What Is A Mocktail? Shake It Up With These 5 Delicious Healthier Recipes!

What is a mocktail and who would want one??? Well, a mocktail is a cocktail minus the alcohol making it a non alcoholic beverage! There are many reasons why people don’t consume alcohol which makes mocktail recipes a big hit amongst several demographics.

I don’t drink alcohol. Any time I do anything with friends that involves alcohol consumption, I am the designated driver. At baby showers, happy hour, or even a party at home, I’m the one not drinking.

It’s not because I don’t like alcoholic drinks, the reason I no longer consume alcoholic ingredients is because I get severe headaches. For the longest time I would hang with all my friends and have the margaritas and yummy cocktails. But, as time went on the headaches and hangovers were not worth it, so I decided to stop drinking alcohol altogether.

I definitely miss the mojitos and margs, and every so often if it looks good enough, I’ll have a drink. But those times are few and far between. Now there are many studies coming out that there are great health reasons to not consume alcohol. Reading these studies makes my decision to not consume even easier.

This is where mocktails come in! Water gets boring so I’m always looking for a fun, refreshing beverage to consume at a social gathering. These non alcoholic cocktails make a delicious drink even expecting mothers can enjoy!

In this blog post I will give away a few of my favorite mocktail recipes!

What Is A Mocktail Made Of?

Not all mocktails are created equal! This non alcoholic drink is more than just soft drinks or juice. Mocktails, aka virgin drink are made from a few different ingredients mixed together, just like a regular cocktail simply without the alcohol.

Establishments such as Ocean Beach Cafe in CA, and Sans Bar in Austin, TX offer non alcoholic mixed drinks and nothing else! There are many mixology methods, but for the most part, these virgin cocktails are shaken with a cocktail shaker just like their traditional alcoholic counterparts.

Virgin cocktails contain ingredients similar to classic cocktails such as:

• Fruit juices
• NA liquor
• lime juice
• ginger ale
• club soda
• ginger beer
• grapefruit juice
• simple syrup
• fresh mint
• grenadine syrup
• orange juice

Just because the beverage doesn’t contain alcohol, doesn’t mean it’s any less amazing. Check out these recipes for some delicious mocktails the most serious alcohol drinker will envy!

Non Alcoholic Drinks To Swoon Over!

Without further ado we will get right into a few of my favorite mocktails!

Strawberry Mojito Mocktail Recipe

A traditional mojito is typically made with rum and some sort of fizzy base like club soda or sprite. I have tried to reduce the overall sugar by using one of my favorite soda alternatives, Zevia. I’m a BIG fan! It come in many different flavors and is refreshing alone as well as in mocktail recipes.

Ingredients for 1 drink:

• 2oz Ritual Zero Proof Rum
• 3 large strawberries
• 2 large stems of mint
• Zevia Gingerale – 1/2 can
• Lime juice or lime
• Ice

Directions:

• Muddle the mint leaves and strawberries in a cocktail shaker
• Pour in your N/A Rum
• Add ice
• Add the Zevia
• Top with ice and shake, shake, shake
• After the mocktail is shaken, pour into your drinking glass and top with a lime!

Mango Margarita Mocktail Recipe

Ingredients for 1 drink:

• 1.5oz Zero Proof Tequila
• 1 cup frozen mango
• Lime garnish

Directions:

• Blend the frozen mango until is smooth in a food processor or blender
• Pour in Zero Proof Tequila and pulse a couple more times in the blender
• Pour into your favorite large margarita tumbler and garnish with a lime6

Pineapple Ginger Zing

My good friend loves Moscow Mules! I was never a fan, however this mango twist is the real deal! Check it out!

Ingredients:

• 1/8th cup mint leaves
• 1/2 tsp chopped ginger
• 1/2 lime wedged
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• Zevia Ginger Beer
• Ice cubes or crushed ice

Directions:

• Muddle the mint, ginger, lime juice squeezed from the lime, and 1/2 cup of pineapple in a shaker
• puree the remaining pineapple in a food processor or blender
• Pour Zevia Ginger Beer, and pineapple puree into the shaker
• Shake all the ingredients up
• Pour over an iced cocktail glass

Mango Mule Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1 oz of honey
• 3 oz Zevia ginger beer
• 5 slices of cucumber
• 1/2 lime wedged
• Ice cubes

Directions:

• Muddle the cucumber and honey in a cocktail shaker
• Puree the mango in a food processor or blender
• Pour the mango in the shaker
• Add 3 oz of ginger beer
• Squirt in lime juice
• Shake Shake Shake, pour into a copper mug and enjoy

Sangria

Ingredients (makes 2 big glasses):

• 3 cups Elivo Zero Deluxe Red
• 1 orange sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 lime sliced 1/4 inch thick 
• 1 lemon sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 apple cored and chopped into small cubes
• 1 cup Zevia grape
• Ice

Directions:

1. layer sliced fruits on the bottom of a small pitcher
2. Muddle slightly so some of the fruit is just juice and some is whole
3. Add chopped apples
4. Pour in Elivo Zero
5. Pour in Zevia
6. Add ice stir and serve in individual glasses

Wrap Up

No matter the reason you are not drinking alcohol, mocktails are a great way to enjoy the feeling of conviviality during a night out. People come together to celebrate occasions over good food, and good drinks. Mocktails fill the void of a drink less hand while still allowing you to stick to not consuming alcohol. 

Not to mention, there are health benefits associated with not drinking alcohol. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Considered A Mocktail?

Non-alcoholic beverages that contain fruit juice and soft beverages. It is obvious in dictionary terms that mocktails are packed with fruit juice, and a variety of other ingredients from fresh fruit to herbs and sparkling waters or soda water. 

Why Is It Called A Mocktail?

Mocktail is the “portmanteau of mock cocktails” and is a nonalcoholic beverage. The term mock refers to an alcoholic premises without any alcoholic substance. In the 2000s, it was popular enough that it found its spot in the cocktails menu of numerous restaurants and bars. 

Is Alcohol Considered Food?

Alcohol is not considered food, and is often considered “empty” calories. It is not essential to life, therefor not considered a macronutrient like protein, carbohydrates, and fat. There are 7 calories per gram of alcohol, 4 calories per gram of protein, 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate, and 9 calories per gram of fat. 

Are There Bars That Serve Only Mocktails?

Yes!! Here are a few dry bars near you to check out the next time you are in the vicinity! 

• Unimpaired Dry Bar – Iowa City, IA 
• Sans Bar – Austin, TX
• Listen Bar – New York
• Ocean Beach Cafe – San Francisco, CA