I know we’ve shared loads of deliciously boozy cocktail recipes here on the blog. But with more and more people becoming sober curious, I felt like it was time to share some mocktail recipes! Especially with so many holidays and opportunities for entertaining just around the corner. So I’m whipped up 5 tasty mocktails that are inspired by each upcoming holiday: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years Eve. I hope you enjoy them!
5 Festive Mocktail Recipes Perfect for Entertaining This Holiday Season
After writing this post, I realized how long it was! To make it easier for you to peruse, here’s a breakdown of each mocktail recipe. Simply click on the link and it will take you directly to the recipe.
- Halloween: Hot Spiced Apple Cider with Cloves and Oranges
- Thanksgiving: Pear Sparklers with Fresh Rosemary
- Hanukkah: Cinnamon Chai Tea Latte Mocktail
- Christmas: Cranberry Vanilla Bean Virgin Cosmopolitan
- New Years: Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Cider Punch
Halloween Mocktail: Hot Spiced Apple Cider with Cloves and Oranges
As usual with Halloween, I have the feeling most of us pass out candy and hang out with friends. Because of that, this spiced cider recipe is perfect. It’s also served hot, making it a great way to keep your hands warm on a chilly fall evening!
Hot Spiced Apple Cider with Cloves and Oranges
Ingredients
- 3 quarts apple cider
- 4 oranges
- 36 cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
Instructions
- Wash oranges, then stick whole gloves into them, spacing cloves out evenly around each orange.
- Place oranges into a large pot, pour in the apple cider, and set over low heat. Add cinnamon sticks and star anise pods, then bring to a simmer.
- Once the mixture is simmering, serve. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange peel. Keep warm over low heat to refill glasses as needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Thanksgiving Mocktail: Pear Sparklers with Fresh Rosemary
I love a good Thanksgiving celebration because it’s a holiday revolving around food, my first true love. But it’s also a great time to gather friends and family, including those who have food sensitivities. That’s why I always include at least one nonalcoholic beverage option for guests! This mocktail recipe is truly lovely and pairs well with turkey, side dishes, and dessert!
Pear Sparklers with Fresh Rosemary
Ingredients
- 2 cups pear juice
- 5 cups sparkling mineral water plain
- 1 Anjou pear thinly sliced for garnish
- 8 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Place ice cubes in tall glasses and fill 1/4 of the way up with pear juice.
- Top with sparkling mineral water and stir until fully combined.
- Garnish with thinly sliced pear and a spring of fresh rosemary and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Hanukkah Mocktail: Cinnamon Chai Tea Latte Mocktail
Even though I don’t personally celebrate Hanukkah, many of my closest friends do! Because of that, I mayyy have gotten outside consultation on what flavors would best represent Hanukkah. The result is this delicious warm mocktail that is reminiscent of rugelach!
Cinnamon Chai Tea Latte Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups water
- milk or milk alternative to taste
- brown sugar to taste
- whipped topping
- freshly ground nutmeg to garnish
- cinnamon sticks to garnish
Instructions
- In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine water, spices, and teabags. Bring to a simmer, then pour into heat-safe glasses without the tea bags.
- Stir in brown sugar, milk or milk alternative until the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Top with whipped topping, a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg, and a cinnamon stick, then serve hot.
Nutrition
Christmas Mocktail: Cranberry Vanilla Bean Virgin Cosmopolitan
If there’s one flavor that immediately makes me think of Christmas, it’s cranberries! This traditional holiday ingredient is a perfectly tart ingredient for mocktails. I made this recipe even more festive by adding a touch of freshly made vanilla bean simple syrup. Think of this non-alcoholic drink as a modern twist on the classic Cosmopolitan… but without the booze.
Cranberry Vanilla Bean Virgin Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 vanilla bean pod split
Virgin Cosmopolitan
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- sparkling mineral water
- 1 lime for garnish
Instructions
Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
- Using a paring knife, split the vanilla bean down the middle.
- Combine water, sugar, and vanilla bean halves into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and remove from heat. Let cool for at least an hour before using.
Virgin Cosmopolitan
- Fill half of a cocktail shaker with ice, then add cranberry juice, orange juice, lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of the cooled vanilla bean simple syrup.
- Cover with the lid and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. Strain into martini glasses about an inch from the top.
- Top each glass with a splash of sparkling mineral water and garnish with a lime twist.
Notes
Nutrition
New Years Eve Mocktail: Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Cider Punch
Hosting a New Years party at home is the best time to whip out this batch mocktail recipe because it’s sure to be a hit and is so easy to make… meaning you can enjoy spending time with your guests instead of playing bartender!
Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Cider Punch
Ingredients
- 1 bottle sparkling cider non-alcoholic
- 4 cups grapefruit juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup lime juice
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Combine sparkling cider and juices in the bowl, leaving room for the ice ring so it doesn't overflow. Gently stir in the sugar, stirring until fully dissolved.
- Carefully at the ice ring right before you're ready to serve the punch.
Notes
Nutrition
So what do you think of these holiday mocktail recipes?? And do you want me to share more mocktails in the future? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
You might also enjoy:
My Best Tips for Hosting a Low Waste Holiday Party
As I plan our holiday dinner parties, I have been brainstorming ways to reduce the environmental impact of playing hostess. I hope these tips help you to be more aware while hosting — all without impacting the aesthetic and atmosphere of your party.
How to Make the Ultimate Fall Inspired Grazing Board
Fall has always been the true gateway to the holiday season! With gatherings starting to pick up a bit more and more, it felt like the right time to share some tips and tricks for constructing the ultimate grazing board.
