Guide to the Best Healthy Mocktails

Many people enjoy cocktails for their unique flavor combinations, but not everyone wants to deal with the booze. Mocktails allow us to change our relationship with alcohol by offering a high-quality alternative when we choose not to drink. Delicious ingredients like fresh fruit juices, herbs, and spices combine to make unique flavor profiles that are both refreshing and delightful.

Healthy mocktails are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that provide nourishment, and many offer energy-boosting benefits as well. If you’re looking for an interesting way to mix up your social routine or simply need a way to relax without drinking alcohol, a healthy mocktail is one of the best options available.

What Are Healthy Mocktails?

A mocktail is a delicious beverage crafted with whole ingredients such as fruits, natural sweeteners, herbs and bitters, or even fermented foods. With healthy mocktails, you can enjoy the same refreshing taste as a boozy beverage without experiencing any of the adverse effects associated with excess alcohol consumption. Plus, you’ll skip that next-day hangover (and save a little money!).

Healthy mocktails don't have to be boring. The key to crafting the perfect mocktail that looks and tastes just like the real thing is to substitute healthy ingredients for unhealthy ones. Thankfully, the sober-curious movement has inspired companies to produce craft non-alcoholic spirits with rich flavors and botanical profiles.

Crafting the Perfect Mocktail

If you don’t have access to alcohol-free spirits, you can still enjoy a healthy mocktail. Crafting the perfect healthy mocktail is a fun and easy task with delicious rewards. All you need are some fresh fruits, juices, and zests — depending on your taste preferences. Popular healthy choices include blueberries, cucumber slices, fresh peaches, grapefruit zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, lime zest and juice, melon balls, orange slices and juice, pineapple spears and juice, pomegranate juice, fresh raspberries and sliced strawberries. Experiment with different mix-ins to craft the perfect beverage.

Let’s take a look at some recipes!

Sunrise Citrus Splash Mocktail

INGREDIENTS:

¼ cup of fresh orange juice

¼ cup of grapefruit juice

¼ cup of pomegranate juice

2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice

Sparkling water or club soda, to top

Ice cubes

Fruit for garnish

Zest of lemon, lime, and grapefruit for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a pitcher, combine the orange juice, grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and lime juice. Stir well to mix.
2. Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes.
3. Pour the mixed fruit juices over the ice, leaving some room at the top.
4. Top off with sparkling water or club soda for a refreshing fizz.
5. Garnish the mocktail with a colorful assortment of fruit. You can create a skewer of blueberries, add a couple of cucumber slices to the side of the glass, or simply float some peach slices, melon balls, pineapple spears, and sliced strawberries on top.
6. Add a sprinkle of lemon, lime, and grapefruit zest over the mocktail for an aromatic finish.

Herbal Fusion Mocktail

Amp up the flavor by adding herbs and spices. Anise, basil, bitters, cardamom, cilantro, cinnamon sticks, fresh mint leaves, ginger juice, pure vanilla extract and thyme can add a wealth of incredible flavors while also providing antioxidants. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 teaspoon of ginger juice

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

2-3 cardamom pods, gently crushed

1 cinnamon stick

A few fresh basil leaves

A handful of fresh mint leaves

2-3 drops of bitters

Sparkling water or club soda

Ice cubes

Optional garnishes: a sprig of thyme, cilantro leaves, or anise star

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a shaker, combine the ginger juice, pure vanilla extract, crushed cardamom pods, and a few basil and mint leaves. If you have a muddler, gently muddle the leaves and cardamom to release their flavors.
2. Add ice cubes to the shaker, cover, and shake well to chill the mixture.
3. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice, discarding the solids.
4. Top off the glass with sparkling water or club soda, giving it a gentle stir to combine.
5. Add the split vanilla bean and cinnamon stick directly into the drink as garnish.
6. Garnish with a sprig of thyme, a few cilantro leaves, or an anise star to introduce even more complexity to the drink’s aroma and flavor.

Energizing Zen Tea 

Crafting the perfect healthy mocktail can sometimes be easier said than done, but once you learn what works for you, you can start experimenting. Tea is one unique ingredient to play around with. It’s full of healthy ingredients like antioxidants and adaptogens, with a low-grade caffeine kick.

Explore black tea, cold brew coffee, or green tea. These enhance the flavor of your healthy mocktail and provide some gentle energy. You can also try herbal teas like chamomile, rooibos, or Tulsi (holy basil). Experiment with different combinations until you find one that perfectly suits your taste buds.

Here’s an Energizing Zen Tea to tickle your taste buds. Soak in the mindfulness!

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup of cold brew coffee

½ cup of brewed black tea (cooled)

¼ cup of green tea (cooled)

¼ cup of your choice of herbal tea (chamomile, rooibos, or Tulsi) (cooled)

Honey or agave syrup to taste

Ice cubes

Optional garnishes: lemon slice, fresh mint leaves, or a cinnamon stick

DIRECTIONS:

1. Begin by brewing your choice of herbal tea. Allow it to cool to room temperature or chill in the refrigerator.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the cold brew coffee, brewed black tea, green tea, and the herbal tea of your choice.
3. Sweeten the mixture with honey or agave syrup according to your preference. Stir well until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
4. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
5. Pour the mocktail mixture over the ice, filling the glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon slice, fresh mint leaves, or a cinnamon stick for an extra touch of flavor and elegance.

Garden Bliss Mocktail

Crafting the perfect healthy mocktail can be just as much fun as making boozy cocktails! This “Garden Bliss” mocktail is delightfully refreshing and full of healthy, vitamin-packed ingredients. With a colorful mix of berries, a hint of spicy ginger, the citrusy zest of lemons and limes, and the aromatic touch of fresh herbs and edible flowers, each sip is a celebration of flavors. The pomegranate seeds, juicy cherries, and chia seeds add a delightful texture, while a few drops of bitters add complexity to the drink’s flavor profile. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of sparkling water

½ cup of brewed green tea (cooled)

¼ cup of mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)

1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds

1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, finely sliced

A few cherries for garnish

1 teaspoon of chia seeds

2-3 drops of bitters (optional)

Lemon and lime slices

Fresh herbs (mint or basil) and edible flowers for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pitcher, mix the sparkling water and green tea. Stir well to combine.
2. Gently muddle the mixed berries and ginger in a glass to release their flavors.
3. Add the muddled berries and ginger to the pitcher.
4. Stir in the pomegranate seeds, chia seeds, and a few drops of bitters, if using. Mix well.
5. Fill glasses with ice and pour the mocktail over the ice.
6. Garnish with lemon and lime slices, a few cherries, and a sprig of fresh herbs or an edible flower.

Avocado Margarita

Avocado margaritas are a healthy and mouth-watering mocktail that’s sure to please. Combining fresh avocados, freshly squeezed lime juice, margarita syrup, and sparkling water creates a light yet creamy concoction. With the right balance of healthy ingredients, this mocktail offers the perfect healthy refreshment. Plus, you can easily adjust the sweetness or tartness to your exact preference by manipulating the amount of lime juice and syrup. All in all, this healthy mocktail is an easy way to spruce up any booze-free occasion or simply satisfy your margarita craving with a twist.

Here’s a tasty Avocado Margarita recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

½ avocado

½ cup lime juice

1 cup orange juice

2 pinches sea salt

½ teaspoon honey

1 watermelon radish, sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine avocado, lime juice, sea salt, honey, and orange juice in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and liquefied.
3. Garnish with fresh lime zest, sea salt around the rim, and watermelon radish.

With these simple tips in mind, it won't be long before you are crafting the perfect healthy mocktail.