As the holiday season twinkles in, so does the desire for festive cocktails. While flavorful, seasonal cocktails have long been a staple of holiday soirees, the trend toward non-alcoholic and healthier options is gaining momentum. Whether you’re a designated driver, abstaining from alcohol, or just looking for an alcohol-free alternative (that isn’t juice or soda), there are plenty of non-alcoholic options out there to help you ring in the season in style. More and more companies are jumping in on the alcohol-free trend. You can find non-alcoholic wine, bubbly, gin, rum, vodka, bourbon, and even cinnamon whiskey! You can also use inspiring mixers to whip up festive concoctions that are worth toasting. Let’s raise a glass to these magnificent mocktails!
Ultimate Holiday Mocktail
This sweet and spicy mocktail is perfect for all your winter holiday celebrations – from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. With rosemary, cinnamon, agave, blood orange juice, grapefruit juice and lemon, this zesty mocktail from Orchids and Sweet Tea doesn’t need alcohol at all to put a little pep in your step!
Homemade Egg Nog
There may be no better drink to celebrate the holidays than egg nog, and when it’s homemade, well, you just can’t beat it! This thick, creamy version from Tastes Better from Scratch is delicious and exciting, whether you add alcohol or not. A hint of nutmeg and cinnamon will help put you in a festive mood in no time.
Non-Alcoholic Sangria
Red grape juice, sparkling water, cranberry juice, and fresh fruit come together to make a sensational, seasonal sangria sans alcohol. You can prep this showstopper from Recipes from a Pantry ahead of time, even the night before. Just leave out the sparkling water if you prep ahead. Add it just before serving. Tip: For a white sangria, use white grape juice as the base.
Pomegranate Mulled Cider
Nothing hits quite like the enticing aroma of mulled wine or cider. To fill your house with the scent of the season, try this healthier, non-alcoholic version of mulled cider from The View From Great Island. Made with fresh apple cider and pomegranate juice, this dreamy drink is seasoned with star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns. It’s truly a delight for the senses.
Virgin Moscow Mule
It’s hard to tell an alcoholic version of a Moscow Mule from a non-alcoholic version, which makes this mocktail a perfect drink for every celebration. It’s traditional to serve a Moscow Mule in a copper mug to keep it ice cold. In this recipe from Feast and West, freshly squeezed lime juice and ginger beer (it’s non-alcoholic) are mixed with zero-proof vodka – if you have it. If you don’t have zero-proof vodka or a another zero-proof spirit alternative on hand, you can use tea, fruit juice, club soda, or simple syrup to complete this fabulous drink.
Thanksgiving Mocktail
Made with the juice from blood oranges, this drink from Food Network Kitchen spices things up with thyme, cranberry juice, and ginger beer (don’t worry, it’s non-alcoholic) for a zesty mocktail that will make you feel like dancing even when everyone else is napping after the feast!
Note: You can get ginger beer at H-E-B. It’s a fabulous non-alcoholic mixer that’s great for whipping up inspiring mocktails – but it’s also great just to drink by itself. Do not substitute ginger ale for ginger beer. They are not the same thing.
Alcohol-Free or Zero-Proof Spirits
There are many non-alcoholic or zero-proof spirits on the market. You can easily get these online but an increasing number of stores that sell alcohol are starting to carry zero-proof versions of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, wine, and more. We’ve stirred up a list of the many companies producing alcohol-free spirits to make your holidays healthy, happy, and bright!
Fre Wine (you can find this at H-E-B)
Beverly says
Thank you for the vegan BBQ Sandwich recipe. I can’t wait to try it. I usually use Jackfruit which is hard to find in most stores. I’ll be trying this spaghetti squash recipe out soon!