Non-alcoholic drinks used to have a pretty blah reputation—a Shirley Temple, club soda with lime—boring and occasionally awkwardly childish. Fortunately, there is a trend in alcohol-free options that rival their alcoholic counterparts in fun, sophistication, and deliciousness.
It’s easier to refrain from drinking alcohol without feeling excluded, thanks to the abundance of non-alcoholic wine, champagne, beer, and even spirits with low alcohol content. And it’s always a good idea to throw in a fun and refreshing mocktail, whether it’s for your guests or you. This article contains some favourite quick, delectable, and non-alcoholic recipes to serve at your upcoming gathering.
But first, what is a mocktail?
A mocktail is essentially a cocktail that doesn’t contain alcohol. As seen on Boisson, some are fruity concoctions, some are slightly more sophisticated, and some are based on cocktail recipes. These mocktails are ideal for serving both adults and children at holiday parties, and many of them would also be appropriate for baby showers or birthday celebrations.
Top 10 Mocktail Benefits
Suitable for Diet
Depending on the ingredients used, mocktails can be an excellent option for people trying to lose weight. Alcohol contains many calories and, once consumed, turns into sugar. These calories and sugars can be avoided because some mocktails use alcohol substitutes with no calories.
Additionally, the ingredients accompanying the alcohol substitutes can be low-calorie and sugar-free. Mocktails can also be a fantastic choice for those with diabetes or other conditions requiring close monitoring of their blood sugar levels.
No Hangover
It may surprise you that your body views the ethanol in alcohol as toxic. As a result, your body may feel pretty miserable the day after drinking. Also, possible side effects include headaches, dehydration, and nausea. By consuming mocktails, you can eliminate ethanol from the equation and prevent a hangover from ruining your day.
Has No Impact on Sleep
Alcohol alters your sleep pattern. You may experience nighttime awakenings if you drink alcohol in the evening. You wake up the next day with less sleep as a result. On the other hand, mocktails may contain ingredients like herbal tea that may aid your ability to get to sleep and stay asleep.
Successful Workouts
Physical fitness is essential to many of us. But unfortunately, the alcohol in cocktails has unintended adverse effects on your level of workout performance. With mocktails, you can enjoy a satisfying drink and wake up the next day ready to dominate your workout.
You can still be sociable
Mocktails allow everyone to feel included in the experience, even if they aren’t drinking alcohol at an event where most attendees are. In addition, because there is no longer any social pressure on those who don’t drink alcohol, everyone can feel at ease.
Nutritive worth
Depending on how they are made, mocktails may be delectable and healthy in and of themselves. Mocktails contain antioxidants and other essential vitamins and minerals when fresh fruit juices and teas are used as ingredients.
Avoid Making Bad Decisions
Alcohol can change someone’s personality by lowering inhibitions and social anxiety. Alcohol can therefore impair judgment, increase aggression, and raise the likelihood that we’ll make a mistake later. Conversely, you gain from the positive social aspects of mocktails while avoiding making bad choices.
Dependable Driver
More people are turning to ride-sharing apps to avoid driving after drinking. They might not always be accessible when needed, though. Having a sober designated driver when you’re out with friends is crucial, and someone has to drive. The person you’ve assigned as the driver can still partake in some delectable libations while remaining entirely sober to operate a motor vehicle the following morning.
Must Try Mocktail Recipes
Alcohol-free mulled wine
Make a mocktail version of mulled wine by substituting fruity pomegranate and apple juice for the wine component. Warming cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and peppercorns will fill the house with a beautiful holiday aroma.
Shirley Temple
Grenadine syrup combined with a non-alcoholic base, such as ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or another beverage, is frequently topped with a maraschino cherry. It is named for the well-known young actress.
Non-alcoholic Irish cream liqueur
A non-alcoholic Irish cream liqueur, combined with espresso and holiday spices, recreates the classic cocktail’s luxuriously creamy consistency and is equally delicious as a drink or used in baked goods.
Ginger Beer
You’re looking for something exciting. First, fresh ginger and sugar are combined to make this zingy ginger beer syrup. Then, lemon juice and soda water are added. Perfect for a garden party or family picnic.
Diabolo grenadine
Create your ruby red grenadine by combining sugar and pomegranate juice in a syrup, then delicately stirring in orange blossom water. The syrup can then be mixed with lemonade to create a variety of mocktails, such as diabolo grenadine, which is ideal for a summer beverage or a Valentine’s Day mocktail.
Arnold Palmer
A blend of lemonade and iced tea. The precise proportion and type of tea—sugared or unsweetened—can vary depending on regional preferences. Champion golfer Arnold Palmer was known to make this drink at home and order it at country clubs after a round, unlike the other two drinks, which bear the name of a well-known celebrity.
Mojito with Lemon and Lavender
The subtle flavour of the lemon-lavender mocktail is derived from lavender-infused simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a small amount of grenadine. Lavender is in, from lattes to essential oils.
Rhubarb and apple cooler
With a sharp mix of apple cider vinegar, stem ginger syrup, and fizzy rhubarb soda, apple juice is elevated to a new level. This apple and rhubarb cooler is reminiscent of a light and fruity cider garnished with rosemary.
Tips on Creating a Mocktail
It’s simple to combine ingredients, but the results taste like fruit juice when there is no alcohol present. So here are some tips for enhancing the flavour of your free-form mocktails instead:
Use mixers that bubble
The carbonated bubbles in soda water, tonic water, and even ginger ale or ginger beer are excellent for giving your mocktails a lift. Add bubbles if you’re unsure.
“Mock” alcohol might be an option to add complexity
A teaspoon of caper juice or pickle juice can make a mocktail taste like alcohol. Although it seems strange, it works. With a hint of pickle juice, the Virgin Margarita recipe below has an oddly tequila-like finish.
Attempt upscale simple syrups.
Mocktail recipes taste more exciting and not one-note when the flavours are layered.
Consider a homemade syrup with flavours like mint, ginger, rosemary, or lavender.
Take a look at non-alcoholic bitters.
Cocktails become more complex and herbal with a dash or two of bitters. You can also experiment with some non-alcoholic brands when making mocktails! For example, check out this almost mocktail made with bitters and soda!
Add lots of clear ice and posh garnishes.
Cocktail recipes are entertaining not only because they taste great but also because they are gorgeous to look at. Consider artisan-style crystal clear ice that gives your drink a posh bar appearance—stock up on cocktail cherries, citrus wedges, or fresh herbs.
Final Thoughts
I hope this list of my favourite mocktails was helpful to you and worthwhile addition to your home bartending skills. These alcohol-free spirits can also be used to create sophisticated mocktails or to enjoy a glass of alcohol-free wine.
Mocktails are great for welcoming sober guests to your gatherings and showing designated drivers how much you appreciate them for safely getting your loved ones home, even though they may not be your preferred nightcap.
Check out top recommendations for online cocktail classes if you’re new to mixing drinks and want to compete with the pros or learn more about whiskey with your favourite flavoured varieties.