Why You Will Love These

Party drinks need to do three things: batch easily, look good, and taste like someone cared. These ten mocktails hit all three. Every recipe scales to 10-20 servings, can be mostly prepped ahead, and gets the “wait, this doesn’t have alcohol?” reaction from guests.

The List

1. Sparkling Strawberry Punch (The Universal Crowd-Pleaser)

In a punch bowl, combine 3 cups strawberry puree (blend and strain 1 pound strawberries), 1/3 cup honey dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water, juice of 3 lemons, and 3 bottles of sparkling water. Float sliced strawberries and lemon wheels. Serves 15-20. Add the sparkling water when guests arrive.

2. Cucumber Elderflower Pitcher

Muddle 1 sliced cucumber in a pitcher. Add 1/2 cup elderflower cordial, juice of 2 limes, ice, and 1 liter of sparkling water. Stir gently. This is the sophisticated option for dinner parties and smaller gatherings. See our full cucumber elderflower spritz recipe.

3. Hibiscus Sangria

Brew 4 cups strong hibiscus tea, sweeten with 3 tablespoons honey, and chill overnight. Add sliced oranges, apples, and berries. Top with sparkling water before serving. This looks identical to red wine sangria and nobody can tell the difference at first sip.

4. Watermelon Margarita Mocktail

Blend 4 cups seedless watermelon with juice of 4 limes and 2 tablespoons honey. Rim glasses with lime and salt (use a plate of coarse salt). Pour over ice. This is the summer party staple.

5. Ginger Beer Moscow Mule

Fill copper mugs (or any glass) with ice. Add juice of half a lime and top with homemade ginger beer. The ginger beer does all the heavy lifting. This is the mocktail for people who think mocktails are too sweet.

6. Peach Sweet Tea Punch

Brew 6 cups strong black tea, sweeten with 1/4 cup honey while warm, and chill. Blend 3 ripe peaches and stir the puree in. Serve over ice in a big pitcher. Southern-style, crowd-friendly, and impossible to mess up.

7. Berry Lavender Lemonade

Make a large batch of lemonade. Add 3 tablespoons lavender simple syrup and 1 cup of muddled mixed berries. Strain into a pitcher. The purple-pink color is stunning in a clear pitcher.

8. Tropical Hurricane

Mix equal parts passion fruit juice, orange juice, and pineapple juice with a splash of grenadine. Serve over crushed ice in tall glasses. This is the Mardi Gras classic, alcohol-free. Add paper umbrellas.

9. Apple Cider Bourbon Mocktail

Combine 4 cups apple cider with 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and a few dashes of angostura bitters. Serve over ice in rocks glasses. The bitters and vanilla create that “is there bourbon in this?” depth. Perfect for fall events.

10. Raspberry Shrub Spritz

Add 3 tablespoons raspberry shrub concentrate to each glass over ice. Top with sparkling water. The shrub’s vinegar tang makes this taste complex and adult. Batch the shrub a week ahead and just assemble at the party.

How to Set Up a Party Mocktail Bar

For 15-20 guests (3-hour party):

Layout:

1. Punch bowl in the center (self-serve)
2. Two pitchers flanking it
3. Glasses, ice bucket, and garnishes on the side
4. Recipe cards so guests know what they’re drinking

Make Ahead Timeline

2 days before: Make shrub concentrate, lavender syrup, brew hibiscus tea 1 day before: Make lemonade base, fruit purees, sweet tea. Chill everything. Morning of: Slice all garnishes, prep the punch bowl (minus sparkling water) 1 hour before guests: Add sparkling water, fill pitchers, set out ice