Hot day? Maybe you’re going to the beach and just want something that bit more refreshing? Or maybe you’re with your kids and want them to enjoy the drinks as much as you. Maybe you’re driving. Or you may even be pregnant – congratulations if so! Well we’ve got some good news for you! We have the top five non-alcoholic cocktails and mocktails to quench your thirst on these beautiful summer days.
There’s a couple of things you should know first. These mocktails work like any other cocktail, and so that means you can add some alcohol to any of them. Rum is recommended if you’re looking for something extra sweet. If you are having mocktails at the moment because you’re pregnant, we would definitely recommend trying them with alcohol at a later date. Also, it’s not recommended to rim the glass with sugar, as these mocktails are very fruity which means that they’re already swimming in those delicious natural sugars.
If you want something a little less sweet, ice can balance out the sweetness, but it’s quite easy to play around with measures with these. As there’s no alcohol, it’s easier to experiment. It’s not like you’re going to end up something overpowered with ethanol, so if you have a sweet-tooth then play around with measures! Add a little bit extra fruit, or even take some out depending on what you feel is right for you.
1) Pomegranate/ Raspberry Mojito Mocktail
Missing Mojitos? This is for the beach and for the hot days outside. It can be made with either Pomegranate or Raspberry depending on your taste. This is the perfect mocktail to sip in the sun, with the waves splashing against the shore.
The pomegranate mojito mocktail takes a little bit more time due to the preparation, so if you’re in a rush go for the raspberry one.
Pomegranate:
Ingredients:
3 tbsp pomegranate seeds
Mint leaves
2 limes
1 litre pomegranate juice
500ml lemonade
A day before you make the mocktail, place pomegranate seeds in ice cube tray, top up with water and freeze.
Tear up the half of the mint leaves and put into a jug. Quarter the limes and add three quarters of them. Bash the remaining mint and lime with a rolling pin. Add the pomegranate juice and lemonade. Add the ice cubes in four glasses. Strain the mixture into these glasses and add the remaining mint and lime.
Raspberry:
Ingredients:
3 or 4 raspberries for the drink
Raspberries to garnish, amount depends on preference
2 tbsp of simple syrup
60 ml raspberry juice
2 tbsp lime juice (about half a medium sized lime)
120 ml mineral water
Add raspberries, mint, and syrup to tall glass.
Squish with a wooden spoon to release flavours then fill the glass with ice. Add raspberry juice, then lime juice (about the amount from half a medium sized lime), then fill with mineral water. Garnish with raspberries and/or lime wedge.
2) Margarita Mocktail
Margaritas are and always will be for parties. Easy to make in bulk, they’re perfect to leave out with a ladle so that everyone can serve themselves. Just watch as everyone’s face lights up after the first sip!
Ingredients:
55ml honey
25ml concentrate limeade
25ml lime juice (fresh is best)
15ml grapefruit juice (make sure everyone can drink grapefruit juice first!)
2 drops of almond extract
0.25 teaspoons of orange extract
Salt
Teaspoon of chili powder
Limes
This one is simple. Add everything into a blender apart from the salt, chili powder, and extra limes. Add some ice (how much you want depends on preference, but 120ml or so is a good start). Blend until smooth.
Rim the glass with the chili powder and salt. Garnish with wedges of lime.
3) Peach Bellini Mocktail
The perfect brunch mocktail. Maybe work is piling up and you just want to take a few moments to relax with friends. This is perfect for you. You get all the benefits of a tasty morning cocktail, without having to work tipsy.
This a nice, quick and easy recipe.
Ingredients:
60ml peach juice
180ml ginger ale/orange cordial
60ml fresh berries
Pour the peach juice evenly between two champagne glasses. Top up with ginger ale and berries. It really is that simple, and yet it tastes amazing!
4) Paloma Fizz Mocktail
This one is for meals. The savoury hint of rosemary adds a little bit of herby goodness to any meal. So if you’re not drinking wine, then this is the perfect substitute! Give it a try with any meal, but chicken and other white meats will be complimented greatly by this mocktail.
Ingredients:
60ml sugar
60ml water
1 sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped
1 rosemary sprig, fresh
60ml pink grapefruit juice (again, check everyone can drink it)
155ml mineral water
Grapefruit slice
First, make the syrup. Add the water and the sugar to a pot, before adding the chopped rosemary. Simmer and cook to reduce and wait until the sugar is dissolved. This should take 3-4 minutes. Strain into a container, then seal. Put it into the fridge to cool.
