If you're thinking about throwing a party (and how to keep it going), it's easy to focus on what co*cktails and boozy drinks to serve, it's easy to immediately think of the co*cktails to serve, but hear us out—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 piña colada). 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 co*cktail faves, like a margarita (slushie!), spritzer, 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 4!), 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 co*ke 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.
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1
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.
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2
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.
Get the Virgin Piña Colada recipe.
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3
Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer
This blood orange and ginger spritzer hits all the right notes: a little sweet, a little sour, and a little spiced. Finished off with a bouquet of fresh garnishes, it’s the perfect winter co*cktail mocktail to toast with all season long.
Get the Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer recipe.
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4
Whipped Lemonade
Blending your favorite lemonade with some sweetened condensed milk turns it into a creamy frozen drink that's extra special: it's sweet and tart and as refreshing as can be. We'll be skipping milkshakes for these this summer!
Get the Whipped Lemonade recipe.
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5
Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz
This easy-to-make, booze-free co*cktail hits all the marks. It’s tart, herby, slightly sweet, a little smokey, and definitely an adult mocktail that isn’t too heavy on the fruit juice or sweetener. Serve with some bite-size apps, and get ready to really get the party started.
Get the Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz recipe.
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6
Virgin Raspberry Mango Margarita Slushies
When it's a real scorcher, refresh with these gorgeous virgin frozen 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.
Get the Virgin Raspberry Mango Margarita Slushies recipe.
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7
Italian Soda
First introduced in San Francisco in 1925, the original recipe for Italian soda required only flavored syrup and soda water. Soon adding cream became popular, thus creating the version we know and love today. For this recipe, try out your favorite flavors or mix and match!
Get the Italian Soda recipe.
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8
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Part watermelon juice, part limeade, and 100% refreshing, this just might be the drink of the summer. It's slightly sweet, making it a perfect daytime treat or as a mocktail option at a BBQ.
Get the Watermelon Agua Fresca recipe.
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9
Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail
Everyone is espresso martini-crazed these days, but you don’t need to drink alcohol to enjoy this decadent trend. Our espresso mocktail packs a punch with an espresso base, creamy top, and tons of Oreo crunch, with none of the alcohol.
Get the Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail recipe.
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10
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.
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11
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).
Get the Virgin Cranberry Basil Sangria recipe.
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12
Tepache
You can follow this step-by-step to cut your pineapple to yield juicy pieces of fruit, but what happens to all that trimmed waste? Repurpose that inedible pineapple skin and the fibrous core by adding sugar and water to make tepache!
Get the Tepache recipe.
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13
Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
In 2016 Starbucks customers swapped water for coconut milk in the Starbucks Strawberry Acaí Refresher, and the rest is history—the chain made it an official menu item less than a year after. Now you can make it at home!
Get the Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink recipe.
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14
Perfect Arnold Palmer
Half iced tea, half lemonade—100% refreshing.
Get the Perfect Arnold Palmer recipe.
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15
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.
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16
Shirley Temple
Transport back to your childhood with this refreshing classic made of grenadine and lemon-lime soda. Not a Sprite fan? Swap it for a co*ke (or one their wild new flavors) and make it a Roy Rogers instead.
Get the Shirley Temple recipe.
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17
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 or evaporated milk are the most common, but coconut milk would work too if you're dairy-free.
Get the Thai Iced Tea recipe.
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18
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.
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19
Starbucks Copycat S'mores Frappuccino
This loaded frapp is part caffeinated beverage, part extravagant dessert. Our one main departure from the Starbucks 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.)
Get the Starbucks Copycat S'mores Frappuccino recipe.
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20
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.