12 Mocktail Recipes So Good You Won’t Believe They’re Booze-Free

“Made with freshly squeezed blood orange juice, this mocktail uses one of the most beautiful citrus fruits available in winter,” says Marisa Moore, RDN, a cookbook author based in Atlanta. The drink also includes vanilla, lime sparkling water, and a little bit of honey.

And not only does this citrusy beverage taste good, it’s good for you. “Blood oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is essential for healthy cells, healing, and immune function,” says Moore. That means you’ve got a great excuse to whip up this drink if you notice a cold coming on.

Get the recipe at MarisaMoore.com.

Watermelon and cucumber are great for hydration, and they can be especially satisfying in the summer. This drink combines the two to give you a refreshing option for warm-weather festivities.

“One of my go-to mocktails as a dietitian is a refreshing watermelon juice infused with raw honey and muddled cucumber,” says Violeta Morris, RD, who founded the Concierge Dietitian and is based in Columbus, Ohio. “I love this recipe because it features hydrating, antioxidant-rich summer fruits — yes, cucumber is actually a fruit! It grows from a flower and contains seeds, just like watermelon.”

Watermelon Cucumber Muddle

Ingredients

• 1 cup watermelon chunks
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• ¼ cup English cucumber slices
• Ice

Directions

1. Blend watermelon with honey.
2. Using a muddler or similar tool, gently press down on and twist cucumber slices.
3. Pour watermelon puree over muddled cucumber.
4. Add ice, stir, and enjoy.

“Cucumber is incredibly hydrating and rich in antioxidants that support digestion and skin health,” says Morris. “Watermelon is loaded with water, vitamin C, and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation and support heart health.”

Moscow mules, traditionally made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, can be a refreshing beverage. This booze-free version delivers the same great flavors without the hangover.

“What makes this mocktail is the ginger kombucha,” says Kaleigh McMordie, RDN, who’s based in Lubbock, Texas, and is the founder of Lively Table. “Not only is kombucha full of gut-healthy probiotics but it's usually lower in sugar than most mixers, though you still get the bubbles and flavor.”

While it’s unlikely that kombucha would be of major consequence for someone cutting down on alcohol, you can feel free to substitute another bubbly beverage — like flavored sparkling water or sparkling cider — if you’re trying to avoid alcohol altogether.

Get the recipe at LivelyTable.com.

Too-sweet mocktails can give you a sugar rush, but this one uses fresh strawberries for natural sweetness, which is balanced by the tartness of lemon juice. Plus, you also get some nice nutritional perks.

"Both strawberries and lemons are great sources of vitamin C, which is a nutrient our bodies don't produce, meaning we need to get it from the food we eat,” says Tara Rochford, RDN, who founded Tara Rochford Nutrition and is located in Indianapolis. “Vitamin C helps keep our skin healthy and glowing, aids in wound healing, and helps keep our immune system strong.”

Get the recipe at TaraRochfordNutrition.com.

Pomegranate juice is the centerpiece of this mocktail, making it a great option if you’re looking to get your antioxidant fix. It also contains sparkling water, kombucha, and orange bitters, and if you want to remain totally alcohol-free, you can sub in flavored sparkling water or sparkling cider for the kombucha and omit the bitters.

“The pomegranate juice packs in potent anti-inflammatory phytochemicals called polyphenols, which protect cells against damage,” says Lindsey Pine, RDN, of USC Hospitality at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and the founder of Tasty Balance Nutrition. “Those polyphenols may have a positive effect on memory and cognition as well as postexercise muscle recovery.”

You’ll also get a dash of probiotics from the ginger kombucha, Pine says, which is useful for gut health. Even the garnish — pomegranate arils, blueberries, or both — can give you a nutrient boost.

Get the recipe at TastyBalanceNutrition.com.

With this recipe, you can still enjoy all the fun and flavor of a margarita.

“One of my favorites is a pomegranate mockarita,” says Taylor McClelland Newman, RD, owner of Nourished by Taylor in San Antonio, Texas.

This mocktail includes fresh lime juice, pomegranate juice, and club soda — giving it the fizz you love without the alcohol buzz.

“For a pro tip, rim the glass with salt and add an optional 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to take the drink to the next level,” Newman says.

Get a recipe using the same ingredients at PomWonderful.com.

Thirst quenching? Check. Packed with vitamin C? Check. Gut-friendly? Check. This mocktail checks all the boxes.

“Made with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and probiotic-rich kombucha, this mocktail is low in calories and sugar, good for your gut, and filled with immune-boosting ingredients,” says Sarah Gold Anzlovar, RDN, who’s in private practice in Medfield, Massachusetts. “It's light and refreshing, and feels like a special drink — you won't even miss the booze!”

While it makes an excellent summer treat, you can also enjoy it during cold and flu season to help keep your immune system going strong and make your winter days a bit less dark and dreary. If you want to avoid even the smallest bit of alcohol, just replace the kombucha with sparkling water.

Get the recipe at SarahGoldRD.com.

You don’t need a beach to enjoy this piña colada alternative.

