The rise in popularity of the non-alcoholic beverage means that more and more bars and restaurants are offering mocktails on their menus. If you’re like us, you’ve had some good ones and some bad ones. 

 

In our opinion, the key is making your mocktail taste like a beverage for adults. Not necessarily in a ‘tastes like alcohol way’ but in a way that feels elevated from just fruit juice or soda in a glass. Bring on the complex flavors and combinations! Some fun garnish doesn’t hurt either.

 

If you’re looking for some mocktail inspiration for Dry January or any other time of year, here are some recipes you should try! 

 

Note: none of these recipes require you to have non-alcoholic spirits on hand, however, they are probably the easiest way to make your favorite drink non-alcoholic.

 

 

 

Orange Mule Mocktail 

 

Don’t let your copper mugs sit on the shelf all of Dry January, make a (non-alcoholic) mule! This version substitutes the classic lime for oranges, for an easy riff on traditional Moscow mule flavors. 

 

  • Cut two slices of a large orange for garnish, and set them aside.
  • Quarter the rest of the orange, and juice it. Pour the juice into your mug.
  • Fill the mug with ice, and then with ginger beer. 
  • Add mint leaves and your orange slices for garnish and enjoy!

 

 

Ginger Lime Fizz

 

Simple, tasty, non-alcoholic. The ginger lime fizz meets all our criteria for a great mocktail to make at home. Not too sweet, this is the perfect recipe to turn to the next time you’re hosting or looking for a fun drink to treat yourself.

 

  • In a tall glass of ice, add 6 ounces of ginger beer, 4 ounces of seltzer water, and an ounce of fresh lime juice.
  • Stir to combine all ingredients.
  • Slice another lime for garnish, and enjoy!

 

 

Chile Lime Pineapple Soda

 

Spicy is a great way to go for a mocktail (it’s an easy way to recreate the burn of alcohol without the resulting buzz). This recipe is a tasty example of that concept, in a tropical kind of way, that’s pretty simple to put together.

 

  • In a cocktail shaker, add three ounces of pineapple juice, two ounces of club soda, the juice of half a lime, a pinch of salt and a pinch of cayenne powder. Stir. 
  • Fill a rocks glass with ice, then pour in the shaker.
  • Top with club soda and garnish with a slice of lime (or a pepper/pepper flakes if you want to double down on spice).
  • Cheers!

 

 

Cucumber Cooler

 

Cucumber is a great flavor for a mocktail to lean on if you don’t want it to end up too sweet. Refreshing and delicious, this is a great recipe to break out at a mocktail party or a summer barbecue. 

 

  • In a cocktail shaker, add ½ cup of fresh cucumber juice, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, and a pinch of sugar.
  • Shake, and strain into a glass of ice.
  • Top off each glass with ginger ale, and cucumber or lime garnish.
  • Enjoy!

 

 

Coffee & Tonic

 

Ok, yes, it sounds weird. But if you’re the type of person who’s ordering espresso martinis every time you leave the house, you’ll need a replacement for Dry January. This one gives that coffee flavor in a unique combination of flavors that are interesting enough to act as an alcohol substitute. 

 

  • Fill a glass with ice, and then a little more than halfway with tonic water. 
  • Top it off with espresso, or a strong coffee.
  • Add lemon for garnish and a hint of sourness.
  • Stir, and sip!

 

There are so many different ways to approach a mocktail. Which recipe is your favorite? Let us know in the comments, or if we missed any classics you’ll be trying this year!