30 Best Mocktail Recipes
Zero proof and (basically) zero-effort.
When it comes to getting a party started (and keeping it going), it's easy to immediately think of the cocktails to serve, but why not mix up a fun signature mocktail instead? Think about it: They keep everyone refreshed, and will be hugely appreciated by those not wanting to drink, whether they’re abstaining forever or just right now. Plus, they taste amazing (looking at you, virgin cranberry basil sangria). Check out these zero-proof (and basically zero-effort!) mocktail recipes for inspiration, we bet you won’t even miss the alcohol.
We’ve got everything from virgin versions of some of our cocktail faves, like a margarita (slushie!), piña colada, and mojito, plus some simpler options and extra-exciting coffee drinks. When you’re at brunch and everyone is getting bottomless mimosas, those abstaining from champagne deserve a fun drink too. Try whipping up a copycat Starbuck’s drink (we’ve got 3!), a frothy dalgona coffee, or Thai iced tea for a caffeine boost with that little something special.
Speaking of special drinks, nothing says it best like a freezie or a float. We’ve included a few recipes here, but get creative and turn any of your favorite drinks into a frozen delight. Drop some ice cream, sherbet, or sorbet into a drink or blend one up with something extra creamy like sweetened condensed milk, and it’ll SCREAM celebration.
Sometimes when it comes to non-alcoholic drinks, the simpler the better. Like a rum and coke or a vodka tonic, teetotalers (and those making their drinks) want something easy too! When we’re aiming for no-stress and delicious, we lean towards lemonades and iced teas that are refreshing and fun. You could go basic, but we like to add extra flavors, like strawberry or watermelon. The added touch doesn’t take much extra effort, but still feels that much more special.
For more inspiration, check out our guide to our favorite non-alcoholic spirits and wines.
Virgin Cranberry Basil Sangria
Sangria without the wine? Yes, please. The fruit is the real star here — use whatever’s in season and get creative with the combination (think cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary for the holidays and mixed berries and mint for summer).
Wassail
Wassail is a warm, spiced punch that’s traditionally served when celebrating the ancient English Yuletide tradition of the same name. The combination of warm spices, like cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom, infuse a heady, pleasing essence into each steaming mug.
Get the Wassail recipe.
Horchata
Horchata is a popular and refreshing drink that takes on different forms across many cultures, but it always starts with a soaked nut, seed, or grain. This classic Mexican version, horchata de arroz, is made by soaking rice and almonds with cinnamon and blending everything together with milk and sweetener.
Get the Horchata recipe.
Blackberry Virgin Mojito
This non-alcoholic mojito is still every bit as refreshing with an easy mint simple syrup and fresh blackberries. It makes extra syrup, so you can use it in cold brew or lemonade too!
Get the Blackberry Virgin Mojito recipe.
Vegan Eggnog
You either love eggnog or loathe it—there is no in between. This version of the classic holiday cocktail has a similar flavor and texture of the original but is dairy-free and vegan-friendly! The richness, thickness, and luscious creamy texture that usually comes from eggs and heavy cream is achieved with both cashews and full-fat coconut milk in this recipe. This eggnog is also naturally sweetened with Medjool dates and maple syrup, bringing an original taste to each frosty glass.
Get the Vegan Eggnog recipe.
Triple Berry Sparklers
The secret to this super patriotic refresher? The berry ice cubes. For this drink, we froze blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries in coconut water, but use this technique to improve everything from lemonade to cold brew (chocolate milk ice cubes maybe?)
Get the Triple Berry Sparklers recipe.
Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
Starbucks Frappuccinos® have been around since the mid-'90s, though it wasn’t until 1999 that the Caramel Frappuccino hit the scene. Prior to then, the drinks were just blended coffee and milk, so the addition of caramel and whipped cream was a HUGE deal, and it shows in this recipe!
Get the Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino recipe.
Apple Cider Slushies
Apple cider slushies are the perfect thing to keep in your freezer for an icy-cold anytime treat. We borrow the technique of scraping it with a fork to create the slushie consistency from granitas. The trick is to make sure you don't let the mixture freeze completely before scraping it!
Get the Apple Cider Slushies recipe.
Shirley Temple
Transport back to your childhood with this refreshing classic made of maraschino cherries and lemon-lime soda.
Get the Shirley Temple recipe.
Starbucks Copycat S'mores Frappuccino
This loaded frapp is part caffeinated beverage, part extravagant dessert. Our one main departure from the original is the addition of graham crackers to the drink—we love the flavor and texture they provide. (Plus, it really drives the s'mores flavor home.)
Virgin Piña Colada
Sit back and sip those cares away with a non-alcoholic piña colada that's basically a tropical milkshake. The classic version might be a bit more smoothie or icee-like in texture, but we are obsessed with this slightly richer and creamier take. It definitely makes you wonder why piña coladas never had ice cream in the first place!
Get the Virgin Piña Colada recipe.
Dalgona Coffee
Dalgona coffee started as a Tik Tok trend, and quickly became a staple in our kitchen. If you've got instant coffee, sugar, and water on hand you can make this fluffy, perfectly sweetened caffeine treat.
Get the Dalgona Coffee recipe.
Juneteenth Punch
In this punch, Chef Millie Peartree skips ice in favor of strawberry sorbet. Not only does it keep drinks cold, but it adds a delicious creaminess as well. For best results, we recommend starting with cold ingredients and serving the drinks in chilled glasses.
Get the Juneteenth Punch recipe.
Whipped Lemonade
Blending your favorite lemonade with some sweetened condensed milk turns it into a creamy frozen drink that's super addicting: sweet and tart and as refreshing as can be. We'll be skipping milkshakes for these this summer!
Get the Whipped Lemonade recipe.
Thai Iced Tea
We love this drink made of black tea, spices, and sweetened condensed milk a great alternative to our morning cold brew, or as a way to cool off our mouths after eating spicy Thai noodles. Sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk are the most common milks to add to the tea, but coconut milk would also be a great dairy free option!
Get the Thai Iced Tea recipe.
Watermelon Lemonade
Treat this like you would an Arnold Palmer, combining half watermelon juice and half lemonade. Pro move: Freeze watermelon chunks to use instead of ice cubes. As they thaw, your drink doesn't get watered down—and you have a snack for later.
Get the Watermelon Lemonade recipe.
Perfect Arnold Palmer
Half iced tea, half lemonade—100% refreshing.
Get the Perfect Arnold Palmer recipe.
Virgin Raspberry Mango Margarita Slushies
When it's a real scorcher, refresh with these gorgeous frozen virgin margaritas, made zesty with lots of lime. We love layering raspberry and mango for the sweet-tart tropical flavor, but strawberry and pineapple is a solid combo too.
Pineapple-Mint Mojito Mocktail
You can drink this mojito-inspired drink anytime. Bonus: it's sugar-free too!
Mango Lemonade
About 1-2 tablespoons mango puree per glass adds a sweet, tropical taste. While you're at it, you could add just about any pureed fruit, like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries... the options are endless.
Get the Mango Lemonade recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine. If wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
