Summer Mocktails: Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Everyone to Enjoy

Colorful and creative, summer mocktails give you an opportunity to stray from the traditional, and sometimes boring, party beverages. Non-alcoholic drinks are making a comeback, which is good news for everyone, adults and kids alike. 

In this blog, we’ll share some tasty and unique summer mocktails that are guaranteed to make any get-together a hit. 

What is a Mocktail?

Whether you’re enjoying a homemade cheese board or any summer dinner dish, having a refreshing drink on the side makes any meal better. Mocktails give everyone the opportunity to sip something tasty on a relaxing summer night. 

Simply put, a mocktail is an alcoholic beverage, without the alcohol. Any cocktail can be turned into a mocktail with the right ingredients and preparation. Below, we’ve listed some of the best summer mocktails you can try this season.

Easy Summer Mocktails

Take advantage of a hot night by enjoying some of our favorite summer mocktail recipes. All sweet and refreshing, these virgin drinks pair perfectly with any summer side dish you have planned for your family and friends.

Skip to recipes:

• Tiki Cooler
• Grapefruit-Coconut Cooler
• Mock Mule
• Blueberry Ginger Cooler
• Orange-Mango Crush
• Tiramisu Shots
• Green Tea Mai-Tai
• Chunky Watermelon Lemonade

Tiki Cooler 

If you are a fan of tropical drinks, a colada-mojito mocktail is a perfect fit for you. This tiki cooler recipe is easy to follow and will have you going back for seconds, without the fear of a hangover. 

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 can of pineapple juice (6 ounces)
• 3 limes, juiced
• 2 tablespoons of almond-flavored syrup
• 1 cup of club soda (or as needed)
• 4 pinches of ground nutmeg
• 4 lime wheels
• 4 sprigs of fresh mint (learn how to grow your own mint for guaranteed freshness)

Directions:

1. Place a few ice cubes in a pitcher. Then add your pineapple juice, coconut milk, lime juice, and almond-flavored syrup.
2. Stir the mixture until it’s chilled to your liking. 
3. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer.
4. Pour into four glasses and top off with club soda. 
5. Garnish your drink with a sprinkle of nutmeg, lime wheel, and a sprig of mint.

* Note: For a sweeter drink, add more almond-flavored syrup or honey.

Grapefruit-Coconut Cooler

This grapefruit-coconut cooler is the definition of a tasty bittersweet treat. You only need three ingredients and it takes basically no time to prepare, making it a great summer mocktail for last-minute parties or get-togethers. 

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of Ruby Red or pink grapefruit juice
• 2 ounces of cream of coconut
• ½ ounce of agave nectar

Directions:

1. Combine the grapefruit juice, cream of coconut, and agave nectar into a large bowl or pitcher.
2. Add ice (as needed) and stir until ingredients are mixed and chilled.
3. Pour into a glass over ice. 

Mock Mule

As one of the most popular virgin summer drinks, a mock mule is always a crowd pleaser. Not only is it refreshing, but it’s a great option for those looking for low-sugar summer mocktails. 

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of ginger beer (non-alcoholic)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons club soda

Directions:

1. Add ginger beer, fresh lime juice, and club soda into a small mixing bowl or pitcher.
2. Fill a copper mug (or cup) ¾ full of crushed ice.
3. Pour the mixture into your mug or cup and stir until chilled.
4. Garnish your drink with a lime wedge.

Blueberry Ginger Cooler

This blueberry ginger cooler is a unique (and non-complicated) summer mocktail that is guaranteed to impress your guests. Balanced perfectly with sweet blueberries and tangy ginger, you’ll be left feeling refreshed and satisfied.

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 1 liter of water
• 1 ¼ cup of fresh blueberries
• 1 tablespoon of grated ginger
• 4-5 teaspoons of granulated sugar (or adjust as desired for taste)
• 2-3 cans of lemon-lime sparkling water
• Mint leaves 

Directions:

1. Heat a pan up to medium-high heat.
2. Add water, blueberries, and grated ginger to the pan and stir.
3. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add the granulated sugar. Mix until dissolved.
4. Lower the heat, and using a large spoon or spatula, mash the blueberries.
5. Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and once the syrup has cooled down, cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 2-3 hours. 

