15 Mocktails For Designated Drivers To Drink On National Cocktail Day
National Cocktail Day is right around the corner and lands on March 24 this year. Cocktails have graced our tables and bars since roughly the 1860s and really took off in popularity after Prohibition in the 1920s. We can thank speakeasies for their experimentation with mixology, and the 90s for helping develop cocktails into what they are now. Without these historical leaps by curious drinkers, cocktails may not have ever gone beyond plain liquor and sugar.
While there are plenty of delightful and boozy cocktail options out there, sometimes the designated drivers (DDs) and non-drinkers in the group get stuck drinking something less exciting, like soda or plain water. It hardly seems right that the ones ensuring their friends' safety get the short end of the swizzle stick. Everyone deserves a lovely libation to celebrate National Cocktail Day, whether they prefer alcoholic or non-alcoholic. With that in mind, let's show appreciation for the DDs and non-drinkers of the world by compiling a list of scrumptious mocktails to carry them through this National Cocktail Day — and any future holidays.
1. Coconut Cream Mocktail
If you're a fan of pineapple and coconut, this is the drink for you. This paradise-inspired mocktail is cool, refreshing, and bright with a sweet and creamy texture (thanks to both coconut milk and coconut cream) that will have you sailing through the night. It is as simple as tossing your ingredients into a blender, pressing the button, and pouring it into a glass. With such simple preparation and multiple servings to last you through the evening, it's an excellent, non-alcoholic sipper to accompany any occasion.
Recipe: Coconut Cream Mocktail
2. Margarita Mocktail
Place a virgin spin on the classic margarita, and we have the margarita mocktail. It brings the beloved and classic margarita flavors together in a frozen beverage so that you don't have to miss out on anything but the buzz. With some simple preparation of slicing limes, blending the ingredients together, and adding a tasty accent to the rim of the glass, this frozen drink looks like the real deal and tastes amazing. It is also delicious when shaken and served over ice.
Recipe: Margarita Mocktail
3. Apple-cranberry Spritzer
While this drink's flavor combination is typically advertised as a holiday drink, there are no rules that say it can't be just as delicious at any other time of year. This mocktail is fruity and tart, with just the right amount of fizz from the sparkling water or lemon-lime soda. The recipe is simple, with a mixture of equal parts apple juice and cranberry juice, topped with a splash of seltzer water or lemon-lime soda. It's colorful, tasty, and refreshing.
Recipe: Apple-cranberry Spritzer
4. Wizard-Approved Butterbeer Mocktail
This mocktail requires a smidge of homemade kitchen magic but is completely worth it, especially for Potter fans. With a creamy butterscotch and vanilla flavor profile, the butterbeer becomes the perfect base for a dollop of fresh homemade whipped cream. The addition of cream soda provides a light and effervescent quality that balances the beverage perfectly. There are few mocktails more indulgent than this wizard-approved butterbeer mocktail recipe — it may even become a favorite of the alcohol drinkers in the building, also.
5. Virgin Pina Colada
One favorite of beachgoers and cruise guests is none other than the piña colada. The sweet and bright pineapple-based beverage just screams vacation and can do so even without the alcohol. This mocktail combines the best elements of a piña colada and opens up the door for creativity. Will you garnish yours with the classic cherry, or go wild with strawberries or a banana? However you choose to decorate it, this virgin piña colada will make your tastebuds feel happy and light.
Recipe: Virgin Piña Colada
6. Adrenal Mocktail
This one is for health-conscious individuals. If you want to multitask with your mocktail, then the Adrenal Mocktail may be the beverage for you, as it allows you to sip and savor while simultaneously boosting your health. This beverage contains orange juice, cream of tartar, and salt, and supposedly will help to boost your electrolytes, improve thyroid health, and stabilize your blood sugar. This is a non-alcoholic drink that does a lot of heavy lifting and provides a nutritious boost with its citrusy flavor.
