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When you think of bar drinks menu types, alcoholic drinks come to mind-along with a liquor bottle display. What about all the other basic bar drinks though? We’re not just talking about sodas and lemonade. No, we’re talking about mocktails!
Mocktails are the close cousin of all your favorite popular cocktails. Essentially, mocktails are non-alcoholic versions of cocktail drinks. There’s no rule that says you have to have an alcoholic drink when you go out, and serving up some mocktails is one of the best ways bars can reach their entire audience and maximize their potential for the question of how much do bars make-even during happy hour. Mocktails even have their place on National Cocktail Day. If you’re looking to expand your list of mocktail offerings at your bar, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best mocktails.
Best Mocktails
You can make a mocktail version of any cocktail you like. Heck, you can even mix up unique mocktails that aren’t associated with any alcoholic drink option. You can draw from a cocktail ingredients list, or combine any flavors that sound like a good mix.
If you’re looking for some surefire mocktails, these 10 best mocktails are sure to please anyone who comes into your bar for a non-alcoholic beverage. You can create your own variations of these, but if you’re feeling classic, you can never go wrong with these choices for the best mocktails.
10. Rosemary Blueberry Smash
Something with the word smash in the name sounds like fun, and this rosemary blueberry smash is no exception. This refreshing mocktail combines:
- Blueberries
- A rosemary sprig
- Honey syrup
- Lemon juice
- Sparkling mineral water
- Ice
It’s light and perfect for any summer night. You could mix it up with some lemon tea and make this a warm mocktail addition to winter cocktail recipes.
9. Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade
Strawberry and ginger are a perfect combination, even without lemonade involved. This concoction includes:
- Strawberries
- Lemon juice
- Ginger
- Cane sugar
You can mix them up to your own taste specifications, and enjoy a refreshing mocktail that suits every occasion. You can also mix it up with garnishes, with a slice of strawberry or a lemon wedge. With this mix, it will always feel like summertime.
8. Sparkling Beet Lemonade
We know what you’re thinking: “Beets? Really?!” Yes, beets–really! This sparkling treat brings out the best of the beet flavor. It’s a mix of:
- Club soda
- Lemon juice
- Beet juice
- Simple syrup
- Ginger juice
If you like beets, you’ll love it. If you’re not sure about beets, this is a great option to try it with.
7. Salted Watermelon Juice
You might be wondering about the salt in this sweet watermelon juice drink. It’s similar to a margarita in a way, with salt combining with and drawing out the flavors. This drink combines:
- Cubed watermelon
- Kosher salt
- Lime wedges for a garnish
All you need to do is blend up the watermelon and salt together. With that, you get a refreshing, exceptionally flavorful drink for any hot day.
6. Berry Burlesque
If you’re looking for a berry nice recipe, this berry burlesque is the mocktail for you. It brings together:
- Lime juice
- Honey syrup
- Black currant purée
- Mint leaves
- Ginger beer
It’s a tangy, sweet, unexpected mix for any occasion. Currant is a strong flavor, but when it’s paired with this mix it becomes the perfect afternoon mocktail of all the best mocktails you can try.
5. Shirley Tonic
The grown-up cousin of the Shirley Temple, the Shirley Tonic is perfect for any booze-free bar time. This sweet and tangy drink combines:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Ginger
- Cloves
- Pomegranate juice
- Sugar
- Club soda - not to be confused with tonic water
- A lemon twist for a garnish
Overall, this is a dressed-up Shirley Temple. It’s a unique flavor profile that will pique your taste buds and keep you coming back for more mocktail fun.
4. Tea-Totaler’s Toddy
While a hot toddy is always a great cocktail, this tea-totaler’s toddy special is even better since everyone can enjoy it! To make it, you mix up:
- Green tea
- Honey
- Mint
- Lemon
You can do a mint or lemon garnish, and make this warm winter-night mocktail to your own specifications. Overall, you just can’t go wrong with a warm cup of unique tea.
