best mocktails

How to Make a Tasty Mocktail

how to make a tasty mocktail the three drinkers

Mocktails are having a moment, and for good reason—they offer all the fun and flavour of a cocktail without the alcohol. Whether you're hosting a party which everyone feels part of, looking to cut back on drinking, or just want a refreshing but elevated beverage, learning to craft a delicious mocktail is a skill worth mastering.

The laziest mocktails will simply replace the alcoholic element with water or be little more than sparkling juices. But we need to remember that when you remove the alcohol, you’re removing layers and depth of expert distillation with it – these need to be replaced. With a few simple tips, you can turn a basic non-alcoholic drink into something special, ensuring it’s as enjoyable as any cocktail. Let’s dive into the essentials of making a truly tasty mocktail.

Use Fresh Ingredients

The foundation of any great mocktail is fresh, high-quality ingredients. Fresh fruits, like citrus, berries, and tropical varieties, add vibrant flavour and natural sweetness to your drink. Freshly squeezed juices are far superior to store-bought ones, bringing a crisp, refreshing taste that elevates your mocktail. Herbs like mint, basil, and rosemary add aromatic complexity, while fresh ginger or jalapeño can provide a spicy kick. By prioritizing fresh ingredients, you ensure that every sip of your mocktail is bursting with life and flavour.

Balance Your Flavours

how to make a tasty mocktail the three drinkers

A mocktail should be as complex and balanced as any good cocktail, but when the spirit isn’t there to be the star, it can be difficult. This means carefully balancing sweet, sour, and sometimes even bitter elements to create a drink that delights the palate. Too much sweetness can be cloying, while too much acidity can be overwhelming. Both are easy traps to fall into when it comes to popular mocktail ingredients like syrups and citrus.

Quality alcoholic drinks have a lot going on, so we need to impart those missing flavours wherever possible. Sweetness is a perfect vehicle to do that because although simple syrups work well, infusing your own is so simple – that way you can easily accompany your sugar with honey, or maple, or berries, or mint, or whatever you wish! Check out our guide here.

Play around with different ratios until you find a mix that works for you—maybe it’s a splash of lemon juice to counteract sweetness, or a dash of bitters to add depth; Angostura and Peychaud’s should be cupboard mainstays. Also don’t be afraid to use salt as it’s perfect for balancing out citrus and sweetness and providing a subtle savoury nod which is needed to round off bright, acid-driven mixes. Remember, the goal is to create a well-rounded drink that keeps you coming back for more.

One other thing to remember is dilution. Played off against the boozy intensity of most cocktails, dilution isn’t as much of a problem, but with no intense spirit in a mocktail, it runs the risk of becoming washed out. You still need ice however, but just remember to use a bit less than you normally would, or to use bigger ice cubes so you concoction isn’t overdiluted by the time it’s melted.

Incorporate Texture

Texture is an often-overlooked element of mocktail making, but it’s crucial for creating an interesting and satisfying drink. Consider adding different textural elements like sparkling water, tonic, ginger beer or sparkling tea for effervescence, crushed ice for a frosty feel, or a creamy component like coconut milk for richness. Even something as simple as muddling herbs or fruit can add a tactile element that enhances the drinking experience. A great mocktail isn’t just about taste—it’s about how it feels in your mouth, so don’t be afraid to get creative with texture. One of the biggest mistakes mocktail-makers-make is forgetting how much water is in alcoholic drinks – just adding a splash of water in replacement of the missing spirit helps with mouthfeel.

One thing you can still use from the world of cocktails is egg white, or aquafaba for vegans. It delivers that lovely viscous foam and silky texture that really sets a mocktail apart from being a simple juice.

Don’t Skimp on Presentation

how to make a tasty mocktail the three drinkers

We drink with our eyes first, so presentation matters just as much as flavour when it comes to mocktails. Use beautiful glassware to make the drink feel special—think tall glasses for layered drinks or coupe glasses for a more elegant feel. Garnishes like citrus twists, fresh herbs, or edible flowers can add colour and visual interest, making the mocktail feel more like an occasion. Even the type of ice you use can make a difference—large, clear cubes or crushed ice can change the entire look of the drink. A well-presented mocktail is always more inviting and sets you up for an experience, not just a drink.

Experiment with Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices can transform a simple mocktail into something truly extraordinary. Fresh herbs like mint, basil, or thyme add a fragrant, aromatic quality that makes the drink more complex. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger can add warmth and depth, giving the mocktail a more sophisticated flavour profile. All of these regularly come through in alcoholic drinks, so we’re simply putting them back in – just without the booze. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, experimenting with different combinations can lead to exciting, unexpected results. The key is to use these elements sparingly, so they enhance rather than overpower the drink.

