Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and whether you plan on spending the holiday with your kiddos, the family, your significant other, or your besties, we can all agree that this is certainly a day that calls for a fruity drink. And since a lot of people prefer mocktails over cocktails we thought we would put together a list of a few of our favorites we know you’ll love. Let’s get started!
Why Mocktails?
There are a lot of reasons we’re seeing a trend in people ordering mocktails versus cocktails. One, they’re cheaper. Because there is no alcohol being used these drinks are cheaper to make at home and cheaper to order when you’re out on the town. Another reason? They taste good. Simple as that. Mocktails typically include fresh fruit or fruit juice and a clear soda base so the flavor is on point. And the last major reason? Everyone can enjoy a mocktail. Whether you’re under the age of 21, don’t like the taste of alcohol, or maybe you’re just trying to steer clear of the stuff, you’re bound to enjoy a fruity mocktail.
Mocktail Recipes
Okay, enough of the small talk, let’s get to the recipes.
Grapefruit + Rosemary
This drink is pretty in pink, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day. If you’re a lover of both grapefruit and aromatics, you’ve got to try this. What we love most about this recipe is that you make your own grapefruit juice and rosemary simple syrup meaning you taste the love in every sip. Check out this recipe from Place Of My Taste.
Ingredients
- Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 sprigs of rosemary
Mocktail per 4 glasses:
- 2 cups fresh pink grapefruit juice
- 1/4 cup of the rosemary simple syrup
- 4 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- Rosemary Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan on the stove, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar over medium heat. Dissolve the sugar for about 5 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil or crystals will form. Once the sugar has dissolved, pour the simple syrup into a heat-safe container. Add 3 sprigs of rosemary and let steep for at least one hour. The syrup will keep in the refrigerator for ten days.
- Mocktail per glass: Add 1/2 cup fresh pink grapefruit into a serving glass. Add 1 Tablespoon (1/2 oz) of rosemary simple syrup. Stir. Fill the remainder of the glass with sparkling water (about 1 cup)
- Garnish with rosemary sprig
- Served chilled
Sparkling Cranberry Punch
This mocktail is sweet, sour, and bubbly. Need we say more? Pro-tip: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and thank us later. Check out this recipe from Taste and Tell Blog.
Ingredients
- 2 quarts cranberry juice cocktail
- 1-quart sparkling water
- 1 6–oz can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, (thawed)
Instructions
In a large container, combine the cranberry juice cocktail, the sparkling water, and the thawed pink lemonade concentrated. Stir and serve.
The Princess Nojito
We love a good, crisp, refreshing Mojito so when we saw a fruity mocktail version, we knew we had to try it. Check out this recipe from Taste and Tell Blog.
Ingredients
- 16–20 mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh grapefruit juice
- 6 tablespoons simple syrup*
- ice
- club soda
- lime, lemon and grapefruit wedges, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place half of the mint leaves in the bottom of 2 glasses.
- In a small glass, combine the lime juice, lemon juice, and grapefruit juice. Pour half of the mixture into each of the glasses with the mint. With a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, crush the mint to release the mint oils. Pour 3 tablespoons of simple syrup into each glass.
- Add a couple handfuls of ice to each glass, then top off with club soda. Mix, taste, and add more simple syrup if it’s not sweet enough for you. Serve topped with lime, lemon and/or grapefruit wedges.