Easy mocktails to make during National Mocktail Week and beyond
It’s been a while since I last published a post dedicated to National Mocktail Week, so I thought it was about time to do so again. Especially since the non-alcoholic drinks scene has hugely evolved recently, with more and more alternative options on the market allowing you to create delicious cocktails without the use of alcohol. Or still without the use of spirit-like non-alcoholic substitutes as. All you need is a creative mix of fresh juice, tonic water, syrup, and other ingredients adding a unique flavour like spices.
This year, National Mocktail Week is running from today (14th) to 20th January. It’s the perfect opportunity to try some new delicious non-alcoholic cocktails.
Experimenting with new mocktail ideas will also come in handy at many other occasions throughout the year. Especially since the trend is going to more conscious drinking habits, and hot summer days are anyway best spent with a refreshing non-alcoholic drink in hand.
If you want the fun but not the booze, try these delicious mocktails at home.
5 easy mocktail recipes to mix up on any occasion
Whether it’s for National Mocktail Week, a hot summer day, a dinner invitation, or celebrating something, mixing up these mocktails are fun and you do not have to deal with any risk of a hangover.
Mango Sprite Mocktail
Mixed together in no time at all, the Mango Sprite Mocktail is absolutely delicious and refreshing.
60 ml mango juice
120 ml Sprite
2 mint leaves
2 tablespoons lime juice
In a cocktail glass, muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice. Fill the glass with ice, add the mango juice than top with Sprite. Mix well.
Garnish with more mint leaves and a slice of mango.
Apple Margarita Mocktail
With the nearly unlimited versions, there is a Margarita for any occasion. Including those moments, you cherish a delicious cocktail but do not want the booze. Try this delicious and refreshing Apple Margarita Mocktail if you need to be convinced.
90 ml apple juice
45 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
15 ml agave sirup
100 ml tonic water
3-4 thin apple slices
small lime wedge
chili flakes, sugar
On a small plate, mix chili flakes and sugar. Coat the rim of a lowball glass with the lime wedge then tap the rim into the chili-sugar mix.
Coat the apple slices with some more chili flakes.
Fill a shaker with ice, add apple juice, lime juice and agave sirup and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds. Strain into the prepared lowball glass over more ice. Top with tonic water.
Garnish with the apple slices.
Pina Colada Mocktail (Virgin Pina Colada)
One of the retro cocktails we are likely going to see more of this year, the pina colada is a fantastic drink for hot summer days and anytime you want to be mentally transported to a white, sandy beach. This non-alcoholic version will not disappoint either.
250 ml pineapple juice
50 ml coconut milk
½ banana
pineapple slice
Puree the banana with the coconut milk. Add pineapple juice and stir well. Pour into a highball glass.
Garnish with the pineapple slice.
Strawberry Sgroppino Mocktail
This delicious alcohol-free adaption of the classic Italian sgroppino is perfect for warm summer days but when you use a red sorbet like strawberry, it also gets a wonderful festive flair. Consider mixing it up for Valentine’s Day as a non-alcoholic drink – or go ahead and make the real deal, adding vodka and Prosecco (or other sparkling wines) for the occasion.
The sgroppino is a delicious after-dinner cocktail or enjoyed as dessert, whether it’s made with or without alcohol. The original recipe calls for lemon sherbet, but the drink works with all flavours.
3 scopes of strawberry sorbet
20 ml non-alcoholic vodka or gin
30 ml tonic water
Puree the sorbet until smooth. Mix in the non-alcoholic spirit and tonic water. Pour into a chilled champagne flute.
Pink Grapefruit Sundowner
If you love gin cocktails take advantage of the growing range of excellent non-alcoholic spirits, and in particular the large range of those echoing the flavour of gin.
This Pink Grapefruit Mocktail is mixed using the latest addition of non-alcoholic gin from one of my favourite brands, Windspiel Manufactur. However, you can use any other non-alcoholic gin.
Recipe from Windspiel website
60 ml pink grapefruit
60 ml grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
15 ml hibiscus syrup
grapefruit wheel and mint for garnishing
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with the grapefruit wheel and mint.
Do you have a favourite mocktail, or a cocktail you are keen try mixing without alcohol? If you do, let me know in the comments how you liked it.
Carrots and Tigers 