11+ Refreshing Drinks that are non-alcoholic
By Alicia McCormick
Summer cocktail parties on the patio. Poolside lounging at a resort. Outdoor weddings in July. There are so many occasions where a refreshing cocktail is the perfect addition to a hot summer day.
But what if you’re alcohol-free? Can you still join in on the fun?
The good news is that there are plenty of refreshing and delicious non-alcoholic summer drinks out there to suit every taste. Fresh, fruity, complex and refreshing — there's really no reason to compromise on flavor.
What are some good drinks without alcohol?
The trick is to find non-alcoholic summer drinks that still feel grown-up and special. You don’t want to feel like you’re drinking a “soft drink” meant for children. We’re looking for something a little more festive than a Diet Coke.
The good news is, the market for low and non-alcoholic drinks has really taken off in recent years. These days there are a bunch of really good, really tasty low and non-alcoholic beers and wines out there to choose from.
And then of course there's the ever-popular mocktail. These mixed drinks are a non-alcoholic twist on all your favorite flavors, minus the alcohol. And the hangover. Win-win.
What are some recipes for non-alcoholic cocktails?
Sophisticated Sips
These chic and refreshing non-alcoholic drink recipes will give you that stylish cocktail party vibe minus the buzz.
Non-alcoholic Negroni
This timeless classic requires some more specialized ingredients but retains the irresistible herbaceous flavors of the original.
Serves two
Ingredients:
2 ounces Monday Zero Alcohol Gin
2 ounces Giffard Aperitif Syrup
2 ounce Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso
4 droppers All the Bitter Orange bitters
4 droppers All the Bitter Aromatic bitters
Ice
Garnish: A twist of orange
Instructions:
Add all ingredients (minus the garnish) to a cocktail shaker and stir.
Strain into a glass with one ice cube.
Garnish: An orange peel twist and expressed orange oil.
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Elderflower and mint fizz
Another great make-ahead mocktail, featuring the sophisticated flavor of elderflower.
Serves six
Ingredients:
1 ½ ounces Elderflower cordial (such as Belvoir or Bottlegreen)
32 ounces apple juice.
1 bunch roughly chopped mint leaves
Club soda to top off and adjust sweetness.
Instructions:
Mix the Elderflower cordial, apple juice, and mint leaves in a large pitcher. (This can be made ahead and left in the fridge until ready to serve.)
Pour cordial mixture into glasses. Top with club soda and crushed ice.
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Rosemary and ginger mule
This mocktail doesn't even miss the vodka, and the flavor combination of rosemary and ginger makes for a drink equally at home in all seasons, not just summer.
The making of the rosemary syrup is a little extra work but really worth it.
To make the syrup, bring 1 cup of water, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 cup of loosely packed rosemary sprigs to a boil over medium heat.
Stir occasionally until sugar is dissolved.
Remove from the heat and leave the rosemary to steep in the syrup for half an hour.
Strain and discard the sprigs.
Store the syrup in an airtight glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Serves two
Ingredients:
4 Tbsp. rosemary syrup
2 cans non-alcoholic ginger beer
Juice of two limes
Ice
Garnish: A fresh sprig of rosemary and a slice of lime
Instructions:
Stir the syrup, lime juice and ginger beer together with ice.
Pour into two glasses.
Smack the rosemary garnish to release oil. (You read that right — give it a good smack against the palm of your hand!) Place in the glass, and allow the lime slice to float on top.
Classic cocktails without the kick
These poolside summer drinks pack all the fun of the tiki bar without the day-after headache. Don’t forget the mini umbrellas!
Here are some alcohol-free recipes for our favourite fun drinks.
Piña colada
This family-friendly, rum-free version has all the creamy pineapple goodness of the traditional drink.
Serves two–to–four depending on the size of the glasses.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups frozen unsweetened pineapple pieces
¼ cup of ice
¾ cup unsweetened pineapple juice
¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk
Brown sugar to taste. (Feel free to omit this if the pineapple is very sweet.)
Garnish: Fresh pineapple wedges, maraschino cherries, a straw and of course, a little umbrella
Method:
Pop the pineapple, ice, juice and milk into a blender.
Puree until smooth.
Taste test for sweetness, adding brown sugar if needed.
Pour, garnish, and serve!
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Mojito
Nothing beats the freshness of lime and mint on a hot day, and a mojito makes a great make-ahead drink to welcome party guests.
Serves six
Ingredients:
4 tbsp demerara sugar. White sugar or a simple syrup works, but the demerara adds richness.
1 bunch of mint
Juice of 9 limes
Club soda
Garnish: one thinly sliced lime and crushed ice to serve
Instructions:
Muddle the sugar and fresh mint leaves together and add to a large jug.