3. Citrus Fizz
This fizzy delight is perfect for anyone who wants something similar to champagne or sparkling wines without alcohol. This mocktail is a mix of:
- Seedlip Grove 42
- Marmalade cordial
- Sparkling water to top it off
It makes for an incredibly sweet fizzy mix that will pair with any party or a night at home with popcorn and PJs.
2. Virgin Watermelon Margarita
There are many virgin-style mocktail mixes of popular cocktails. This watermelon margarita recipe is one of the best. It shares several factors in common with the salted watermelon juice earlier on this list. However, it’s unique in many ways and deserves high praise. It brings together:
- Watermelon
- Lime juice
- Agave
- Sparkling water
All together, it makes for an exceptional margarita that suits any occasion. It can even be paired with the best Mexican appetizers.
1. Lavender Lemonade
Coming in at number one, this light, delightful lavender lemonade is a treat for anyone, anytime. It’s a mix of:
- Water
- Honey
- Dried lavender
- Lemon juice
The lemon and lavender flavor combination was made in heaven. You can have this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It even works when you’re answering the question of, “What is brunch?” Sure, you can do that with any mocktail, but it’s especially good with this one.
How to Order Non-Alcoholic Drinks
For all the bar patrons out there, it may seem uncomfortable to go to a bar and ask for a drink sans alcohol. If you’re not sure what to say, know that you’re not alone in looking for a tasty drink without liquor or other alcohol options. You don't need an interest in how to make a cocktail with rum to enjoy time at a bar.
The process of how to order non-alcoholic drinks can be as easy as asking your bartender for mocktail options. Any bartender worth their margarita salt will have some drinks to share.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mocktails
Mocktails attract a lot of attention in the bar and cocktail world. They’re an interesting bridge between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There are plenty of questions out there about mocktails. For these frequently asked questions, we’re tackling several of them to give you an overview of how mocktails fit the bar scene.
Can You Get Drunk on Mocktails?
No, you cannot get drunk on mocktails. We dove into the reasoning behind this question. In our research, we found it’s related to people wondering how much fun you can have while drinking mocktails. Mocktails are a great way to enjoy drinks with friends and have a good time without having to learn hangover cures the next day.
Is a Mocktail Just Juice?
A mocktail can be a mix of just juices, but it can also be so many other things. Similar to mixing up cocktails, a mocktail can be a mix of anything you can think up. From juices to garnishes to Angostura bitters to soda, mocktail ingredients are limitless.
Why Are They Called Mocktails?
Mocktails are a mockery of cocktails. No, not in a rude or bad way. Mocktails fit the adjective definition of the word mock. That definition is, “not authentic or real, but without the intention to deceive.” Mocktails are an openly inauthentic version of cocktails.
Why Do People Choose to Drink Mocktails?
People choose mocktails for various reasons, including abstaining from alcohol, health reasons, pregnancy, being designated drivers, or simply enjoying flavorful and refreshing beverages without the effects of alcohol. In the last few years, mocktails are on the rise because a lot more people are becoming health conscious and try to avoid alcoholic drinks.
Are Mocktails Always Alcohol-Free?
Mocktails are alcohol-free by definition. They provide a non-alcoholic alternative to classic cocktails, allowing individuals to enjoy nice drinks without the presence of alcohol.
What Are Common Ingredients in Mocktails?
Common ingredients in mocktails include fruit juices, soda or sparkling water, syrups, fresh herbs, muddled fruits, and various non-alcoholic flavored mixes. These ingredients are combined to create refreshing and flavorful drinks. The combinations are endless and new mocktails are being invented all the time!
Mocktails: Making a Mockery Has Never Been More Fun!
Mocktails have a special place in the world of bars and drinking. For anyone who isn’t interested in or can’t drink alcohol–kids, pregnant people, or a teetotaler–mocktails are the perfect way to enjoy a drink. They’re also a way for bartenders to expand their drink-mixing skills. They more than deserve their own place in bar books.
From a financial perspective, mocktails are also a great way for bars to make money with less of a cost per drink. The lack of alcohol makes the overall ingredients list much more bar-budget-friendly. Overall, a well-made mocktail is sure to please.