Holiday Mocktails To Try This Season

Whether you’re hosting holiday celebrations this year or have been tasked with bringing a beverage to the gathering, you’ve got plenty of options. From soda to eggnog, the drink selection should be as varied as the guests themselves, and since everyone’s got different tastes, it’s good to switch it up.

Choosing to make a mocktail adds some sugar and spice to the usual drink options — plus, they’re fun for kids, designated drivers and anyone who prefers not to drink alcohol.

Try your hand at shaking things up with these crafty mocktails this holiday season.

Blood Orange Cranberry Fizz

Makes two servings.

• 1 blood orange, for slicing
• 1/2 cup blood orange juice
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 can ginger beer
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 6 fresh cranberries, for garnish

Add the blood orange juice and sugar to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the fresh thyme and stir for 2 minutes or until it slightly thickens, and all sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a glass with ice, add the syrup, cranberry juice and ginger beer. Top with a blood orange slice and fresh cranberries.

Fig Rosemary Spritzer

Makes six servings.

For the mocktail:

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fig preserves
• 3/4 cup elderflower tonic
• Fresh figs and rosemary, for garnish

For the cinnamon vanilla maple syrup:

• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

First, make the cinnamon vanilla maple syrup by combining all ingredients in a measuring cup and whisking until combined. Next, add all mocktail ingredients together in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the cinnamon vanilla maple syrup mixture. Cover and shake until cold and combined, then distribute among six cocktail glasses of your choice.

Spiced Pear Sour

Makes one serving.

• 2 ounces nonalcoholic whiskey
• 2 ounces pear juice
• 3/4 ounces lime juice
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• Orange bitters (to taste)
• Cinnamon stick, for garnish

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker full of ice and shake. Pour into the glass of your choice and add the cinnamon stick garnish.

Jack Frost Tini

Makes two to three servings

• 4 tablespoons vanilla frosting
• 2 tablespoons edible glitter
• Snowflake or other festive sprinkles
• 5 ounces coconut milk
• 3 ounces nonalcoholic blue curacao-flavored syrup
• 2 ounces 100% pineapple juice
• 2 ounces cream of coconut

Start by rolling the rim of two cocktail glasses in frosting, then dip the rim into the edible glitter and sprinkles. If you’d like, add some glitter to the bottom of the glass as well. Set aside.

Combine coconut milk, blue curacao syrup, pineapple juice and cream of coconut inside a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for about 5 seconds, then pour into your prepared glasses.

Sugarpomme Twist

Makes three to four servings.

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 3/4 cup elderflower tonic
• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 1/2 cups tonic water (chilled)
• 1 1/2 cups club soda (chilled)
• Pomegranate seeds, to garnish

Pour all ingredients, except for the tonic water and club soda, into a pitcher and stir. When ready to serve, add the chilled tonic water and club soda to the mixture so that it is perfectly bubbly and cold.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, an initiative led by MADD. If you choose to drink this holiday season, or any time, do not drive intoxicated.

Sarah Vincelette

Based in Rhode Island, Sarah has been a copywriter and content producer with AAA Northeast since 2021. When she’s not scouring the best spots for all things food and drink or whipping up her own versions of tasty meals, you can often find her in the garden, planning her next trip or sipping on (another) hot coffee.