5 Easy Summer Mocktail Recipes

Oh, June! The month when I can finally pack away my space heater and break out the flip-flops. Summer seems to take forever to get here in Colorado and then it is gone in a flash! For many of us, summertime was also always accompanied by drinking time. Whether it was beers and barbeque or fruity drinks with umbrellas and salty rims – alcohol was part of the makeup. You can still indulge this summer even though you’re alcohol-free. Whether it’s partaking in the ever-expanding selection of alcohol-free beers on the market or crafting your own summer mocktail recipes – welcome June without judgment, fear, or any backslides. We’re here to help you with drink suggestions, food pairings, and resources so you can summer strong and stay alcohol-free!

Let’s Get Fizzical: Alcohol-Free Options for Every Occasion

The good news is you don’t have to miss out on the fun! The alcohol-free beverage market is booming with innovative and delicious options. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Non-Alcoholic Beers: Athletic Brewing Company, Heineken 0.0, Guinness 0.0 offer a variety of styles and flavors to satisfy every beer lover. Think crisp lagers, refreshing IPAs, and smooth dark stouts – all without the buzz.
• Alcohol-Free Wine: Fre Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Brut, Surely Sparkling White, and Noughty Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay are just a few of the many fantastic options available. Enjoy the taste and social aspects of wine without the alcohol content.
• Alcohol-Free Spirits: Seedlip Spice 94, Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative, and Monday Gin Alternative offer complex flavors that can be brewed into sophisticated mocktails. These spirit alternatives are perfect for those who miss the taste and experience of a classic cocktail.

Beyond the Bottle: Support and Resources for Your Alcohol-Free Journey

For additional support and inspiration, check out the This Naked Mind Companion App. This fantastic resource offers podcasts, articles, drink recipes, a supportive community to help you stay on track, and so much more. Whether you’re looking for encouragement or just some new mocktail ideas, this app has everything you need to thrive alcohol-free.

Now, let’s get mixing! Here are five delicious summer mocktail recipes to quench your thirst and tantalize your taste buds.

Cool as a Cucumber

June is National Cucumber Month, and this refreshing mocktail is the perfect way to celebrate! If you ever justified a Bloody Mary as being a salad in a glass, you can now sip on this invigorating and good-for-you concoction guilt-free instead! The cool, crisp cucumber pairs beautifully with a touch of heat from the jalape?o for a kick. If you’re one of those people who finds cilantro tastes soapy, try using parsley, Thai basil, or dill instead!

Ingredients:

• 2 English cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, sliced (seeds and membrane removed for a milder drink)
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup agave nectar (or simple syrup)
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedges and cilantro sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, muddle the cucumber, jalapeno, lime juice, and cilantro. Muddling releases the flavors and essential oils from the ingredients, creating a more intense and delicious drink.
2. Stir in the agave nectar and add ice.
3. Top with sparkling water and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs.

Food Pairings:

To start your palate tingling, offer a cool and refreshing amuse bouche like gazpacho shooters. For your salad, keep it light and flavorful with a watermelon and feta salad drizzled with a balsamic glaze. Finally, complement the savory and spicy notes of the mocktail with a selection of tapas like grilled shrimp skewers with chimichurri sauce or mini tostadas topped with guacamole and crumbled cotija cheese.

Mango Mambo

Run away to the tropics with this vibrant and delicious frozen mocktail. The sweet and tangy mango blends perfectly with the creamy coconut milk for a taste of paradise. Summertime screams for frozen drinks and fun. This summer mocktail recipe delivers on all those accounts. Pro-tip – you can control the texture of your drink by omitting the ice and using frozen mango chunks instead!

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup coconut milk (light or full-fat)
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (or agave nectar)Simple syrup is a bartender’s staple, but you can easily make your own at home! Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heat over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Let cool before using.
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Lime wedges and mango slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the mango, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut milk, and simple syrup.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the consistency to your preference by adding more or less ice.
3. Pour into chilled glasses and garnish with lime wedges and mango slices.

Food Pairings:

To bring out the best flavors of the sweet and creamy Mango Mambo, start with salty, crispy chips and guacamole for a crunchy, cool contrast. For your main course, pair it with a grilled flank steak drizzled with a sweet and tangy citrus marinade to echo the tropical flavors. Finally, end the meal on a high note with a light and fluffy coconut cream pie – the creamy textures and coconut flavors match up with the mango magnificently!

Disco Tea Delight

June is National Iced Tea Month, and that’s a drink worth celebrating. We’ve all had Southern Sweet Tea, Arnold Palmers, and Boba Teas, but have you ever had a Disco Tea? This summer mocktail is almost too fun to drink! The layers of colors create an eye-catching and beautiful beverage, perfect for impressing guests at all of your summer gatherings!