Add in the lime juice and refrigerate until needed.
Just before your guests arrive, add lots of crushed ice and the club soda.
Pour into glasses and serve.
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Strawberry Daiquiri
Seldom does a cocktail come with such a great punch of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. A good idea here is to chill the glasses before filling them so that your drink stays frosty for longer.
Try it with all sorts of fresh fruits like blueberries or raspberries.
Serves two
Ingredients:
2 cups frozen strawberries (using frozen strawberries allows for a great slushy texture without watering down the flavor too much by using ice)
½ cup fresh strawberries
½ cup lime juice
2 ounces non-alcoholic rum (optional)
Water as needed for consistency
Garnish: A slice of fresh lime and a strawberry
Instructions:
Pop all ingredients into a blender and whizz away.
Add water to adjust the consistency if needed.
Taste test for sweetness. If you want to add a little extra, try a dash of maple syrup.
What are some good non-alcoholic drinks to order at a bar?
We all know about the usual sodas and juices on offer at most restaurants and bars, but what about something a little out of the ordinary?
A Shirley Temple has always been alcohol-free, and any good bar should be able to whip one up in a flash. It’s made with ginger ale, lemon or lime juice, a dash of grenadine syrup and finished off with a maraschino cherry. Fun, flirty and delicious. It's a classic for a reason.
A club soda with a twist of lime is a refreshing drink and also looks like it may be alcoholic, thus staving off unwelcome inquiries into why you're not drinking.
If you're looking to limit your alcohol consumption rather than eliminate it altogether, a rock shandy is a great option that is big on flavor but really light on alcohol. It's an equal mix of club soda and lemonade topped off with a dash of aromatic bitters. Not too sweet, plus a spicy hint of cloves and cinnamon.
Aromatic bitters contain 44% ALC/VOL, but the amount is so minuscule with the few dashes added into this mix, that the alcohol is all but undetectable. It's good to know because this may or may not align with your reasons for going alcohol free.
Another option is to skip the Bloody Mary and opt for a glass of tomato juice with all the usual trimmings, like salt pepper, tabasco or worcester sauce. Savory and satisfying.
Tonic water mixed with some fruit juice is also a really refreshing option with just the right amount of bitterness and fruity flavor.
Some restaurants and bars carry non-alcoholic gins, rums, whiskeys and even aperitifs. Chat with the bartender to find out what they stock, and mix them as you would their alcohol-based counterparts.
If you're a wine drinker, you may see a bottle of something like Hand on Heart Cabernet Sauvignon (less than 0.5% ABV), Noughty Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay (0.0 %ABV) or Pierre Zēro Rosé (0.09% ABV) on offer. These wines allow you to enjoy a glass of something special with little to no alcohol.
And finally, any bar worth their salt stocks at least one alcohol-free beer, and we've taste tested some of the most delicious ones for you to take out the guesswork.
What is a refreshing non-alcoholic replacement for beer?
Of course, there are some summer occasions where only a beer will do. Think backyard barbecues, golf outings, or a frosty glass after mowing the lawn.
Considering the growth of non-alcoholic wine and specifically beer, you'll be happy to know that there are many options of both non-alcoholic AND alcohol-free beers available out there.
Before we get to our favorites, let’s go over some terms. It may come as a surprise to hear that alcohol-free and non-alcoholic do not mean the same thing.
Technically, non-alcoholic drinks can include up to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), while alcohol-free options are those with no detectable alcohol, i.e. 0.0 % ABV.
On the other hand, low-alcohol beers can contain up to 2.5 % ABV.
Here are five favorites to try.
One of the most easily accessible is Heineken 0.0% alcohol-free lager. Really close in taste to its boozy brother, its low sugar content makes it a low-calorie choice too.
If it's an IPA you're looking for, Partake IPA steps up to the plate. With its golden color, it's described as balancing “citrusy hops with a sweet malty backbone.” Delicious.
Untitled Art Florida Weisse is a sour ale with all the fruity aromas you'd expect.
For stout fans, try the Athletic Brewing Co’s All Out Stout. Described as “light, but rich, smooth yet complex, and has a brazen flavor that never quits.”
Then there's Clausthaler Original out of Germany. This company has been at the forefront of non-alcoholic beers for years, and it has a taste that's stood the test of time. With dry hopped, lemon and grapefruit flavors there’s a refreshing option for any occasion.
This summer season, there's no reason to stick to plain old club soda when there are so many refreshing and flavorful drink options with little to no alcohol.
Mocktails and NA beers and wines will have you raising your glass to better health and wellness.
Cheers!