Mocktails to Order at a Bar: Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks

I know what it’s like to go out with friends and be the only person not ordering an alcoholic beverage — it’s not that you really mind necessarily, it’s just that it often seems like there’s not many fun drinks to order. You can only have so many Coke Zeros in a week as a “treat” before it loses its charm.

If you feel like you’re missing out on a world of tasty boozy beverages, the truth is you can abstain while out and about by using this guide to nonalcoholic drinks or mocktails to order at a bar.

You don’t need alcohol to have fun! There are so many delicious options that even if you’re working on staying away from the booze long after Dry January, you won’t be bored or feel like you’re missing out. Added bonus? You had an awesome time, a delicious drink, and you’re a safe ride home for everyone. Triple win.

I haven’t had alcohol in a few years, for the simple fact that I just don’t feel well no matter what I have or how little there is. I used to be down for a few drinks, even if they were met with some regret the next morning, but now I steer clear altogether.

Perhaps you’re just not that into drinking, or maybe you’re making the decision for health or personal reasons. Either way, I have major respect for you! It takes a lot of strength to make the conscious choice to stay sober, and I think it’s amazing.

You deserve to have a refreshing mocktail and enjoy yourself while you’re out as much as anyone else. As do people who are just the designated driver for the night, or who are looking for alcohol-free options because they're pregnant.

Once while ordering, a waitress asked me if I wanted to try a mocktail after I turned down the drink menu — apparently the bar I was at served up some pretty delicious non alcoholic beverages that weren’t even on the menu. Absolutely! That’s when my passion for flavorful mocktails began, and I’d love to share it with you.

If you’re looking for a guide for the best drinks for non drinkers, we’ve got you covered!

Replacing Drinks Containing Wine or Champagne

If you’re looking for a good wine substitute for a mocktail, start here.

These suggestions can also replace Champagne, so keep in mind that any drink recipe you see on a menu at a bar that contains wine or champagne can be replaced with these options:

Sparkling Water

Sparkling water is refreshing and hydrating, and is an excellent alternative to Champagne. The effervescence and crisp taste mimic Champagne, and add a touch of classic elegance to any drink.

There are natural mineral water options with no added flavors, or you can find flavored options that have fruit essence to enhance your drink’s flavor profile. While many sip sparkling water on its own, it’s a great addition to drinks that already contain sweet or sugary ingredients, as it helps to take the sugar down a notch.

You can also dress up a sparkling water with herbs or fruits and drink it as a drier, less sweet cocktail alternative.

Sparkling Juice

This is a favorite in my home for celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve with the kids. They love how sparkling juices come in fancy bottles (that we struggle to open every year because we forget about the bottle top) and feels classier than the soda that we enjoy on occasion.

Sparkling juice is sweet and flavorful and mimics wine and champagne very nicely. It is made by infusing fruit juices with carbonation and has a soft, fizzy texture over the light, natural flavor. Crisp apple is a good replacement for white wines, and grape makes a good substitute for red wines.

This is also a good option for people who choose to be less bold about their non-alcoholic preferences. Sparkling juice looks a lot like wine, so if you’re dodging uncomfortable questions or judgment, this may be your go-to.

Serve it in a silicone wine glass for a fun presentation and easy clean up!

Juice

It may sound too simple and good to be true, but fruit juice can make a good substitution for wine. White and red grape juice contain the same basic flavor profile as your standard white and red wines.

These are good substitutes if you’re not looking for a sparkling drink result, but rather a smooth one. Cranberry juice is another good alternative that is not too sweet and therefore is reminiscent of wine.

Sparkling Cider

This fermented pear or apple cider beverage is great alone or as a stand-in for wine or Champagne in recipes that favor the tart but sweet apple flavor.

Many people enjoy it for its effervescence, as well as a sugary start with a tangy kick at the end.

Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine

The alcohol industry is listening! Many folks are looking for a solution to replacing their wine without having to do a lot of work and digging, so manufacturers have spent a good deal of time and money coming up with some precise alternatives. The flavors are quite similar, and the sparkling crispness adds that perfect touch.

