lot and can be disappointing, but I really like Ritual Zero Proof’s Agave Spirit Alternative (non-alcoholic tequila). You can even find it on Amazon, which makes it easy to get your hands on.
This zero-proof tequila helps these mocktails mimic the “bite” of alcohol. It’s easy to use and is a fun way to make your drink feel more like a real cocktail.
10. Tequila Sunrise Mocktail
Light and refreshing, this twist on the classic tequila sunrise is perfect for brunch and beyond.
Ingredients
- ½ oz zero-proof tequila alternative
- 3 oz fresh orange juice
- ¼ oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz sparkling water
- ¼-½ oz grenadine
11. Mango Margarita Mocktail
I created this virgin mango margarita after an unforgettable stay at a Mexico resort. I’m not usually a fan of salt rims, but the Tajín really complements the mango here.
Ingredients
- 2 oz zero-proof tequila alternative
- 1 ½ oz Naked Mighty Mango Machine smoothie
- 1 ½ oz mango juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz light agave
- Tajín (optional – for glass rim)
12. Bubbly Grapefruit Mocktail
Grapefruit mocktails can easily lean too sweet or too tart, but this Paloma-style drink uses Fever-Tree grapefruit soda and agave for just the right balance.
- 1 ½ oz zero-proof tequila alternative
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz light agave
- 4 oz Fever-Tree grapefruit soda
- Tajín (Optional – for glass rim)
More Mocktail Mixology
Looking for more tips to level up your mocktails? Read these posts next.
The Difference Between Cocktails & Mocktails
Learn the difference between cocktails and mocktails, and how to make mocktails that actually taste good.
How to Make Clear Ice Cubes at Home
Make your mocktails stand out with large, crystal-clear ice cubes.
