Do you enjoy a good holiday cocktail but don’t want the alcohol? Mocktails are the answer to this dilemma. With the same elements of a cocktail – complex flavors, fancy glassware, and garnishes – you won’t miss the spirits. I’ve got two quick and simple mocktail recipes for you to try out: a cranberry pomegranate cosmo and a blueberry basil bellini. These easy mocktails are full of cheer and hangover-free. If you’ve ever thought that mocktails are a second-rate substitute for the “real deal,” these recipes will have you changing your tune.
Whether you have guests coming over who don't imbibe, kids who want to partake in the fun, or you're just looking to cut back on your alcohol consumption, these easy mocktails are for you. They're more fun and exciting than iced teas, lemonades, and sodas, and everyone in the house can enjoy them. Cue the holiday vibes. Forget the hangover.
WHY WE LOVE MOCKTAILS
- Quick to make. These easy mocktails take 5 minutes or less to throw together! How’s that for quick and festive?!
- Fit for a crowd. You can make these easy mocktails 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.
- Great for the whole family. Why should the adults have all the fun at your next holiday get-together? These non-alcoholic drinks can also be enjoyed by the kiddos!
- A chance to get creative. Coming up with mocktail recipes can get your creative juices flowing and making them is super fun, too!
INGREDIENTS
Here are the ingredients you'll need for these easy mocktails:
- Pomegranate juice
- Fresh pomegranate seeds
- Orange
- Food coloring
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Mingle sparkling mocktail, cranberry cosmo flavor
- Fresh cranberries
- Mingle sparkling mocktail, blackberry hibiscus flavor
- Lime
- Fresh blueberries
- Pure maple syrup
- Fresh basil sprigs
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Pomegranate juice: Sweet, tart pomegranate juice is an ideal pairing with citrusy orange in the cosmo.
- Maple syrup: An alternative to syrups used to sweeten cocktails. Maple syrup goes well with flavors like cranberry and vanilla.
- Cranberries: The signature fruit of the holiday season.
- Mingle sparkling mocktails: I love using Mingle as a mixer because it comes in a variety of great-tasting flavors, which are perfect for adding to any recipe you might create.
- Blueberries: Adds to the aesthetic and fruity flavor of the bellini.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE COSMO
STEP 1: MIX THE JUICES
Use a citrus juicer to make fresh juice from half an orange.
Add the fresh orange juice, pomegranate juice, and food coloring to a glass jar with a lid.
Shake vigorously to combine the ingredients.
STEP 2: MAKE THE MOCKTAIL
Add the Mingle sparkling mixer to a glass jug.
Next, add the pomegranate juice mix to the mixer and use a spoon to stir and combine everything.
Finally, pour the mocktail into a martini glass.
Add some chilled pomegranate seeds and cranberries.
Finish with a sprig of rosemary and a fresh orange twist on the rim.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: BLUEBERRY BASIL BELLINI
STEP 1: MIX THE JUICES
Use a citrus juicer to make fresh juice from a lime.
Next, pour the Mingle sparkling mixer into a glass jug.
Add the fresh lime juice to the mixer. Next, add half the maple syrup and stir to combine. Taste to see if it’s sweet enough. If you prefer the drink to be sweeter, add the rest of the maple syrup.
STEP 2: MAKE THE MOCKTAIL
Add the ice to a glass.
Next, pour the mixer into the glass with ice.
Add a splash of the Mingle mixer and the food coloring to a jar. Stir well to combine everything.
Using a strainer, pour the food coloring mixture into the glass. Stir to mix the liquids.
Add some blueberries, a lime wedge, and a patterned straw. Top with a basil sprig.
EXPERT TIPS
- How to add depth of flavor. Use non-alcoholic bitters to add complexity to these easy mocktails.
- Try kombucha as a base. In addition to the potential gut health benefits, kombucha offers a slight effervescence to give your mocktails a little something extra to keep them exciting.
- Make your mocktails gorgeous. One way to make your easy mocktails a showstopper is by sugaring the rims of the glasses. It makes everything prettier and it’s so easy. Dip the glasses lightly in water or run a lime or orange wedge around the rim, then dip the glass in a little sugar to “frost” the edges.
- Use 100% juice. Make sure the label says it contains 100% real fruit juice to cut down on extra sugar and unwanted flavors.
- Get creative with the garnishes. Add some charm to your mocktails with a festive garnish. You can try maraschino cherries, cocktail umbrellas, dehydrated citrus, or edible flowers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What makes a mocktail?
A mocktail should have the same elements as a good cocktail, without the alcohol. There are a few things to look for. Does it have interesting ingredients with complex flavors? Were mixology techniques used in the preparation? Is it presented beautifully (cocktail glasses, garnishes, and embellishments)?
Is mocktail an alcoholic?
No. Mocktails are non-alcoholic mixed drinks meant to replicate the presentation and complexity of craft cocktails, just without the alcohol.
What mocktail means?
Mocktails are mixed, non-alcoholic beverages that are so named because they “mock” or look like cocktails.
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Cranberry Pomegranate Cosmo
- Yield: Serves 2 to 4 1x
Description
A refreshing non-alcoholic drink that hits all the right notes. It’s sweet, tart, bright, fresh, and looks festive as can be!
Ingredients
⅓ cup pomegranate juice
Juice of ½ orange
Pink food coloring (I used 1 teaspoon of the Supernatural food colors pink shade)
16 ounces Mingle Mocktails Cranberry Cosmo
Garnishes:
⅓ cup fresh pomegranate seeds
½ cup fresh cranberries
A few fresh rosemary sprigs
2 to 4 strips orange peel, curled around a chopstick
Instructions
In a glass jar, combine the pomegranate juice, orange juice, and food coloring. Shake well to combine. Add to the Mingle Mocktails Cranberry Cosmo and stir well. Pour into two martini glasses. To each glass add a few pomegranate seeds, some cranberries, a rosemary sprig and a fresh orange twist.
Blueberry Basil Bellini
- Yield: Serves 2 to 4 1x
Description
This refreshing, bubbly blueberry basil bellini is simple to make and is perfect for a festive brunch or any special occasion.
Ingredients
16 ounces + ½ cup Mingle Mocktails Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini
Juice of one lime
1 to 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Purple or blue food coloring (I used 1 teaspoon of the Supernatural food colors purple shade)
Ice
Garnishes:
½ cup fresh blueberries
A few fresh basil sprigs
Fresh lime wedges
Colorful straws
Instructions
1. In a glass measuring cup, combine 16 ounces of the Mingle Mocktails Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini with the lime juice and maple syrup. Stir to combine.
2. Add some ice to two glasses. Pour in enough of the mocktail to fill two third’s full.
3. In a glass jar combine another ½ cup of the Mingle Mocktails Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini with the food coloring. Stir well or place a lid on the jar and shake well. Divide this mixture evenly between the two glasses. Stir to combine.
4. Garnish the glasses with the fresh blueberries, basil sprigs, lime wedges and colorful straws.
SOME MORE HOLIDAY-BASED RECIPES TO TRY!
- For Valentine’s Day, these poached pears make a delicious, elegant dessert.
- When Cinco de Mayo comes around, you’ve got to try this fruit salsa with cinnamon pita chips recipe.
- For Christmas, you will love making these vegan jam thumbprint cookies.
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