Summer Mocktail Recipes

Summer gatherings often call for an abundance of libations, but whether you’re hosting minors, non-drinkers, or folks who are feeling a little “sober curious,” it’s always good to have a few non-alcoholic options available at your home bar. Go beyond juices and soda with hand-crafted mocktails that feel just as spirited as the real deal (and even more refreshing) with our selection of bartender-approved recipes below.

Pineapple & Coconut

mocktail with pineapple

This non-alcoholic take on a Painkiller cocktail skips the classic Pusser’s Rum but still delivers fruity tiki flavors.

5 oz. Pineapple Juice
2 oz. Orange Juice
1.5 oz. Cream of Coconut

Directions: Dry shake, dump over crushed ice, garnish with ground nutmeg, pineapple fronds, pineapple slice.

Recipe by Margaret Sweany

Lemon & Lime

Go a step beyond homemade lemonade drink with a touch of lime in this versatile mocktail.

1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
.75-1 oz. Homemade Simple Syrup (recipe below)

Directions: Combine ingredients in shaker glass, add a splash of water and ice, shake, and strain into serving glass over ice. Top with water, stir, and garnish with a citrus twist and sprig of mint.

Note: For a sparkling version, top with soda instead of water. Double the fresh squeezed fruit juice to make just a lime or lemon drink.

Recipe by Jamie Bolte

lemon lime mocktail

Light & Fruity

mocktail with orange

Two types of bitters in this fruit-forward mocktail help mellow the sweetness of the juices.

4 oz. Orange Juice
1 oz. Cranberry Juice
1.5 oz. Lime Juice
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
2 dashes Orange Bitters

Directions: Shake with ice cubes, top with crushed ice and orange wheel.

Note: Find bitters in the liquor department near the mixers.

Recipe by Margaret Sweany

Raspberry & Mint

Fresh fruit brings the flavor in this raspberry smash spritzer.

4-6 Raspberries
.75 oz. Homemade Simple Syrup (recipe below)
Fresh Mint Leaves
½ Lemon cut into quarters

Directions: Muddle ingredients in shaker glass, add splash of water, add ice, shake, and strain into a serving glass over ice. Top with sparkling water, give it a quick stir, and garnish with lemon twist, raspberries, and mint.

Note: Don’t like the fizz? Top with water. This recipe can be made with any fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, and cucumbers.

Recipe by Jamie Bolte

raspberry mocktail

Sweet & Sour

mocktail with lemon

This tart citrus drink is an unleaded take reminiscent of an amaretto sour.

1.5 oz. Lemon Juice
2.5 oz. Orange Juice
.75 oz. Orgeat Syrup

Directions: Shake with cubed ice, top with crushed ice and lemon wheel.

Note: Find orgeat (pronounced “or-zsa”), a syrup made of almonds, sugar, and rose water or orange flower water, online if you can’t find it in-store.

Recipe by Margaret Sweany

DIY Simple Syrup

Directions:

Measure equal parts of sugar and water.
Bring water and sugar to a small bubble (simmer) over medium-low to medium heat, stirring often as sugar dissolves.
Turn down the heat and monitor until the spoon test is passed – dip a spoon in, hold horizontally, swipe finger across the spoon. The syrup is finished when your finger swipe leaves a clean line with no dripping.
Cool syrup before adding to cocktails.

Tips and Twists:

Avoid heating everything up too much – when it cools, the syrup will be too thick to mix properly.
Any simple syrup recipe can be infused with fruits and vegetables, then strained.
Create your own grenadine by using this same process but substituting pomegranate juice for water – watch carefully to ensure it doesn’t burn.
Make a honey-based syrup by swapping honey for sugar. Infuse it with ginger or other flavors for a creative twist.