Ingredients (Sweetened Version):

• 1 cup strong brewed Thai tea (see brewing instructions below)
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (see instructions below)
• Club soda
• Ice cubes
• Butterfly pea flower tea (optional, for vibrant blue color)
• Fresh mint sprigs and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions (Sweetened Version):

1. Brew Strong Thai Tea: Combine 2 strong black tea bags (like Ceylon or Assam) with 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in 1/4 cup sugar or the equivalent amount of your preferred sweetener (honey, agave nectar) until dissolved. Let cool completely.
2. Layer the Mocktail: In a tall glass filled with ice cubes, carefully pour the cooled Thai tea over the ice. This will create the bottom red layer.
3. Lime Layer: In a separate small jug, mix the lime juice and simple syrup. Gently pour this mixture on top of the Thai tea, creating a distinct lime green layer.
4. Optional Blue Layer: If using butterfly pea flower tea for a vibrant blue top layer, steep 1 tablespoon of dried butterfly pea flowers in 1/4 cup hot water for 5 minutes. Strain the blue liquid and let it cool completely. Gently pour the blue tea on top of the lime layer.
5. Top with Fizz: Slowly top the mocktail with club soda, creating a beautiful fizzy finish.
6. Garnish: Add a fresh mint sprig and a lime wedge for a finishing touch.

Instructions (Unsweetened Version):

Follow steps 1-4 from the sweetened version, omitting the simple syrup in both the Thai tea and lime mixture. Opt for a natural sweetener like a squeeze of fresh honey or a few stevia drops in the lime juice if desired. Top with club soda and garnish with mint and lime.

Food Pairings:

For a fun finger food pairing with your Disco Tea Delight, try mini skewers with caprese salad ingredients – cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil drizzled with olive oil. As a main course, keep things light and colorful with a grilled citrus chicken salad with a bed of mixed greens, mandarin oranges, and a poppyseed dressing. And for a refreshing and vibrant dessert that echoes the mocktail, top a scoop of vanilla ice cream with sliced kiwi, strawberries, and a drizzle of the leftover tea.

Pineapple Pina Colada

One sip of this delightful pineapple paradise and you’ll be wondering why you ever thought adding rum to a tasty drink like this could make it better. This summer mocktail recipe captures all the creamy sweetness of a classic Pina Colada without the alcohol. It allows the flavors of the pineapple and coconut to shine through and rightfully take their place as the star of the drink. Once you make one of these tasty tropical treats you’ll never go back to drinking it any other way!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup cream of coconut
• 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or regular milk)
• 1/4 cup crushed ice
• 1/4 teaspoon star anise extract
• Pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the chopped pineapple, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, star anise extract and almond milk.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into chilled glasses filled with crushed ice.
4. Garnish with pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries.

Food Pairings:

Savor this tropical treat alongside a plate of pernil, slow-roasted pork seasoned with garlic and citrus, for an authentic experience. Balance the tropical flavors with some savory crunch by grabbing fresh pastelitos filled with seasoned beef or chicken – a classic Puerto Rican street food. Don’t forget to end your meal on a sweet note with a slice of tres leches cake, a light and fluffy sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk.

Caribbean Calypso

Escape to the Caribbean when you make this summer mocktail recipe! This rum-free refresher celebrates the rich flavors of the islands with a blend of tropical fruits and a touch of spice. I love visiting tropical locales and sampling the unique flavors each culture brings to not only their foods but also their drinks. It’s been especially eye-opening to realize just how many alcohol-free options have always been available but I never noticed during my drinking days. Things like sugarcane juice or peanut punch always catch my eye and tempt my tongue now that I’m alcohol-free!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup passion fruit juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup grenadine syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Club soda
• Ice cubes
• Orange slices, maraschino cherries, and fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the mango, orange juice, passion fruit juice, lime juice, grenadine syrup, and ginger.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Strain the mixture into a pitcher filled with ice cubes.
4. Top with club soda and garnish with orange slices, maraschino cherries, and fresh mint sprigs.

Food Pairings:

Fire up the grill for some jerk chicken or jerk shrimp skewers to complement the spicy sweetness of the Caribbean Calypso Mocktail. Vegetarians can enjoy veggie kebabs marinated in island spices for a flavorful and protein-packed pairing. Finally, balance the drink’s tropical notes with a savory plantain tart or a sweet potato pone for a delightful end to your Caribbean-inspired meal.

Need more than just easy summer mocktail recipes?

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More Ideas For Easy Summer Mocktail Recipes

If you need more summer mocktail recipes or you’re wondering if NA drinks are even okay to indulge in – we’ve got you covered!

Each month we feature drink ideas to let you indulge without guilt or regrets. They can all be found?right here. Our podcast also tackles the tough questions when it comes to what to drink or how to socialize without drinking. Here are a few of the top episodes on those subjects:

EP 64: Reader Question – Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Are they okay? EP 198: Reader Question – Alcohol-Free drinks? Are they OK? EP 88: Reader Question – Social Drinking – How Do I Muster the Willpower Not to Drink? EP 542: Reader Question – Do you serve wine when you host parties? EP 438: Reader Question – How do you survive the holidays without alcohol?

This post was originally published here.

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