30 Refreshing Non-Alcoholic Drinks For Everyone To Enjoy

Celebration-worthy drinks for all ages.

By

Updated on July 29, 2024

Southern Living Cherry Limeade in glasses to serve — Photo:
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

Whether you're purposefully skipping the booze or just looking for something refreshing to sip while reading on the porch, it's helpful to have a handful of non-alcoholic and mocktail drink options that don't taste like you're drinking from a juice box. It's not that we don't love fruity flavor; you'll be hard pressed to find a scenario where we'd turn down a fresh, fruit-infused sipper. But a sophisticated mix of flavor is what transforms an everyday drink into a real treat, and these recipes are the proof.

It doesn't have to be 5 o'clock somewhere for a booze-free beverage. These easy, non-alcoholic drinks to make at home can transform any weeknight into something special—no liquor required. From creative mocktails to new twists on your classic sweet tea, this collection of cool, non-alcoholic drinks is sure to quench anyone's thirst. Prepare a pitcher full for your backyard barbecue or a single serving for an afternoon treat. One sip in, and you won't be missing the booze one bit.

01 of 30

Blackberry-Lime Porch Punch

Southern Living Blackberry-Lime Porch Punch in glasses to serve — Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

Sweet tea, fresh blackberry juice, ginger beer, and lime juice come together to create this vibrant drink. If serving for a party, save time the day of hosting by making the fruit juice a day ahead of time. Just keep it refrigerated until ready to mix with the remaining ingredients.

02 of 30

Non-Alcoholic Margarita Mocktail

Southern Living Non-Alcoholic Margarita in glasses to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Prissy Montiel

No one will be missing out on happy hour when you serve these margaritas. Mix together freshly squeezed orange and lime juice with limeade, then top with sparkling water. All you have left to do is decide–sugar or salt rim?

03 of 30

Peach Lemonade

Southern Living Peach Lemonade in a glass to serve with ice and a peach slice — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Beat the summer heat by taking a pitcher of classic lemonade to the next level with fresh peaches.

04 of 30

Pineapple Mocktail

Southern Living Pineapple Mocktail in glasses to serve — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Transport yourself to a tropical vacation with this easy and elevated pineapple mocktail that only requires a few ingredients to pull together.

05 of 30

Strawberry Spritzers

Southern Living Strawberry Spritzer in glasses to serve — Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl

Once you make the five-ingredient strawberry shrub this spritz calls for, it will last for up to three months in the refrigerator.

06 of 30

Rosemary-and-Ginger Mule

Rosemary-and-Ginger Mule — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

No one should have to miss out on a mule, especially around the holidays. This drink has all the flavors of a Moscow mule with none of the alcohol.

07 of 30

Shirley Temple Drink

Southern Living Shirley Temple finished drink in a glass — Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

We'll never tire of this nostalgic classic that transports us straight back to our childhood days. Lemon-lime soda, grenadine, fresh lime juice, and cherries to garnish strike the prefect balance of fizzy and sweet.

08 of 30

Ginger-Orange Mocktails

Ginger-Orange Mocktails — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

This citrus flavored mocktail is a go-to with or without alcohol. Perfect for backyard parties and porch sitting alike, you're sure to be refreshed after just a few sips.

09 of 30

Strawberry Agua Fresca

Southern Living Strawberry Agua Fresca in glasses to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

Stay hydrated with this simple and vibrant beverage that gets its bright color and fresh flavor from a simple homemade strawberry mash.

10 of 30

Lemonade Iced Tea

Southern Living Lemonade Iced Tea in a glass to serve with ice and lemon wedges — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Why pick one refreshing summertime sipper when you can combine two? You'll want to serve this crowd-favorite for all your backyard barbecues from now on.

11 of 30

Cherry Limeade

Southern Living Cherry Limeade in glasses to serve — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

If you love Sonic's cherry limeade, you'll be head over heals for this homemade version that is the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

12 of 30

Watermelon-Basil Sweet Tea

Southern Living Watermelon-Basil Sweet Tea in a pitcher to serve with other drinks beside — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Give your sweet tea a seasonal twist and lean into summer with this rendition of the traditional Southern beverage. A pitcher of this basil-and-watermelon-laden beverage is sure to hit the spot—with or without alcohol.

