If you've ever been met with a mocktail that was less than exciting, drop your worries at the door. These are the best mocktails to outshine all the others. And I mean all of them. Not only are these more than just the usual kiddy cocktail with ginger ale, but they're the best place to get started on a mocktail journey that isn't plain and ordinary. Life's too short for that nonsense.
Citrus Fizz Mocktail
The recipe calls for nonalcoholic gin to bring those iconic juniper notes to life in the fizz, but don't sweat it if you don't have any. If grapefruit is more your speed, then a grapefruit Paloma mocktail will certainly hit the spot.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces nonalcoholic gin
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add nonalcoholic gin, lemon juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to the shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Designated Driver Daiquiri
The triple D here doesn't stand for diners, drive-ins, and dives - it stands for the designated driver's favorite drink of the evening with a strawberry twist. Lean a little further into the tropical vibes with blue mocktails, or go with more traditional tropical mocktails.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces nonalcoholic silver rum OR coconut water
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce strawberry syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic silver rum, lime juice, and strawberry syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Sunrise Mocktail
Lean into the early morning Zoom meeting, camera on nonetheless, with a colorful beverage that will make things a little less bothersome. If you know your 'gram will love a picture of these, then check out a few other jaw-dropping mocktails.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces nonalcoholic silver tequila, optional
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- 3 ounces mango juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Orange wheel and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic silver tequila, pineapple juice, mango juice, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Slowly add grenadine, pouring down the inside of the glass and allowing it to sink.
- Garnish with an orange wheel and cherry.
Fake 75
There are a few more falsehoods in this French 75 mocktail recipe than just the nonalcoholic gin. But even classics need a makeover from time to time.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce nonalcoholic gin
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce nonalcoholic orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce thyme simple syrup
- Ice
- Sparkling nonalcoholic white wine to top off
- Cocktail cherry and lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a Champagne flute.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic gin, lemon juice, orange liqueur, and thyme simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Top off with nonalcoholic sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry and lemon twist.
Planter's Not-So-Punch Mocktail
With or without nonalcoholic dark rum, this not-so-punchy mocktail is great as a shower beverage, before heading out for dinner, or just a little something extra to enjoy because it's a rainy Tuesday. There are plenty of other mocktail punch recipes to choose from if you're feeling punchy.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces nonalcoholic dark or spiced rum
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- 1 ounce club soda
- Orange wedge and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic rum, orange juice, lime juice, grenadine, lemon juice, and bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Add club soda.
- Garnish with an orange wedge and cherry, piercing them together on a single cocktail skewer.
Cucumber Gimlet Mocktail
Served in a coupe glass or over some ice for an extra chilly mocktail, this is one of the best mocktails for any occasion. If you love muddling, then try out a mocktail mint julep recipe - or five!
Ingredients
- 2-3 cucumber slices
- 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup
- 1 ounce nonalcoholic gin, optional
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Cucumber ribbon and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber slices with lime juice.
- Add ice and rosemary simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and rosemary sprig.
Smashing Mocktail
Grab your muddler and smash these fresh flavors together in the best mocktail for something a bit crisper. Perfect for when you're debating whether to send that text message.
Ingredients
- 1-2 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1-2 fresh pear slices
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce orgeat
- Ice
- Vanilla club soda to top off
- Thyme sprig and pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the thyme sprigs and pear slices with lemon juice.
- Add orgeat.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with vanilla club soda.
- Garnish with a thyme sprig and pear slice.
Bee's Knees Mocktail
Are you looking for the best mocktail to jazz up your night? Or to really gear up to go roaring into the weekend? Well, I think you'll think that this cocktail is the bee's knees. Do you really want to take it to the next level? Add a splash of nonalcoholic sparkling wine just before garnishing.
There are plenty of other classic cocktails to enjoy as mocktails, including the best virgin old-fashioned.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces nonalcoholic gin OR 1½ ounces rosemary-infused water
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey syrup
- Ice
- Thyme sprig and lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a thyme sprig and lemon ribbon.
Berrymary Mocktail
You know that raspberry syrup you've been eyeing that you only sometimes use in your coffee? Let 'er rip and give her a reason to shine in the best mocktail to utilize that bottle. Can't get enough of cranberry mocktails? There are plenty to choose from, including a virgin cosmo.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces nonalcoholic silver tequila
- ¾ ounce raspberry syrup
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 2-3 dashes cinnamon bitters
- Ice
- Rosemary sprig and lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic silver tequila, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, cranberry juice, and cinnamon bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and rosemary sprig.
Coconut-tini Mocktail
Put the lime in the coconut and leave the bottle of spirit on the shelf at the liquor store. Don't forget the shredded coconut rim. And if you're feeling like taking this mocktail from better to best, toast your shredded coconut first. Take a trip to mocktail mango town if you're looking for more sunshine in a glass.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and shredded coconut for rim
- 2 ounces coconut milk
- ¾ ounce cream of coconut
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce pineapple juice
- Ice
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the shredded coconut on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the coconut to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add coconut milk, cream of coconut, lime juice, and pineapple juice.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
Five-Star Mocktails
Don't settle for anything less than the best when you're making your way through life - and that holds true for mocktails, too. Why stop dreaming about a remarkable happy hour if you're skipping the booze? You shouldn't.
