7 Creative Mocktail Recipes You’ll Want to Keep Drinking

If you’re the designated driver, in recovery, or you don’t want to drink for health reasons, you can still enjoy a delicious cocktail without the hustle and bustle. Mocktail recipes prove that mocktails can be just as delicious as stronger cocktails.

This is just one of the reasons why non-alcoholic beverages are becoming more and more popular. Restaurants and bars are getting creative – from fruity sparkling wines to frozen slushies, there’s a mocktail for everyone.

Why not try making these non-alcoholic drink recipes yourself? Learn how to make some easy mocktail recipes in the kitchen.

Why choose mocktails?

Mocktails are often made with fruits, herbs, and other wholesome functional foods, making them a great alternative to traditional cocktails. A small amount of natural or low-calorie sweetener is a good choice when looking to control sugar levels, as many traditional cocktails are often high in added sugar.

But mocktails can also help reduce alcohol consumption. According to the World Health Organization, any amount of alcohol is unsafe for your health. High-calorie alcoholic beverages can hinder your weight loss goals by producing excess, unnecessary calories.

Ingredients for mocktails

Think of the glass as your canvas and mocktail ingredients as your art supplies. Let your creativity flow:

• Some fresh fruit, such as berries, lemons, oranges, pineapples or melons
• A pinch of herbs like mint, basil or rosemary
• Sparkling water such as sparkling water, ginger ale, tonic water or soda water to create a bubbly feeling
• A small amount of syrup, such as grenadine, simple syrup, or elderflower cordial, for sweetness

Combine these elements to create your own delicious masterpiece. Or try one of our favorite classic, creative, or fall recipes.

Our favorite classic mocktails , creative mocktails , and fall-inspired mocktails

This icy tropical treat is a classic mocktail filled with pineapple and coconut flavors.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 2 cups ice
• 1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
• 6 oz. light coconut milk, stir until smooth
• 4 oz. pineapple juice
• 2 oz. lime juice
• Black cherry and pineapple slices, for serving

route

Place ice cubes, pineapple cubes, light coconut milk, pineapple juice, and lime juice in a blender. Blend for 20 to 30 seconds until smooth. Pour the pina colada into a chilled glass and garnish with cherry and pineapple.

Estimated nutritional information

Calories: 164; Total fat: 7 grams; Total carbohydrates: 28 grams; Dietary fiber: 2 grams; Sugar: 20 grams; Protein: 2 grams

Treat yourself to a bubbly, refreshing drink that’s ready in just 2 minutes.

Ingredients (for 1 person)

• 1/2 oz. pomegranate syrup
• 1 can frozen diet ginger ale
• black cherries, for garnish

route

Fill a tall, narrow glass or highball glass with ice. Pour the grenadine over the top. Add ginger ale. Garnish with cherries.

Estimated nutritional information

Calories: 42; Total fat: 0g; Total carbohydrates: 9g; Dietary fiber: 0g; Sugar: 9g; Protein: 0g

Experience the vibrant flavors of this refreshing and creative cocktail. Bonus: It’s a low-calorie, alcohol-free hibiscus cooler.

Ingredients (serves 8 people)

• 3/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 2 organic orange peels
• 1 star anise
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• crushed ice
• 2 cups plain or orange soda
• Orange slices, for garnish

route

Boil 6 cups of water, add dried hibiscus flowers and sweetener, remove from heat and let soak for 5 minutes. Place the orange peel, star anise and cinnamon stick in a bottle or jar. Strain the hibiscus mixture and pour over the spices in the bottle. Let cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

You can enjoy it immediately, but the flavor will become more intense over time. Remove spices before serving. To serve, fill a tall glass with crushed ice, pour 1 cup of the hibiscus mixture over the ice, top with about 1/4 cup soda, and garnish with an orange slice.

Estimated nutritional information

Calories: 17; Total fat: 0g; Total carbohydrates: 4g; Dietary fiber: 1g; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 0g

Get in the mood with this Ginger Citrus Mocktail filled with citrus and spice flavors.

Ingredients (serves 8 people)

• 1 cup sugar
• 4-inch piece of ginger, peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 1/3 cups fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons), plus wedges for garnish
• 34 oz. or 1 liter of ice-cold soda

route

Heat sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add ginger, remove from heat and let soak for 30 minutes.

Strain into a pitcher, remove the ginger and stir in the lemon juice. Let cool for at least 4 hours. Add the soda water, stir, pour into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a lemon slice.

