There's nothing like kicking back and having a drink fresh juice. Herbal mocktails are the perfect drink for anyone avoiding (or cutting down on) alcohol. There are so many delicious options and because they are alcohol free, even the kids can have theirs.
These drink recipes feature fruity, herbal flavors that not only taste great, but are great for you! Serve cold as a refreshing summer drink or enjoy all year round. They also make a fancy addition to a weekend brunch!
What is a Mocktail?
You may have already heard of them, but in case you haven't, mocktails are non-alcoholic cocktails. So instead of slipping some vodka or tequila into a bubbly drink, we're using fruit juices and seltzer mineral water. You'll find all kinds of recipes online for everything from a mojito mocktail to a virgin pina colada.
These soft drinks can be made with all kinds of flavor combinations. They usually consist of simple syrup (like grenadine), seltzer or club soda, fruit, and sometimes herbs. Here are some other ingredients to try in your homemade mocktail.
- Sweeteners such as raw honey, maple syrup or stevia
- Fruit juices such as watermelon, pomegranate, apple juice or pineapple juice
- Shrubs made with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar and herbs
- Bitter plant
- A little spice from ginger or jalapeno peppers
A herbal infusion
There are so many ways to make healthy and aromatic drinks and herbs are one way to really boost the health benefits. Herbal bitters aid in digestion and may improve gut health. You can make your own bitter herbal tincture and add some to your mocktail to balance out the sweet taste. It makes a perfect after-dinner digestive tonic!
Here are the herbs I used in the recipes below and why they are so amazing.
- Ginger – Slightly spicy, ginger is an excellent digestive herb. It is warming, increases circulation and reduces inflammation. It is also antiviral, helps relieve menstrual cramps and helps with nausea.
- Basil – While basil tastes great in a Caprese salad, it also has some pretty tasty health benefits! Basil reduces inflammation, protects the liver and blood vessels, and strengthens the immune system. Studies have also shown that it has anti-cancer and anti-diabetic benefits.
- Hibiscus – Rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, hibiscus has a sour and fruity aroma. It tones and cools irritated tissues, helps strengthen the immune system and move stuck mucus. It helps with inflammation in areas such as the liver, stomach, urinary tract and uterus.
- lemon – Antibacterial, antifungal, reduces inflammation and helps the body have a healthy response to fever. It also has a wonderful lemon scent!
- nettles – Nettle is a nutrient-dense energy with many minerals. You'll find vitamins A, C, E and K, riboflavin, thiamin and a host of minerals. It helps in nourishing and energizing the body.
Add a garnish
What's a nice drink without some garnish? I like to use lime or lemon slices to garnish the glass. You can also use fresh blueberries, other berries or pieces of fruit. Mint leaves also add a nice touch to these mocktail recipes.
Blueberry Ginger Mocktail
Fruity and tart blueberries combine with spicy ginger in this fizzy mocktail.
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Add the blueberries and ginger to the water and heat in a saucepan until boiling.
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Turn off the heat and let it cook with the lid on for 10-15 minutes.
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Strain and mix with honey.
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Allow to cool completely.
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Add sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition facts
Blueberry Ginger Mocktail
Amount per serving (6 ounces)
Calories 42
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.024 g0%
Unsaturated fat 0.002 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.001 g
Sodium 12 mg1%
potassium 24 mg1%
Carbohydrates 12 g4%
Fiber 0.6 g3%
Sugar 12 g13%
Protein 0.12 g0%
Vitamin A 12 IU0%
Vitamin C 2.4 mg3%
Calcium 6 mg1%
Iron 0.06 mg0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
If you don't want to serve it right away, store the cranberry ginger honey infusion in the refrigerator until you're ready to mix it with the sparkling water.
Basil citrus cocktail
The delicious basil pairs beautifully with the sweet citrus. Make this recipe with orange, tangerine, or even grapefruit.
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Use your hands to press the basil until its juices are released.
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Add the basil, orange zest and hot water to the jar. You don't want the water boiling, but hot enough to draw out the flavors from the fresh ingredients.
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Cover the jar with a lid and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes or until cool.
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Strain and add the orange juice.
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Allow the mixture to cool completely in the refrigerator and mix with sparkling mineral water immediately before serving.
Nutrition facts
Basil citrus cocktail
Amount per serving (6 ounces)
Calories 30
Calories from fat 1
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.06 g0%
Saturated fat 0.012 g0%
Unsaturated fat 0.018 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.018 g
Sodium 1 mg0%
potassium 120 mg3%
Carbohydrates 6 g2%
Fiber 1.8 g8%
Sugar 6 g7%
Protein 0.6 g1%
Vitamin A 192 IU4%
Vitamin C 36 mg44%
Calcium 30 mg3%
Iron 0.06 mg0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Instead of orange, try grapefruit, tangerine or clementine.
Hibiscus Lime Mocktail
High in vitamin C, hibiscus and lime add to the fruity flavor of this drink.
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Bring the water to a boil on the stove. Add the hibiscus, lemon and lemon zest, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
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Strain and add lemon juice and honey.
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Cool completely and mix with sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition facts
Hibiscus Lime Mocktail
Amount per serving (6 ounces)
Calories 72
Calories from fat 1
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.06 g0%
Saturated fat 0.006 g0%
Unsaturated fat 0.018 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.006 g
Sodium 12 mg1%
potassium 48 mg1%
Carbohydrates 36 g12%
Fiber 0.12 g1%
Sugar 18 g20%
Protein 0.6 g1%
Vitamin A 30 IU1%
Vitamin C 12 mg15%
Calcium 18 mg2%
Iron 0.6 mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
If you like your drink really sour, then reduce the honey to 1 tablespoon.
More drink recipes to try
Here are some alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to drink.
Have you ever made your own mocktails before? What are your favorite ingredients to use?