Recipe: Adrenal Mocktail
7. Grasshopper Mocktail
If you're familiar with a grasshopper cocktail, then you know that it packs the perfect balance of minty creamy goodness into a fun, green drink. Now in virgin form, the grasshopper mocktail brings those same, yummy elements into play without the alcohol. To make this mocktail concoction, simply combine white hot chocolate mix with milk, a smidge of peppermint extract, and green food coloring. It's as simple as that, and your alcohol-drinking friends will be green with envy.
Recipe: Grasshopper Mocktail
8. Lime Rickey
For soda-loving adults who want less sugar in their drink, we've got you covered with the Lime Rickey. This mocktail looks like a classic cocktail if you want to blend in, but tastes tart and refreshing with a lime-based flavor profile. Based on a 19th-century cocktail, the Lime Rickey is simply club soda and lime juice over ice. Put it in a highball glass, and you're ready to party with the best of them.
Recipe: Lime Rickey
9. Classic Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple was a Hollywood icon in her childhood years, as she graced the screen with her sweet and rosy-cheeked demeanor. The drink named after her brings the same amount of charm and childhood nostalgia to adults. With its sweet grenadine and ginger-ale base, it's a fun and palatable sparkling beverage that brightens up even more when paired with fresh-squeezed lime juice. Add as many maraschino cherries as your inner child desires, and enjoy.
Recipe: Classic Shirley Temple
10. Alcohol-free Mojito
The alcohol-free mojito is sure to be as fresh as your National Cocktail Day party outfit. This mocktail gives a non-alcoholic option to mint lovers, with a base of lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and sparkling water. It looks like a real cocktail and tastes close to the real deal, also. It's a breeze to make and even involves some muddling, so you can channel your inner bartender. If you like fresh herbs and citrus, this is definitely the mocktail for you.
Recipe: Alcohol-free Mojito
11. Thai Iced Tea
While it isn't technically based on a cocktail, Thai iced tea is a delectable iced beverage that will keep you happy through any party or event. With a modest amount of preparation, it comes together to provide a creamy, sweet, herbal profile that is truly exceptional. You may have to search for authentic Thai tea, but will not be disappointed with the end result. This can also be made ahead of time, so you only need to pour and go.
Recipe: Thai Iced Tea
12. Classic Lemonade
It's a classic for a reason. Freshly squeezed, sweet, and icy lemonade is one of, if not the most perfect warm-weather drinks. Whether you sold it on your neighborhood curb as a kid or slurped it down at daycare, lemonade is still a fresh and fun go-to drink for children and adults, alike. From its simple components of lemons, sugar, and water, you can also elevate this lemonade with fresh herbs like basil or mint and make it a grown-up level of fancy.
Recipe: Classic Lemonade
13. Small-Batch Apple Cider
Small-batch anything is bound to be exceptional, and this apple cider is no different. While it takes a bit of prep work, it's a natural, flavorful, and vitamin-packed beverage that you can enjoy hot or cold, in any environment. The apples and oranges provide helpful vitamins, and the cinnamon and ginger offer anti-inflammatory benefits, which is more than your friends can say about their boozy cocktails. Make this ahead of time, and serve it up as a delicious mocktail when you need it.
Recipe: Small-Batch Apple Cider
14. Homemade Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon is over 90% water and is an excellent way to hydrate, in addition to being a delicious fruit. This watermelon lemonade combines hydrating, sweet, and tangy flavors to make a perfect poolside mocktail. You can easily serve this over the rocks or frozen-blended and can top it with fresh mint or basil to make it look super official. Adding a bit of lime brightens it up even more and balances out the sweetness with a citrusy zing.
Recipe: Homemade Watermelon Lemonade
15. Strawberry Sweet Tea
Did you know that strawberries have about 14% more vitamin C than oranges? It's true, and that is just one of the fun facts you can share with other partygoers as you sip on your tasty glass of strawberry sweet tea. Made with green tea, sugar, and strawberries, this sweet, iced tea recipe is as healthy as it is scrumptious. It's eye-catching as a brilliant red and serves very well over ice (although you could even drink it hot if you wanted to).
Recipe: Strawberry Sweet Tea