Estimated nutritional information

Calories: 111; Total fat: 0g; Total carbohydrates: 28g; Dietary fiber: 0g; Sugar: 26g; Protein: 0g

Indulge in a sparkling blend of sweet cherry syrup and rich chocolate for a delightfully unique treat.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 cup frozen sweet cherries, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener
• 1 tsp. chocolate extract
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• ice cubes
• 1 cup soda

route

Add 1/2 cup water to the saucepan, add the cherries and sugar and mix. Simmer until cherries are soft. Crush the cherries to release the juice, then strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer.

In a small liquid measuring cup, stir together 1/4 cup cherry syrup with chocolate and vanilla extract. Pour into a glass filled with ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a cherry.

Estimated nutritional information

Calories: 80; Total fat: 0g; Total carbohydrates: 19g; Dietary fiber: 1g; Sugar: 18g; Protein: 0g

This might be one of the best mocktail recipes for fall. Apple shrubs call for seasonal ingredients and warm spices. It’s a rich and sweet non-alcoholic Sprite with a blend of apples, spices and orange zest.

Ingredients (for 18 people)

• 2 big apples
• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp. fresh ginger, chopped
• 1 orange
• 2/3 cup honey
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 cloves

route

Thinly slice the apples, discarding the core, and place in a large bowl. Add vinegar, ginger and orange zest. Use a blender or masher to lightly mash the mixture.

Bring 1 cup water, honey, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a boil in a saucepan. Pour over apple mixture. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.

Strain the solids and pour the liquid into a large bottle or jar. Store in the refrigerator indefinitely.

To make non-alcoholic Sprite, fill a glass with ice and carbonated water, add 2 tablespoons apple shrub, and stir.

Estimated nutritional information

Calories: 76; Total fat: 1g; Total carbohydrates: 19g; Dietary fiber: 4g; Sugar: 11g; Protein: 1g

This tangy grapefruit rosemary sip is the perfect mocktail for fall.

Ingredients (4 parts syrup; 1 part drink)

For the syrup:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 rosemary sprigs

1 mocktail:

• 1/4 rosemary/honey syrup
• 3 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 oz. lime juice
• soda, to top

route

Place the honey and rosemary sprigs in a small saucepan, add 1/2 cup water, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove rosemary. (This syrup makes 4 drinks.)

Fill a glass with ice and add grapefruit juice, lime juice and 1 or 2 tablespoons rosemary syrup. Stir well and add soda water. Garnish with grapefruit wedges and rosemary sprigs.

Estimated nutritional information

Calories: 105; Total Fat: 0; Total Carbs: 28; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugar: 26g; Protein: 1g

FAQ

How to make mocktails look visually appealing?

To make your mocktails visually appealing, consider these tips:

1. Add colorful garnishes such as fruit slices, herbs or edible flowers.
2. Use stylish or unique glassware to enhance your presentation.
3. Layer your drinks with different colors and textures.
4. Use clear ice cubes or spheres, or freeze the fruit in ice for an elegant touch.
5. Decorate the rim of the glass with sugar, salt or colored icing sugar for a fun touch.

What are the most popular mocktails?

Shirley Temple is one of the most popular mocktails. Its sweet and rich flavor has always been loved by people.

What is the basic recipe for a mocktail?

The basic mocktail recipe for a well-balanced cocktail is a 4:1:1 ratio:

• 4 parts base liquid (juice, soda, or water)
• 1 part sour stock (citrus juice)
• 1 sweetening ingredient (sweetener or syrup)

You can add fresh fruit, herbs or spices to enhance the flavor and garnish for added visual appeal.

Which mocktail tastes best?

The best mocktail recipe often depends on your taste and preference. But popular choices include the citrus-flavored Original Mojito or the creamy Piña Colada mocktail. But if you like fruity or spicy flavors, you might want to try a mocktail like a cucumber-lime-mint cooler, a melon or berry spritz, or a mouth-watering ginger lemonade.

How to make healthy mocktails?

Start with a basic drink like soda, herbal tea, or coconut water—all of which are low-calorie options that provide hydration and flavor. Add freshly squeezed citrus juice, such as lemon, lime or orange, for a boost of vitamin C.

What are the mixing techniques for mocktails?

For well-mixed mocktails, use a shaker filled with ice. It helps blend flavors and cool your drink. Alternatively, use a blender to lightly crush fruits, herbs or spices. This will release their flavors and add depth and complexity to your mocktails.

To make your mocktails more exciting, try building layers with your ingredients and flavors. Experiment with colorful ingredients and get creative with the garnishes. This will give your drink visual appeal and flavor, allowing every element to shine in every sip.

The post 7 Creative Mocktail Recipes You’ll Always Want to Drink appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.

Source link