*Note: This is important to allow the flavors to mix in well with each other.

1. After 2-3 hours, strain the syrup with a fine mesh strainer. 
2. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use.
3. Fill ⅔ of a glass with the prepared syrup and ice cubes.
4. Add the lemon-lime sparkling water and stir.
5. Garnish with leftover fresh blueberries and mint leaves.

Orange-Mango Crush

Another tropical favorite, this orange-mango crush is a great pick for all ages. Sweet and fun, you can’t go wrong serving this summer mocktail to a house full of guests or simply making it for yourself to enjoy after a long day.

Ingredients:

• Crushed ice
• 2 cups of orange juice
• 4 scoops of lemon sorbet
• 2 cups of chilled mango nectar
• 2 cups of chilled soda water
• Orange slices

Directions:

1. Using a blender, mix orange juice and lemon sorbet together until just combined. Transfer to a pitcher or serving jug.
2. In a separate bowl, add mango nectar and soda water. Stir thoroughly.
3. Fill each glass with crushed ice, the mango nectar, and a soda water mixture.
4. Top off with the orange mixture and garnish with orange slices.

Tiramisu Shots

Even non-fruit lovers should be able to enjoy a summer mocktail, which is why we have to share these tiramisu shots. A delicious mixture of chocolate, espresso, and vanilla, this is a recipe that you’ll want to make every day. 

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of chocolate-coated espresso beans
• 1 (12 ounces) package of firm silken tofu
• ¼ cup of strongly brewed espresso
• ¼ cup of granulated sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon of salt
• ½ tablespoon of lemon juice
• 10 (¼-½ inches thick) disks of vanilla sponge cake
• Espresso 
• Cocoa powder 

Directions:

1. Using a food processor (or blender if necessary) grind chocolate-coated espresso beans until finely ground.
2. Add the tofu, espresso, sugar, lemon juice, and salt to the food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. On the bottom of each glass, place a sponge cake circle and add a few drops of espresso on top.
4. Spoon several tablespoons of the coffee-tofu mixture on top of the sponge cake and espresso.
5. Repeat steps #3 and #4 until you finish off the coffee-tofu mixture.
6. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving and garnish with cocoa powder.

Green Tea Mai Tai

The green tea mai tai is the summer mocktail for any and all tea lovers. Light and refreshing, this virgin summer drink is easy to make and fairly healthy, making it the perfect pick-me-up for any time of day. 

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• 4 pineapple orange guava green tea bags 
• 1 cup of water
• ½ cup of pineapple juice
• ½ cup of orange juice
• Fresh pineapple, orange slices, or cherry 

Directions:

1. Steep 4 bags of chosen tea in 1 cup of boiling water for 30 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and stir in ice cubes, pineapple juice, and orange juice.
3. Add the mixture to a cocktail shaker and shake well.
4. Pour into a glass with ice and garnish with your choice of fruit (fresh pineapple, orange slices, or cherry)

* Note: If you enjoy making your own tea, feel free to use your favorite green tea recipe instead of store-bought tea bags. 

Chunky Watermelon Lemonade

Dress up your typical lemon drink with this chunky watermelon lemonade. With only a few ingredients you can make this virgin summer drink before any special occasion without any fuss. Not only will the kids love it, but the adults will be going back for seconds too.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of water
• ⅓ cup of raw sugar
• 2 cups of seedless watermelon puree
• 1 thinly sliced fresh lemon
• ¼ cup of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups of fresh seedless watermelon flesh (optional for the “chunky” element)

Directions:

1. Using a ½ gallon pitcher, combine 1 cup of the water with the sugar until it’s completely dissolved.
2. Stir in the rest of the water, the watermelon puree, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
3. Mix in the thinly sliced lemons and let chill for 1 hour before serving.

* Note: For the “chunky” option, stir in the 2 cups of chopped watermelon flesh at the end.

Summer mocktails bring any special occasion to the next level. With a little research and the right ingredients, you’ll have no problem finding a drink that’s fit for everyone. 

Ready to start making your favorite mocktails? Browse our Fresh Foods Departments to find delicious and quality ingredients you can include in your recipes today.