Summer is here and you know what that means… it’s patio/backyard/friend gathering season! Drinks and food are without a doubt the center of most events. However, drinking alcohol doesn’t necessarily have to be. You might surprise yourself or your friends with mocktails that are so good, no one will even question if there is alcohol in it! Whether you’re exploring a sober season, or just simply don’t like drinking, our unique list has something to offer everyone’s refreshing preferences.
1.) Kombucha Mocktail
Image & Recipe via Sweet Lizzy
Okay we’re just going to look past the minute amount of alcohol in Kombucha, but we don’t advise driving or operating heavy machinery after a few sips of this because mentally you’ll be somewhere far away (and because you need to stay inside). Instead of feeling nauseated and blob-like, you’ll have that good gut health glow. Paired with hibiscus and ginger, it will be a delight for the taste buds and nose alike!
2.) Grapefruit Thyme Mocktail
Image & Recipe via Flowers in the Salad
A little bit of bitter, a little bit of sweet and a whole lot of fragrant. We are super into this citrus concoction that is just as pretty as it is yummy! Just make sure that you have the recipe handy, because you know everyone on Zoom will want to know what you’re sipping on!
3.) Golden Glow Water
Image & Recipe via Half Baked Harvest
No we didn’t pick it just because it has “glow” in the name… that’s why we clicked on it. However we were not disappointed at all when we came upon this tonic-turned mocktail. It’s got some high-key immune boosters which we are incredibly thankful for. You may have already guessed by the name, but yes, it even has anti-inflammatory turmeric. You sugary sweet margarita can’t boast this (but oh how we still love, sugary margarita).
4.) Honey Roasted Pear Sparkling Mocktail
Image & Recipe via Cotter Crunch
Don’t ask us why, but pear automatically equates to fancy in our minds. So spend your evening pearing (yes, we went there) this drink with a coordinating PJ set, a face mask and a nice read and look at you! Someone is claiming the throne as the queen of elegant self care! Look at you go!
5.) Watermelon Cooler
Image and Recipe via Better Homes & Gardens
It may not yet be summertime, and the living might not be easy. However, who’s to say that we can’t pretend that it is? This little number has got us feeling like it’s a balmy summer day. Not only is it delightful, but it’s also only 44 calories per serving! Not even a vodka water can boast that (not to mention that vodka waters taste like the tears of small children.)
6.) Chasing Summer
Image and Recipe via Food & Wine
Okay truly this one is blowing our minds! With a base of Chai Sun Tea and accents of passionfruit and… wait for it.. balsamic vinegar this mocktail has all the twists and turns to keep you on your toes! There’s even sweetened condensed milk to really seal the deal! These mocktails are so good that we might just have to whip some up as a mid-workday treat! It’s got tea!
7.) Cucumber Lime Lavender Spritzer
Image & Recipe via Simplemost
Let’s play a word association game. We’ll share a word and then say the first word we associate with it. Ready? Here we go! Refreshing? Cucumber! Tasty? Lime? Fragrant? Lavender! Well, there you have it folks! This mocktail is the epitome of all things refreshing, tasty and fragrant! Perfect to enjoy this spring weather from your window, and even helpful for a good night’s rest! Now that’s a win-win!
8.) Sparkling Pineapple Mojito Mocktail
Image and Recipe via The Pretty Life Girls
Can a cocktail sell you based on it’s bubbles alone? If so, have we got the drink for you! This concoction is easy to make and delicious with lots of pineapple, lime and even some mint to really step it’s game! These mocktails are so good that you may just be making some of these on your next (eventual) beach trip!
9.) Rose Lemon Spritzer
Image & Recipe via Half Baked Harvest
It’s beautiful and it’s tasty so what isn’t there to love? This delicate little mocktail has rosewater, honey and lemon and we are tempted to make it based on aesthetics alone. Don’t forget the rose petals for garnish because what better time to be extra than when you have all the extra time? (And you didn’t hear it from us, but it does pair nicely with vodka too.)
10.) Chocolate Moo
Image via Lindt
Oh, you know, it’s just one of our favorite mocktails! All you’ve got to do is blend chocolate ice cream, milk/ milk alternative, ice cubes, maybe some chocolate syrup if you’re living on the wild side, and voila! Now don’t forget the whipped cream and cherry on top!
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Isn’t that a milkshake?” Why yes it is. You know what they say, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! We most certainly classify milkshakes as mocktails, and we are confident that this mocktail will completely make you forget about it not having alcohol.
Not only are these mocktails yummy, these are mocktails that are so good they’ll change the mood of your whole weekend. So make sure to enjoy your early Saturday morning! Watch the sunrise with a little savasana action, do some early morning cleaning with a quick sage to your space and make yourself a healthy breakfast. In this same amount of time hungover you will have only woken up and ordered in something greasy for breakfast.
If this article is inspiring you to go out and live your best life, check out this article on four safe cleanses to try! If this article just really made you want a drink (no judgement), then might we recommend looking into some colorful summer cocktails to try out? No matter what, happy sipping!