Six drinks to start with
Each glass below is drawn from its recipe. The colored bands show how much of each ingredient goes in, from the syrup at the bottom to the soda on top. Ounces are for one drink. The drink formulas page explains how to swap fruits and syrups, and the batching guide scales each one to a pitcher.
Orange mint cooler
Highball, build over ice
- Soda water at serving3 oz
- Orange juice2 oz
- Lime juice1/2 oz
- Mint syrup1/2 oz
Bright and easy. The soda goes in last so it stays lively.
Berry lemon smash
Rocks glass, shake, pour over fresh ice
- Soda water at serving1 1/2 oz
- Lemon juice3/4 oz
- Berry puree1 oz
- Simple syrup1/2 oz
Strain the puree if guests mind seeds. Raspberries and blackberries both work.
Ginger lime sour
Coupe, shake hard with ice, strain
- Apple juice2 oz
- Lime juice3/4 oz
- Ginger syrup3/4 oz
Served up with no ice in the glass, so shake it cold and pour it right away.
Grapefruit rosemary spritz
Wine glass, build over ice
- Soda water at serving3 oz
- Grapefruit juice2 oz
- Rosemary syrup1/2 oz
A drier drink for guests who like a little bitterness.
Hibiscus lime cooler
Highball, build over ice
- Soda water at serving2 oz
- Chilled hibiscus tea3 oz
- Lime juice1/2 oz
- Simple syrup1/2 oz
Brew the tea strong and chill it the day before. It turns a deep berry red.
Cranberry orange punch
Rocks glass, stir in a pitcher, pour over ice
- Ginger ale at serving2 oz
- Cranberry juice2 oz
- Orange juice1 1/2 oz
- Lemon juice1/4 oz
Made for a punch bowl or drink dispenser. Add the ginger ale by the glass.
Where to start
Mocktail basics
Sweet, sour and dilution in balance, plus the few tools you need and how to shake, stir and build.
Syrups you make ahead
Simple syrup, rich syrup, herb and spice syrups, and how long they keep in the fridge.
Batching for a crowd
Turn one good glass into a pitcher, plan quantities per guest and keep the bubbles fresh.
Hosting everyone
Give alcohol-free drinks equal billing, label what is in each one and skip the questions.
Fresh juice and ice safety
Wash produce, keep juice cold, handle ice like food and know when to pour it out.
Set up a drink station
A self-serve table that flows: where the ice goes, what to label and how to restock.
Why plan the drinks at all
At many parties the alcohol-free choice is a bottle of soda and a jug of water at the end of the table. Guests who don't drink notice. A drink that took the same thought as everything else on the menu tells them they were expected.
A planned mocktail also helps the host. You can make the syrups and juice a day ahead, mix one pitcher before guests arrive, and spend the party talking to people instead of guessing at a recipe. A good one appeals to everyone in the room, including people who also drink.
A simple plan for any event
- Pick one signature drink and one simple backup, such as flavored sparkling water. Two choices are plenty for most home events.
- Make syrups one to three days ahead and keep them cold in clean, covered jars.
- Squeeze or open juice the day of the event, and keep it in the fridge until you mix.
- Mix the still ingredients in a pitcher and chill them. Add soda or anything sparkling only when you pour.
- Buy or make more ice than you think you need, and keep the ice for drinks apart from ice that chills bottles.
- Label each drink with its name and main ingredients so guests with allergies can choose quickly.
Safety first with fresh juice. Juice you squeeze yourself is unpasteurized. Keep it cold and serve it the same day. The food safety page covers what US food-safety agencies advise and where to read the current guidance.
Common questions
Is a mocktail just juice?
Juice is often part of it, but a mocktail is built like any mixed drink. It balances sweetness with something sour or bitter, adds dilution from ice or soda, and finishes with a garnish. That balance is what makes it taste finished.
Do you sell drinks, kits or syrups?
No. This site shares ideas and how-to guides only. We don't sell anything, take event bookings or recommend brands. See the about page for more.
Are these drinks good for kids?
Most of them work for children's parties if you go lighter on bitter or sour ingredients. Be aware that agencies advise extra care with unpasteurized juice for young children. The food safety page has the details and links.