Easy Mocktail Ideas at Home

Our favorite cocktails containing wine that can be alcohol-free with few modifications are:

• Green Tea Cocktail: Replace the champagne with sparkling cider for an equally delicious, refreshing cocktail that is unique!
• Mimosa: A prime example of simplicity, mimosas are usually just a combination of orange juice and champagne or sparkling white wine. Try replacing the booze with sparkling juice, or add more citrus zest by using sparkling water.
• Sparkling Mango Lemonade: An awesome summer treat, party drink for all ages, or just a delicious refresher, this mocktail recipe we featured requires no replacements!
• Cranberry Punch: For large groups, consider replacing the booze with some ginger ale for a cost-effective party drink everyone will love!
• Raspberry Mango Bellini: Can you imagine a dreamier duo? Use sparkling juice or cider in this delicious cocktail drink to take the place of champagne, sparkling wine, or Prosecco.
• St. Germain and Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail: Fool your guests and even your own tastebuds by replacing Champagne with sparkling juice or cider, and splurging on a bottle of non-alcoholic elderflower liqueur as a replacement for St. Germain. This is a classy drink that doesn’t require a large amount of effort and makes for a truly fantastic presentation.
• Jam Toast Cocktail: This cocktail calls for Prosecco or Champagne, but you can replace it with one of your fizzy favorites above. The unique twist to this beverage is the addition of a tablespoon of jam- perfect for the bold sweet and tart flavors in raspberry jam or the sweet familiarity of a dollop of plain strawberry jam.

Classic “Virgin” Drink Options

A virgin drink is another name for a non-alcoholic beverage. Many drinks you may enjoy out at a bar or poolside come in virgin options, meaning the alcohol is left out and you still have a flavorful, refreshing drink. Common drinks that most bartenders are comfortable making virgin include:

• Pina Colada
• Margarita
• Shirley Temple
• Mojito
• Strawberry Daiquiri

Chances are, most bartenders have made plenty of these virgin cocktails in their day. But you can always try asking for something new!

Less Conventional Spirit-Free Ideas

Here are some things you can order that many bartenders could potentially whip up as a virgin cocktail (though maybe not at your local dive bar, depending on the selection):

• Cranberry Rosemary Herb Soda
• Blueberry or Strawberry Lemonade (still or sparkling)
• Lemon or Blueberry Basil Soda
• Lemon Seltzer with Strawberries and Simple Syrup
• Jasmine Tea with Tonic Water
• Chocolate Milk Served Martini Style
• Virgin Mule
• Strawberry Cucumber Limeade
• Frozen Coconut Limeade
• Housemade Lemon-Lime Soda

Mocktail Liqueurs for Your Home Bar

If you entertain often or like to indulge in mixed drinks at home, it may be worth it to load up on some non-alcoholic replacement liqueurs.

Guests who don’t drink will delight in the array of options, and you can also cut back on your intake by making a drink that’s flavorful and fun.

Companies such as Enjoy Mocktails have created flavored liqueurs that can easily replace what a cocktail recipe may call for. Craftmix also makes ready-to-go mixers that are available on Amazon for an affordable price if you want a flavorful drink that’s already been tested and approved.

If you’re looking to cut back on sugar and sweets, there are keto friendly, sugar free mixers that people love, such as Jordan’s Skinny Mixes – check out the rave reviews on the extremely popular Strawberry Key Lime Margarita Mix.

Still Not Sure What to Order?

If you’re not sure what fun drink to order at a bar that’s zero proof, my old standby is almost too simple: asking the waiter, waitress, or bartender.

If you know you tend to like certain flavors or types of drinks, mention them! I usually ask for something “fruity and sweet,” and have yet to be disappointed. But even if you don't want a sweet drink — maybe you prefer sour flavors, or the viscosity of tomato juice in a virgin Bloody Mary — your bartender or server can almost definitely suggest a great option for a zero-proof drink.

Each bartender or drink mixer will have some standby favorites that they are comfortable serving up, or they can modify the drink of the day to suit your needs! They will also know what is fresh and in-season in the kitchen to make a drink taste its best.

If all of this feels too overwhelming or you clam up when talking to new people, you can just keep it simple and order something classic like an Arnold Palmer or iced tea, grapefruit juice, or a non-alcoholic beer.

Another easy option would be to ask for a single ingredient you see listed in classic cocktails on the menu such as ginger beer, soda water or club soda, seltzer water, or even pineapple juice or pickle juice.

And the good news is, an ever-growing list of cocktail bars and restaurants in the United States are offering good non-alcoholic drinks on their menu, with at least one or two zero-proof cocktails or otherwise tasty drinks you can enjoy.

Feeling inspired? Make this mocktail at home!