Cocktail & Other Recipes Cocktail Type Nonalcoholic

18 of the Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Make Year-Round

They offer just as much flavor and complexity as full-proof drinks.

By
Audrey Morgan
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Audrey Morgan
Audrey Morgan is the associate editor at Liquor.com, where she writes and edits features, explainers, bottle reviews, bartender profiles, and more.
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Published 01/9/23
Non-Alcoholic Spicy Margarita

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Gone are the days when the Shirley Temple was the only cocktail option for anyone taking time off from drinking alcohol. As more non-alcoholic distilled spirits and ingredients have hit the market, bartenders have begun to incorporate them into drinks with complex results. Many zero-proof cocktails also rely on ingredients you can make at home, from flavorful syrups to freshly-pressed juices. While you might turn to these 18 recipes for Dry January or Sober October, they’re delicious any time of year.

  • NAgroni

    Non alcoholic Negroni

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    How do you make a zero-proof version of a drink that’s traditionally made entirely of alcoholic ingredients? Hyatt national bar director Miranda Breedlove employs a trio of non-alcoholic distilled spirits to replicate the classic combination of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

    Get the recipe.

  • Berry Smash

    Berry Smash non-alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    “The pink non-alcoholic beverage has a bad rep for always being too pink or just tasting like juice,” says Lauren “LP” Paylor. That’s far from the case with the vibrant Berry Smash. It offers layers of flavor and complexity, thanks to three types of berries, two Seedlip expressions, hibiscus tea, lemon juice, mint, and ginger beer.

    Get the recipe.

  • Tonic Rickey

    Tonic Rickey non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    A classic Rickey combines a spirit (often bourbon or gin) with lime juice and sparkling water. For this non-alcoholic take, cocktail blogger Camille Wilson enlists tonic water, seltzer, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. Two dashes of Angostura bitters contribute a scant amount of alcohol to the finished drink, but you can use a non-alcoholic brand such as All the Bitter Aromatic Bitters to make it entirely alcohol-free.

    Get the recipe.

  • Vitamin Parade

    Vitamin Parade non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    In her 2022 book Drink Lightly, bar pro Natasha David calls this drink “pure liquid fortification.” It’s  chock-full of feel-good ingredients, including fresh carrot and pineapple juices, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, an egg white, and ginger beer. 

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 5 of 18 below.

  • Far Afield

    Far Afield non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Bartender Alex Jump calls this elegant stirred drink a “slightly herbal White Negroni variation.” She combines two non-alcoholic distillates—Martini & Rossi Floreale Aperitivo and Seedlip Garden—with tart blanc verjus and a ginger-citrus tea syrup. 

    Get the recipe.

  • Shirley Temple

    Shirley Temple

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Whether you love it or hate it, this bright-red mix of grenadine and lemon-lime soda (or ginger ale) is undoubtedly the most famous non-alcoholic cocktail of all time. For a more sophisticated version, add a squeeze of lime and a high-quality grenadine. (You can even make your own.)

    Get the recipe.

  • See You on Wednesday

    Non-Alcoholic Spicy Margarita

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    David leans on savory ingredients for this non-alcoholic Spicy Margarita variation, combining muddled jalapeño coins and cilantro, agave nectar, freshly-pressed celery juice, and lime juice. A homemade salt solution accentuates the drink’s flavors.

    Get the recipe.

  • Gin-Free & Tonic

    Gin Free and Tonic

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Homemade juniper syrup stars in this non-alcoholic take on the classic, which also enlists lemon juice and a high-quality tonic water. You’ll want to keep it on hand to mix up zero-proof G&Ts whenever the craving strikes.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 9 of 18 below.

  • Slow Burn

    Slow Burn non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Leyenda co-owner Ivy Mix created this sweet-tart Margarita variation for Listen Bar, an alcohol-free pop-up series. The combination of Ritual Tequila Alternative, lime juice, maple syrup, and pomegranate molasses is made even more delicious by a spicy-sweet smoked salt rim.

    Get the recipe.

  • Garden Collins

    Garden Collins non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Homemade syrups add flavor and body to non-alcoholic drinks. For this herbaceous Tom Collins twist, Paylor adds a syrup made from freshly-pressed celery juice to a refreshing combination of Seedlip Garden, brewed green tea, lemon juice, and ginger ale. 

    Get the recipe.

  • Shot in the Dark

    Shot in the Dark non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Jump was inspired by Acid League Wine Proxies to create this sour-format drink. She combines the faux-wine blend with an herb-forward non-alcoholic distilled spirit, lemon juice, vanilla syrup, and vegan aquafaba to create a N/A cocktail that can be consumed by almost anyone.

    Get the recipe.

  • Rosemary-Pomegranate Soda

    Rosemary Pomegranate Soda non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This herbaceous combination from former chef and bartender Nic Sims tastes much more complex than your average soda. He mixes pomegranate juice, a homemade rosemary simple syrup, and club soda. 

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 13 of 18 below.

  • Mental Note

    Mental Note non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This earthy and tart drink from David mixes fresh beet, grapefruit and lemon juices, and a homemade vanilla syrup. A heaping barspoon of raspberry preserves ties everything together.

    Get the recipe.

  • Salty Ginger-Ade

    Salty ginger ade non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This savory-sweet drink takes its cues from jaljeera, a tangy and hydrating Indian beverage that is often made with citrus juices and spices. This version combines a Medjool date, lime juice, salt, cumin, and ginger beer. 

    Get the recipe.

  • Night at the Spritz

    Night at the Spritz non alcoholic cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    New York City bartender Allison St. Pierre swaps the spritz’s usual bitter liqueur for Ghia, a Campari-like non-alcoholic aperitif. She tops it with soda water for a simple and refreshing libation.

    Get the recipe.

  • Mint-Basil Limeade

    Mint-Basil Limeade

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This drink is made for Mojito lovers—or anyone looking for an herb-forward and refreshing sip. It combines muddled basil and mint, simple syrup, lime juice, and club soda.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 17 of 18 below.

  • Don’t Call Me Shirley

    Don't Call Me Shirley cocktail

    Liquor.com / TIm Nusog

    This riff on the childhood classic from bar pro Colleen Kenny is all grown up, thanks to a homemade grenadine that combines pomegranate molasses and citrus juices. Luxurious Amarena cherries replace the classic neon-red maraschino garnish. 

    Get the recipe.

  • Strawberry Crush

    Strawberry Crush cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This simple non-alcoholic drink from bartender Sean Barlow relies on easy-to-source ingredients. He combines muddled strawberries and mint, lime juice, simple syrup, and ginger beer. 

    Get the recipe.