Quality Over Quantity with Mixers

When it comes to mixers, quality is key. Opt for high-quality tonic water, ginger beer, or other mixers that complement your ingredients rather than overshadow them. These can add layers of flavour to your mocktail, making it taste more refined and polished. Avoid overly sweet or artificial-tasting mixers, as they can throw off the balance of your drink. Sometimes, less is more—a well-chosen mixer can elevate your mocktail from ordinary to extraordinary with just a splash. Remember! These are now the stars of your show, and they can’t hide behind a quality rum or gin anymore.

A Standard Mocktail Recipe

Clearly there is no one size fits all mocktail recipe, and if you incorporate No-Lo alternatives this won’t apply, but there is a basic structure that bartenders build from. With so many nuances involved in ingredient choice, quality and personal preference, it’s difficult to give exact measurements but generally speaking, this is a good place to start from:

15ml Syrup (could be simple syrup, honey, agave syrup, homemade fruit syrup, No-Lo liqueur or even dissolved sugar)
30ml Citrus
(most likely this will be lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit, and it should always be freshly squeezed if possible)
Around 75
ml Water (this could be still, sparkling water, tonic, flavoured tonic or even tea)
Dashes of bitters (Angostura and Peychaud’s offer so much depth, but experiment with other bitters too)
Lastly, make a full effort with ice, glassware and garnish for the full, elevated mocktail experience.

Making a tasty mocktail is all about creativity, balance, and attention to detail. By using fresh ingredients, balancing flavours, incorporating texture, paying attention to presentation, experimenting with herbs and spices, and choosing quality mixers, you can craft mocktails that are just as enjoyable as their alcoholic counterparts – and even more so, if you include the morning!

Of course, with the flourishing world of alcohol-free alternatives available to us, some mocktails can be as simple as substituting these in for the boozy version. For our favourite No-Lo Alternatives, go here. Or for some Mocktail Recipes to get you started, click here.

8 Delicious Winter Mocktails

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

It’s no secret that some mocktails can be a little underwhelming, but these 8 winter recipes are not about compromise – they’re bold, delicious, and completely comforting on a cold winter’s night.

Forget any hangover or sluggish feeling, because these seasonal mocktails get you in the festive spirit and leave you rejuvenated. They’re pretty simple to make, wonderfully refreshing and crucially, they leave you with that special feeling a cocktail should always come with.

We keep up to date with the latest and greatest in the world of No-Low drinks, and whilst there are recipes below that don’t use alternatives, some do, so if you haven’t found your No-Lo go-to just yet, check here and here!

Hot Spiced Apple and Ginger Ale

hot spiced apple 8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

Get that hob on for this soul-soothing mix of zest, warmth, sweet apple, and winter spices. The juice to cider ratio is down to personal preference and the sweetness of your cider, but using both does round the mix off nicely.

Ingredients (for a jug)
250ml apple juice
150ml no-lo apple cider
1 large cinnamon stick
3 cloves
2 star anise
400ml ginger ale
Apple wedges rolled in sugar (optional garnish)

Method
As with any hot cocktail, it’s about heating gradually and stirring constantly. Slowly add everything except the ginger ale, and heat until just before a simmer. Turn the heat down just a smidge for 5 minutes, and then off all together. Let everything infuse and add your ginger ale, before serving up.

Cranberry Mojito

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

A festive makeover for a cocktail classic, the sweetness comes from a beautifully seasonal cranberry syrup (1:1:1 ratio of water, sugar, and cranberries, heated and strained). It’s as fresh as a winter walk and as vibrant as a crackling fire. Using a sugar cane based no-lo really makes this mix, but most no-lo gins would also work, and even just sticking with soda water is refreshing, but you may want to include orange juice then!

Ingredients
60ml white rum alternative (like Lyre’s White Cane Spirit)
25ml cranberry syrup
Soda water to top up
Juice of 1 lime
Small handful of muddled mint
Mint leaves and fresh cranberries (optional garnish)

Method
Muddle the mint with the lime juice and pour over cranberry syrup and your white rum alternative. Strain, and top up with soda water before making it pretty with a sprig of mint and a few fresh berries.

Cranberry and Pomegranate Punch

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

This punch walks the tightrope between tart and sweet perfectly, brimming with fruity goodness.  For extra sweetness, whip yourself up a cranberry syrup (recipe above). The sparkling water gives it a lovely, light fizz, and if you’ve got a no-lo vodka you like, add that in. So reinvigorating.

Ingredients (for a jug)
350ml pomegranate juice
70ml cranberry syrup
300ml cranberry juice
400ml sparkling water
2tbsp grenadine
10 mint leaves
4 lime wedges
100ml no-lo vodka (optional)
fresh cranberries and lime (garnish)

Method
For stronger mint taste, muddle at the bottom of the jug first. With generous helpings of ice, stir everything, except the sparkling water, together in a punch bowl or jug. Top your mix up with that, before scattering some cranberries and lime wedges to finish.

Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

It doesn’t get much more wintery than eggnog, and the great thing about is that so many spirits work in it. Some people use brandy, others bourbon, rum, Cognac... it goes on, and the same therefore goes for no-lows! It’s silky smooth, decadent, and gorgeously rich, especially once you’ve added your chosen spirit - think dark, rich fruits, and warming spices.

Ingredients (for 4)
120ml no-low spirit (like Lyre’s American Malt, Crossip ‘Dandy Smoke, or Fluére Spiced Cane)
whipped cream (optional garnish)
grated nutmeg (optional garnish)
Eggnog:
1 tsp vanilla essence
3 eggs
120ml double cream
100ml whole milk
100ml condensed milk
50g caster sugar

Method
For the eggnog, whisk your eggs with vanilla essence and caster sugar until it goes creamy. Slowly whisk in the milk, in 25ml intervals, and repeat with condensed milk. Repeat with the cream. Cover and refrigerate for over 2 hours. If you find that the mixture is too thick after cooling, add milk and blend. When ready, pour into your glasses or mugs and slowly stir in your spirit. Finish with grated nutmeg, perhaps cinnamon, and whipped cream if you want to go all out. What a treat.

Minty White Russian

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

This winter-filled peppermint White Russian works so well, bringing that indulgent coffee cream up front, and the refreshing herbaceous minty taste behind. The coffee hits you with that energy boost we all need now and again, but there’s a lot in here so a little relaxing CBD balances the effect out nicely, creating more of the drinking experience you get from alcohol.

Ingredients
30ml chilled coffee
30ml non-alcoholic coffee liqueur (like Lyre’s Coffee Originale)
50ml heavy cream
30ml milk
15ml peppermint syrup
dash of CBD bitters (optional) (like OTO)

Method
Peppermint syrup is super easy to make. You can use essence, or leaves, but the easiest way is to mix peppermint tea with sugar syrup (water and sugar) in a 1:1 to split on the hob. Then shake everything with ice until it’s chilled, and strain over fresh ice.  

Apple Pie Sangria Mocktail

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

Sangria ain’t just for summer, not with a few adaptations anyway. Simpler than it first appears, this a really nicely balanced mocktail that builds and builds on a white wine spritzer. Sweet apple and sour lemon play off your No-Lo wine, all underlined with vanilla syrup as well as honey and cinnamon on the rim is so tasty.

Ingredients (for jug)
40ml wine alternative (preferably white, like Chardonnay)
40ml apple juice
20ml lemon juice
handful of cranberries
dash of vanilla syrup
honey and cinnamon sugar (for rim)
apple slice (garnish)

Method
A simple syrup is always heating equal parts sugar and water, and simply adding vanilla pods here is enough to make your vanilla syrup with great natural flavour (you could use vanilla essence if you really want). Shake ice, the juices, the No-Lo wine, and this syrup until thoroughly cold and mixed. Roll the rim of your glass in honey and then cinnamon sugar so it’s evenly distributed all the way round. Strain carefully, especially with fresh juice, and pour, finishing with an apple slice.

Thyme Clementine

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

This is one normally mixed with vodka and by all means, you can use a No Lo vodka but it’s just as enjoyable without. Sweet and herby, you’re getting antimicrobial benefits from the fresh thyme and buckets of vitamin C from the clementines. It feels festive, light and refreshing, and makes you feel great too! Win win.

Ingredients
1tbsp of chopped fresh tyme
80ml boiling water
3 juiced clementines
thyme sprigs and clementine-peel (garnish) 

Method
Pour boiling water of thyme and let it steep for 20 minutes. Then strain and refrigerate. In the meantime, get juicing those clementines and straining into a glorious juice. Don’t forget the seeds! Lastly, combine the two by pouring int chilled glasses.

Tom Collins Mocktail

8 delicious winter mocktails the three drinkers

With their diverse botanicals, gins are some of the best and most popular non-alcoholic spirits. A lot of cocktails and mocktails drown them out, but something as simple and clean as the Tom Collins lets them shine. Lemon juice adds the zip, a simple dash of syrup sweetens proceedings, and the star of the show is your No-Lo gin.

Ingredients
60ml gin alternative (like Sea Arch or New London Light)
20ml simple syrup
25ml lemon juice (ideally fresh)
top up with soda water
lemon slice (optional garnish)

Method
Shakers at the ready. Throw everything in except the soda then pour the mixture over a tall glass with ice. Top up with soda water to your hearts content and voila.

If you need ideas for specific, No-Lo drinks then check the links in the introduction! Also, non-alcoholic creations are absolutely flourishing right now, so a lot of them are very much their own thing and not looking to duplicate any boozy version – so if the profile sounds and tastes right, experiment with it in mocktails!