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Best Mocktails for Summer Sipping


 

June 12, 2023

No alcohol? No problem! We’ve gathered together some of the best mocktails, featuring flavorful, alcohol-free spirits mixed with summery favorites like pineapple, berries, coconut, and mint, for a refreshing, delicious treat.

So sit back, relax, and drink in summer with these marvelous mocktails!

Drink Monday

Free of alcohol, full of spirit! Mezcal Was: $50.00 Now: $42.00

Related: Easy Summer Meal Prep for Shift Workers

Best Mocktails with Non-Alcoholic Mezcal

Made from the agave plant, mezcal is similar to tequila but is known for bringing a smokier, more complex flavor to cocktails compared to tequila. The strong and smoky flavor of mezcal and non-alcoholic mezcal means it pairs well with spices, citrus, tropical fruits, and more.

Smoky Citrus Cooler

Smoky Citrus Cooler - Best Mocktails for Summer Sipping

The Paloma, a cocktail popular in Mexico, traditionally uses grapefruit soda and tequila for a refreshing and tangy cocktail. Our take on the Paloma combines grapefruit juice and mezcal instead for a smokier, more complex drink.

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic mezcal
4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz lime juice
1 oz agave syrup
Salt and chili powder (for rim)
Club soda
Grapefruit slice (for garnish)

Instructions:

  • In a shaker, combine the non-alcoholic mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup
  • Shake well until mixed
  • Run a lime wedge or grapefruit wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip it in a mix of salt and chili powder
  • Fill the glass with ice and strain the shaker contents inside
  • Top with club soda and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

Smoky Sunrise

Smoky Sunrise - Best Mocktails for Summer Sipping

This Tequila Sunrise-like drink features non-alcoholic mezcal instead of tequila but produces the same layered effect as the original. Bright red grenadine sinks to the bottom below a layer of orange for a drink that looks as great as it tastes.

Ingredients:
2 oz non-alcoholic mezcal
4 oz orange juice
½ oz grenadine
Orange slice (for garnish)
Cherry (for garnish)

Instructions:

  • Put ice cubes in a highball or Collins glass
  • Pour the non-alcoholic mezcal in first
  • Add the orange juice and stir to combine
  • Slowly pour the grenadine in next and let it sink to the bottom
  • Garnish with an orange slice and cherry

P.M. Smash

P.M. Smash - Best Mocktails for Summer Sipping

This Pineapple-Mezcal Smash is a delicious marriage of sweet pineapple and tangy lime with smoky mezcal for a sophisticated tropical mocktail.

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic mezcal
2 oz pineapple juice
¾ oz lime juice
½ oz simple syrup
Pineapple wedge or slice (for garnish)
Ice cubes

Instructions:

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes
  • Add non-alcoholic mezcal, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup
  • Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
  • Fill a glass with fresh ice
  • Strain the mocktail inside
  • Garnish with a pineapple wedge or slice

Best Mocktails with Non-Alcoholic Gin

Gin is made from grain spirits and redistilled with juniper berries and other flavors for a crispy and aromatic flavor profile. Gin (and non-alcoholic gin) goes especially well with citrus, herbs, floral flavors, bitters, and cucumber.

Sunshine Splash

Elderflower cordial adds a wonderful floral and fragrant note to this summery take on the classic gin and tonic.

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic gin
4 oz tonic water
1 oz elderflower cordial
Fresh lime juice, squeeze
Lime slice (for garnish)
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

  • In a highball glass, combine the non-alcoholic gin, elderflower cordial, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice
  • Stir well until combined
  • Fill the glass with ice and top with tonic water
  • Garnish with a slice of lime and fresh mint leaves

Red Zapper

Red Zapper - Best Mocktails for Summer Sipping

Like the vodka-based Bloody Mary, the Red Snapper is a wonderfully spicy and savory summer cocktail that uses gin instead. Have fun with this non-alcoholic gin alternative, the Red Zapper, by loading it up with savory garnishes!

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic gin
4 oz tomato juice
½ oz fresh lemon juice
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes of hot sauce
Pinch of celery salt
Pinch of black pepper
Optional garnish: Celery stalk, lemon wedge, crispy bacon strip, cherry tomato, olive, pickle … anything goes!

Instructions:

  • Fill a glass with ice cubes
  • Add non-alcoholic gin, tomato juice, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper
  • Stir to mix ingredients
  • Taste and adjust celery salt and black pepper to taste
  • Garnish with one or more of the garnishes listed above

Gin and Cucumber Smash

So crisp and refreshing! This simple mixed drink is a breeze to whip up when you need to cool down.

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic gin
1 oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
8 fresh mint leaves (save one for garnish)
6 cucumber slices
Ice cubes

Instructions:

  • Muddle mint leaves and cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker to release their flavors
  • Add non-alcoholic gin, lime juice, and simple syrup, then fill with ice cubes
  • Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to combine flavors
  • Fill a glass with fresh ice cubes
  • Strain the mocktail inside
  • Garnish with mint leaf

Best Mocktails with Non-Alcoholic Whiskey

Whiskey is known as a great winter drink, as it’s warming and pairs well with spices like cinnamon. But it’s also a wonderful base for a summer drink since it stands up well to strong flavors like ginger beer, citrus, and even coconut!

Summer Spice

Summer Spice - Best Mocktails for Summer Sipping

This is like a lemony version of a Moscow Mule, but with non-alcoholic whiskey instead of vodka for extra flavor. Serve in a copper mug if you have one, or your favorite mocktail glass if you don’t.

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic whiskey
4 oz ginger beer
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Lemon wheel (for garnish)

Instructions:

  • In a glass, combine the non-alcoholic whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup
  • Stir well until combined
  • Fill the glass with ice and top with ginger beer
  • Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lemon wheel

Raspberry-Mint Julep

Classic mint juleps are so simple yet sophisticated. This alcohol-free mint julep adds in raspberry for a fresh and colorful summer twist.

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic whiskey
6-8 fresh raspberries
5 fresh mint leaves (plus one for garnish)
½ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
Crushed ice

Instructions:

  • Muddle raspberries and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass to release their flavors
  • Add non-alcoholic whiskey and simple syrup and mix gently
  • Fill a glass with crushed ice
  • Strain the mocktail into the glass
  • Garnish with mint

Coconut Old Fashioned

If you don’t have coconut syrup, try a combo of simple syrup and coconut cream or even coconut water instead.

Ingredients:

2 oz non-alcoholic whiskey
½ oz coconut syrup
2 dashes of aromatic bitters
Orange twist (garnish)

Instructions:

  • Add coconut syrup or coconut water and aromatic bitters into old fashioned glass
  • Stir to mix and dissolve the syrup
  • Add ice cubes
  • Pour the non-alcoholic whiskey over the ice and stir gently
  • Garnish with orange twist