What are Mocktails?

Mocktails, an abbreviation for “mock cocktails", are festive, non-alcoholic party drinks. Mocktails are often offered for designated drivers, pregnant women, or any party guests who choose not to drink alcohol. Although many drink recipes can be prepared without alcohol, some are especially popular. Mocktails come in many varieties: frozen, hot, fizzy, non-fizzy, and cream-based recipes.

A Shirley Temple is one of the classic mocktails, often served to children. Named for the child actor, it contains lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, and a dash of grenadine, with a maraschino cherry for garnish. The Roy Rogers is another of the traditional mocktails, this one named for a straight-laced singing cowboy; it is made with cola splashed with a bit of grenadine and is also garnished with a maraschino cherry.

Any flavor of Daiquiri can be made into a mocktail. For a raspberry non-alcoholic version, blend ice, raspberry puree, and lime juice; pour into a glass with sugar on the rim and garnish with fresh raspberries. To create a Seabreeze mocktail, mix cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, and a little lime juice. Using a chilled highball glass, pour the mixed juices over ice.

A Nada Colada contains all the ingredients of a regular Pina Colada except the alcohol. Blend pineapple juice, cream of coconut, rum extract, and crushed ice in a blender until smooth. Serve garnished with a pineapple slice. The Cajun Clamato is a mock bloody-Mary type drink made with Clamato juice, a dash each of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, salt and pepper, horseradish, and a celery stalk for garnish.

Mocktails are popular alternatives to alcoholic drinks and allow everyone to enjoy the spirit of a celebratory occasion in a responsible manner. Most mocktails are blends of fresh fruit juices and syrups, and some contain cream, herbs, or spices. Since mocktails contain no alcohol, people of all ages can enjoy them. Hot mocktail recipes include non-alcoholic wassail. Easy to prepare in a crock pot, this drink contains apple cider, unsweetened pineapple juice, and tea, seasoned with cloves, allspice, and cinnamon.