We’re now in an age when, thankfully, the options for non-alcoholic beverages span more than simply a glass of club soda with a squeeze of lemon or lime. While changing tastes over the past few years have brought hard seltzer, hard kombucha, and yes, even hard water, into the limelight, there’s been a simultaneous shift toward the rise of brands making delicious, refreshing, and beautifully packaged zero-alcohol drinks. And running parallel to this, thankfully, holiday mocktail recipes abound.
10 Holiday Mocktail Recipes to Celebrate the Season
Call it fatigue from the Covid-era, booze-heavy virtual happy hours, or perhaps an increase in the sober-curious among us—or any of the other many reasons we might turn down a drink. Whatever the cause, we’re wanting more from the now-trendy mocktail. To help keep your creativity flowing, we’ve found the best holiday mocktail recipes that are fruity, fizzy, and meant to be shared with family and friends. Cue the Hallmark Christmas movie vibes. Forget the hangover.
Minty Pomegranate Punch
Why We Love It: Pomegranates are the fleeting, ever-elusive ingredient that we try to use as much as we can between now and the end of December—and this recipe does the ruby-red fruit justice. Muddling the pomegranate seeds with the blueberries and mint leaves balances out their tart flavor, giving just enough sweetness to make this taste like the best take on a non-boozy mojito you’ve ever had.
Hero Ingredient: The bunch of fresh mint leaves lends a lingering coolness to offset the fruit-forward flavor of this colorful drink.
Salty Dog Mocktail
Why We Love It: Technically, Camille developed this as a cocktail recipe. But because she knows we all like a little variety in our lives, she also included a mocktail twist—and it couldn’t be easier. Grapefruit serves as the base of this drink, and on its own gives such a delicious, juicy flavor. Because of that, all you have to do is swap in some lime juice to replace the vodka or gin and add a little more grapefruit sparkling water. The recipe in its entirety calls for just three simple steps.
Hero Ingredient: I love a little garnish for added color and flavor. A rosemary sprig is perfectly festive without going overboard.
Minty Green Kombucha Smash Mocktail
Why We Love It: If you’re looking for holiday mocktail recipes that pack significant health benefits as well, this is the one to make. The foundation of this recipe is a slightly-sweet green juice that you can make in large batches. What’s more, you don’t even need a juicer to make this—simply pull out your Vitamix, blend your ingredients, and push the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Friendly reminder that you don’t need to wait until January to start practicing the habits that help you feel your best.
Hero Ingredient: Spinach is the base of many a green juice, and while you can’t taste it here thanks to the addition of plenty of other just-sweet-enough ingredients, it gives the juice its beautiful bright green color (not to mention plenty of fiber and antioxidants).
Peppermint Espresso Mocktini from Olivia Noceda
Why We Love It: We couldn’t call this the definitive list of holiday mocktail recipes without including a Christmas-favorite flavor. When the mood calls for a drink that’s cool and creamy (and you’re told that the eggnog contains rum), here’s what you need. Pretty, pepperminty, and just as deliciously indulgent as any Christmas cookie you can find, this drink epitomizes holiday fun.
Hero Ingredient: Crushed candy canes on the rim add texture and just enough festive flair.
Rosemary Pom Spritzer from Pinch of Yum
Why We Love It: If you’ve ever thought that mocktails are a second-rate substitute for the “real deal,” this recipe will have you changing your tune. Rasy to prep and fit for a crowd, this recipe checks off all of our boxes. You can make the drink in individual glasses for a small get-together with friends or mix up an entire pitcher if your plans involve a few more guests. Either way, everyone will be asking how you did it.
Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate juice gives this drink its distinctive color and flavor. Be sure to taste before going all in on the rosemary simple syrup.
Sparkling Grapefruit Mocktail from The Grumpy Olive
Why We Love It: Grapefruits are such a stunning, but often overlooked, seasonal treat. That’s why, come the holidays, I’m looking to incorporate them into everything I eat—my favorite holiday mocktail recipes included. If you can, opt for fresh grapefruit juice. It makes all the difference.
Hero Ingredient: A slice of grapefruit as garnish confirms: this mocktail is deliciously puckery.
Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail from What’s Gaby Cooking
Why We Love It: If you’ve been led to believe that apple cider belongs solely in the fall, this holiday mocktail is here to convince you otherwise. It’s bright, sparkly, and goes way beyond nursing your glass of Martinelli’s. Trust me.
Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate arils add a welcome bit of tang to this sweet mocktail.
Festive Sangria Mocktail from Little Spice Jar
Why We Love It: Sangria has the unfortunate, albeit sometimes deserved status of being named the drink of choice at many college parties. This booze-free, grown-up version adds a good amount of sophistication with a mixed medley of sliced seasonal fruits and pomegranate arils. The result is a stunning sangria that, when served with a splash of sparkling water, is celebratory enough for any party.
Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate juice is my favorite mixer. Not only for its vibrant and complex flavor but also the beautifully deep hue it lends this mocktail.
1 Minute Christmas Mimosa Mocktails from The Mindful Mocktail
Why We Love It: Sign me up for any drink that takes a minute or less to mix up. I love this less-is-more approach, especially when it comes to hosting a crowd. Two ingredients, a gorgeous color, and simple garnishes that seal the deal. This might be my ideal holiday mocktail.
Hero Ingredient: With only two ingredients to choose from, I’ll give this recipe a tie. Non-alcoholic sparkling wine and cranberry are a perfect pairing.
Cranberry Kombucha Mocktail from Get Inspired Everyday
Why We Love It: We’re low-key obsessed with this drink’s impressive color. It packs all of our favorite hues and flavors that we expect from the holiday season and even weaves in a vibrant hit of orange thanks to the garnish. Too pretty to drink? Take a picture, add to your Insta story, and sip away.
Hero Ingredient: ICYMI, kombucha isn’t just for height-of-summer poolside hangs. You can use any flavor in this recipe and the result will satisfy your craving for something bubbly. Full of probiotics that are good for your gut, this drink’s base of kombucha makes it so you’ll still feel virtuous even while going up for a second glass.
This post was last updated on November 16, 2021.
