8 Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Recipes To Chase Off The Summer Heat

Check out these 8 non-alcoholic cocktail recipes that will come in useful for that garden soiree or barbecue party this summer.

When the sun is beating down in a big way, sometimes an alcoholic cocktail may not be the best way to refresh oneself. That’s where a non-alcoholic cocktail, sometimes known as a mocktail, can come in.

Mocktails are not only great healthier alternatives to oftentimes overly-sweet sodas, they are also rather easy to make in the comforts of one’s own home! Here’s a simple guide will guide you through all you need to know about how to make your own non-alcoholic cocktails at home when the weather gets too warm, with eight different recipes to lift your spirits without you getting buzzed.

1. Cranberry Sparkler.

As its name suggests, a Cranberry Sparkler is the pinnacle of summertime drinking that will refresh you in a summer heatwave. It is a straightforward and simple recipe – but first, get yourself a juice mixer. Then combine ¾ cup of cranberry juice and two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice into the mixer. Once mixed, pour the juice into an ice-filled highball glass and top the glass with club soda to add bubbles, making it pleasant and refreshing to the tongue. Finally, garnish your creation with an orange wheel. If desired, serve with fresh raspberries and cranberries.

2. Lemon Basil Spritzer.

Say hello to your new go-to drink during the summer. This Lemon Basil Spritzer is a light and refreshing drink that’s perfect for sipping by the pool. All you have to do is simply mix an equal amount of salt and pepper on a plate. Next, rub the rim of the glass with a wedge of lemon, then dip them in the salt and pepper mixture.

Put three fresh basil leaves, two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and three cups of cold sparkling water in a cocktail shaker that is filled halfway with ice. Shake it for roughly about half a minute until the exterior of the shaker feels cold and icy. Strain over ice into prepared glasses and serve with lemon slices right away. You can sweeten this with simple syrup or liquid stevia made ahead of time.

3. Zombie Punch.

Don the Beachcomber’s notoriously-potent Zombie Punch is one of the most well-known cocktails in Tiki culture. But here’s an alcohol-free version that’s tasty, thirst-quenching, and easy to make. Start by mixing 2 cups granulated sugar and a cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until it has slightly thickened and reduced.

Remove the saucepan from heat, add a cinnamon stick and three whole star anise. Cover and put aside for 20-30 minutes to cool. Remove the whole spices from the mixture, and pour into a jar or bottle. Make sure to store it in the fridge so you get to drink it ice cold. Remember to garnish your drink – use mini umbrellas, fancy sticks, and lime wedges – to create the tiki feel.

4. Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri.

What could be more festive than a frozen berry drink served in a stunning glass? A Daiquiri is a quintessential summertime cocktail, and we reckon this non-alcoholic Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri works perfectly as well to wash off the heat. Also, did you know that raspberries are high in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while being low in calories? This makes it a perfect drink for those on a strict diet. Now let’s get mixing!

Using lime slices, moisten the rim of the glass. It is entirely up to you how thick you want your rim to be, but a thin rim is ideal if you are watching your sugar intake. Then add 2 cups of frozen strawberries, 3 tablespoons of freshly-squeezed lime juice, a cup of tonic water, stevia leaves, and a few drops of vanilla essence in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more water; if you prefer it thicker, add less. Finally, serve in sugar-rimmed margarita glasses with a lime wheel to complete the look.

5. Mint Julep.

Or you can show off your Southern side with this non-alcoholic twist of the Mint Julep. Simply combine ¼ cup of water, ¼ cup of white sugar, and one tablespoon of freshly chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Stir the pan and allow some time for it to boil. Remove the pan from the heat once the sugar has dissolved and set aside to cool.

Strain out the mint leaves after about an hour, then fill 2 cups with crushed ice. Pour half of your mix into each glass, followed by a dash of sugar syrup. Bonus points for serving your Julep in a classic Julep cup and garnished with mint sprigs.

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6. Pineapple Jungle Bird.

Originating in the 1970s at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, the Jungle Bird is a tropical cocktail that is a blend of bitter, sour and sweet, giving you all the fruity freshness you never knew you needed. So how about a non-alcoholic version made using alcohol-free spirits?

First fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Then, add 30 ml of Lyre’s Dark Cane Spirit, 45 ml of Lyre’s Italian Orange Spirit, 45 ml of pineapple juice, 7 ml of simple syrup, and 15 ml of lime juice into the cocktail shaker. Shake it well for about 10 to 15 seconds before straining the cocktail shaker into a glass. Finally, garnish with pineapple slices and pineapple leaves. And voilà! You now have an alcohol-free version of Malaysia’s signature cocktail.

7. Beet-Sumac.

What about a mocktail that’s made using a vegetable instead of fruit? Enter the Beet-Sumac, a fruity, tangy and spicy tipple made using beetroot that is sure to tickle your tastebuds.

Here’s how to make one. Using a box grater with fine grain, finely shred a medium beet onto a piece of cheesecloth. Gather the sides of the cheesecloth into a bundle and squeeze the beet tightly over a small container, and extract as much juice as possible.

Then boil six tablespoons of sugar, two tablespoons of sumac, and a cup of water in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to low and continue to whisk until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar is dissolved, set aside to cool. Next, strain two tablespoons of sumac syrup, six tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and the beet juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass and mix. Finally, top the glass with club soda. You’re done!

Colours can do a lot for increasing appetite. If so, the colour of this beet-based drink is sure to rouse your hunger pangs.

8. Coffee Soda.

While we don’t quite think of drinking coffee-based cocktails to cool ourselves off during the hot summer season, this one might just surprise you – Coffee Soda. We first tasted this at a fancy cafe one warm afternoon and found that it did wonders to wash off the day’s heat and humidity, so we strove to recreate it at home.

It’s ridiculously simple to make. First make a cup of good quality coffee – here’s where top-quality coffee machines come into play – to make a coffee syrup. Reduce the cup of quality in a saucepan along with half cup of sugar until the sugar dissolves. Let cool. Then fill a tall glass with ice cubes, and pour the mixture in. Add a dash of vanilla essence or vanilla liqueur, and then top off with sparkling water or club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge or a slice of orange. Now you have a drink you’ll love to kickstart your mornings with… or any other time of the day, really.

So there we go, 8 solid non-alcoholic cocktails perfect for summer!

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