“As a dietitian, I love a mocktail as a hydrating summer beverage, but they are often packed with added sugar, negating some of the benefits of the healthy swap,” says Kaytee Hadley, RDN, founder of Holistic Health and Wellness in Richmond, Virginia.

This recipe uses a coconut and pineapple piña colada drink from Califia Farms as its base. Whichever brand of drink base you choose, Hadley says to make sure it’s lower in sugar, ideally with 10 grams (g) or less per cup. This will help you make a more balanced mocktail and limit added sugars in your diet.

Once the ingredients are blended, you can “enjoy on a shaded patio with a friend,” she says.

Get the recipe by watching Califia Farms’ TikTok video.

If you want a drink that’s light and bright, check out this blueberry and lavender combo, which can also improve gut health (it’s especially refreshing during the heat of summer).

“This lavender blueberry mocktail is one of my favorites, as it acts as a refreshing replacement for a cocktail and may help with relaxation and stress relief due to the benefits from the lavender,” says Bridget Wood, RD, a diabetes expert in Austin, Texas. “The prebiotic soda offers a great alternative to traditional sodas that are usually found in cocktails, without increasing your calorie and sugar consumption too much. Unlike a cocktail containing alcohol, the prebiotic soda also may help with gut health due to the fiber content present.”

Blueberry Lavender Bliss

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 pumps lavender syrup
• Handful of fresh blueberries
• 1 cream-flavored prebiotic soda
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Crushed ice
• Fresh lavender sprigs (optional)

Directions

1. In a glass, muddle together lavender syrup and blueberries until well combined.
2. Pour soda over the top and add lemon juice to taste.
3. Add ice, then stir to combine (or leave as is for a fun variation in flavor and texture).
4. Garnish with fresh lavender, if desired.

This drink is a take on white sangria — no pinot grigio needed.

“Made with a base of green tea, this sangria boasts plenty of heart-healthy flavonoids,” says Amy Gorin, RDN, the owner of Plant Based With Amy in Stamford, Connecticut.

“Plus, you get antioxidants from the fruit juice and real fruit,” Gorin says. In this drink, you’ll find kiwis, pineapples, oranges, and key limes — plus white grape juice and passion fruit juice for a tropical kick. You’ll likely feel like you’re on vacation after just one sip.

Get the recipe at PlantBasedWithAmy.com.

This mocktail gives you sweet flavors without the added sugar.

“For a great healthy mocktail, I always reach for blackberries as a base,” says Vanessa Rissetto, RDN, CEO and cofounder of Culina Health, who’s based in the New York City area. “Fresh berries offer that bold and sweet flavor, without the added sugars found in most cocktails and mocktails. Combined with seltzer, lime, fresh basil, honey, and a bit of ground cloves, this drink will have you feeling refreshed, especially during the summer months, which is why it is a favorite of mine.”

Blackberry Bliss

Ingredients

• 6 or 7 blackberries
• 3 basil leaves, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish if desired
• Juice of ½ lime
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves (or to taste)
• Seltzer
• Ice
• Lime wedge (optional, for garnish)

Directions

1. In a glass, muddle blackberries.
2. Add basil leaves, lime juice, honey, cloves, and seltzer.
3. Add ice and stir.
4. Garnish with lime wedge and basil leaves if desired.

Strawberries, vanilla, and prebiotic soda filled with fiber make this a healthy and flavorful mocktail option. The fiber can leave you feeling more satisfied.

“As a gut health dietitian, I’m always looking for easy ways to add more fiber, and what better way to do that than a refreshing mocktail,” says Hadley. “In a glass, muddle two strawberries with fresh basil or mint leaves. Add ice, half a can of Strawberry Vanilla Olipop, and a splash of seltzer water. Top with a lime slice and sip away for a delicious mocktail with only about 3 g of sugar.”

Why to Trade Your Cocktail for a Mocktail

There’s the nonalcoholic craft beer movement, with brands like Al’s, Athletic Brewing Company, Bravus, and Partake. You can also find craft nonalcoholic wines (like Töst and Ariel) and spirits (like Seedlip and Curious Elixirs). And more bartenders are having fun creating innovative alcohol-free drinks, including ones that aren't full of sugar or packed with artificial ingredients.

“While alcohol is a known toxin, many cocktails also often contain high levels of added sugars from mixers, syrups, or sodas,” says Newman. “These ingredients can result in excessive calorie intake with low nutritional value. To create a healthier drink, consider simple substitutions. Swap premade mixers and sodas for sparkling mineral water, coconut water, fresh fruit, or fruit juice. Additionally, measure out sweeteners like agave and honey to control added sugar. This way, you can enjoy a mocktail that is both delicious and nutritious.”

Plus, creating your own mocktails can even serve as a new hobby or element of self-care.

“Exploring mocktails is an enjoyable and empowering way to take care of yourself,” Newman says. “You can get creative with fresh herbs and bold flavor combinations, or you might consider picking up a recipe book like Mocktail Party to discover new favorites. Cheers to honoring your curiosity and making choices that feel right for you!”