Now for the drink itself. Pour the grapefruit juice and the cooled syrup into a Collins glass. Stir it to mix. Add the mineral water and finish off with ice. Garnish with the rosemary and grapefruit.
5) Sangria Mocktail
Sangrias in the park. This drink is perfect for any weather. It’s for a party inside or out, but one things for certain, there will be a party in your mouth when you taste it. A classic mocktail for those who love a classic and refreshing taste.
The reason this drink is so perfect for parties is because you can make a lot of it in a very short amount of time.
Ingredients:
960ml passion fruit juice
1920ml sparkling water or ginger ale
Fresh kiwi, sliced (at least one)
Orange, sliced (at least one)
Star fruit, sliced (optional)
Lime, sliced (at least one)
120ml fresh cranberries
Fill a large pitcher or bowl with ice. Add the passion fruit juice and sparkling water/ginger ale. Add the fruit slices, the amount is up to you and you may want to play around with different kinds of fruit, too!
Then all you have to do is either refrigerate it or serve it straight away!
6) Pineapple-Orange Sherbet Punch
Something sweet is around the corner. This punch will take you right back to those childhood days of drinking sherbet. Perfect to share, serving 24 people, this is a punch not only for parties, but for those who still have a child at heart!
Ingredients:
1 carton orange sherbet
1 can of pineapple juice
1.5 litres of Hawaiian Punch (best chilled)
1 litre of ginger ale
In a large punch bowl, start by stirring the orange sherbet into the pineapple juice. When this is well mixed top it up with the Hawaiian Punch, and then the ginger ale. Best served with a ladle.
7) Cherry Coketail
This has an edge on any soft drink. If you want to be more interesting than just stockpiling cans upon cans of soft drinks at the party, then this is definitely worth a try! Just like a Jack and Coke, this drink is perfect to swirl in your hand when you’re having those dinner party conversations.
Ingredients:
14g maraschino cherry juice/syrup (but any cherry will do, really)
7g vanilla extract
1 squeeze of lime
Cola (diet or regular, it’s really up to your taste)
Pour the cherry juice and vanilla into a glass. Squeeze in the lime. If you want, add some ice here. Then top it up with your cola!
8) Choctail
You won’t be able to resist this one! Chocolate in a drink. This really is great for kids and adults alike. Perfect for those colder days in front of a movie and a fire, or those hot days celebrating any number of things. Who wouldn’t want a chocolate fountain in a glass?
Ingredients (makes three):
150g milk chocolate bar
210ml milk
75ml vanilla syrup
3 squares of milk chocolate (or any fruit you wish to use as garnish)
Ice
Pour the milk into a saucepan and simmer. Break off half the chocolate bar into squares and add. Stir gently until melted and mixed. Allow to cool for one hour at room temperature before placing it in the fridge.
Pour the mixture into a shaker and add the vanilla syrup. Add ice. Shaker for around a minute and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with chocolate or your choice of fruit.
9) Mango Fizz
Minty, fresh, and tropical. This is a perfect and zesty choice for anyone opting for the non-alcoholic option. Get the great beachy taste and feel from in your own home while it’s raining outside! Bring the sun to you!
Ingredients:
25ml ginger ale
5 mint leaves
25ml mango pureé
25ml lime juice
25 ml sugar syrup
1 extra sprig of mint
Crushed ice
Crush the mint leaves by clapping your hands together with it in your palms. Place the mint at the bottom of a tall glass. Add sugar syrup and mango pureé, and muddle. Fill the glass three quarters full of crushed ice. Pour in the ginger ale. Stir and top up with more ice and with the lime juice. Garnish with the sprig of mint.
10) Watermelon Cooler
Perfectly healthy and great for any summer party. This can just sit in the corner and your guests will gravitate towards it. They won’t be able to get enough after that first taste! Just an all round great and relaxing drink that tastes smooth on the tongue.
Ingredients:
3tbsp coconut palm sugar
120ml boiling water
60ml lemon juice (about two medium lemons)
1420ml watermelon juice (made in a blender from slicing up the watermelon into cubes)
5 mint sprigs
475ml club soda
Ice and lemon slices
In a pitcher, mix the coconut palm sugar with the boiling water. Wait until it’s dissolved. Add lemon juice and stir. Allow to cool.
Add the watermelon juice and mint. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 9 to 24 hours.
Add the club soda and serve with ice, a fresh sprig of mint and a slice of lemon.