13 of 30

Black-Eyed Susan Slushie

Black-Eyed Susan Slushies — Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

As the official cocktail of Maryland's Preakness Stakes, a Black-Eyed Susan cocktail is delicious with or without bourbon. Our slushie version calls for pineapple and citrus juices, ginger ale, and plenty of fun garnishes.

14 of 30

Roy Rogers Drink

Southern Living Roy Rogers — Jessica Furniss

This simple refreshment that has been served as a non-alcoholic alternative since the 1940s only requires three ingredients—cola, grenadine, and maraschino cherries to garnish.

15 of 30

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Southern Living Frozen Strawberry Lemonade in glasses to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Both tangy and sweet, this fruit-infused frozen drink is always a welcomed party guest. Make this frozen treat feel extra special by keeping your glasses chilled until you're ready to pour.

16 of 30

Tennessee Fruit Tea

tennessee fruit tea — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Infuse chilled black tea with a homemade pineapple simple syrup and lime juice for a burst of tropical flavor. Serve batch-style with fruit and citrus wedges to garnish.

17 of 30

Frozen Raspberry Lemonade

raspberry lemonade — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Great for kids and adults alike, this non-alcoholic drink is especially delicious in summer when raspberries are at their sweetest and most juicy.

18 of 30

Strawberry Lemonade

Southern Living Strawberry Lemonade in a glass to serve with ice and strawberry slices — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Give the traditionally yellow refreshment a pink hue with homemade syrup made from fresh strawberries. Don't worry, the syrup comes together in just 10 minutes.

19 of 30

Classic Sweet Tea

Southern Living Classic Sweet Tea in glasses to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Any Southern host knows you should always have a pitcher of sweet tea on hand whether you're expecting company or not. The trick to our version is a touch of baking soda to make it extra clear.

20 of 30

Easter Brunch Punch

Southern Living Easter Brunch Punch in punch bowl — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Give store-bought strawberry lemonade a little extra love with a three-ingredient house-made rhubarb syrup.

21 of 30

Minty Lemonade Iced Tea

Lemonade Iced Tea — Jennifer Davick

Lemonade and fresh mint leaves provide a flavorful fruit twist to this classic summer drink.

22 of 30

Frozen Blueberry Lemonade

three glasses of frozen blueberry lemonade — Alison Miksch

This icy sipper is a delicious way to combine the sweet-tart flavors of lemonade and blueberry. We call for frozen blueberries, but you can use fresh, too.

23 of 30

Homemade Lemonade

Southern Living Classic Lemonade in a pitcher to serve with ice and lemon slices — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It's hard not to reminisce on childhood days when enjoying this perfectly tart and sweet cold drink. Adults and kids alike will be coming back for a second glass.

24 of 30

4th of July Firecracker Punch

4th of July Firecracker Punch — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

While this family-friendly recipe feels extra festive for the Fourth of July, you can make it for picnics and potlucks all summer long. Freeze-dried strawberries and raspberries are blended to create a berry powder which gives the drink its vibrant hue.

25 of 30

Cranberry-Apple Cider

Cranberry-Apple Cider — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

We always love something that can be made ahead of time and this cider checks the box. You can prepare it and store in the fridge for three days before serving.

26 of 30

Sparkling Punch

Sparkling Punch — Jennifer Davick

The perfect shade of pink for showers and ladies lunches, this sweet-tart punch features pink lemonade for a festive perk-me-up.

27 of 30

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade — Ralph Anderson

The key here is freshly squeezed lemon juice, but in a pinch frozen lemon juice, thawed, can be substituted.

28 of 30

Sparkling Cherry Limeade

Sparkling Cherry Limeade — Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Annette Joseph; Food Styling: Cynthia Groseclose

Garnished with a festive Maraschino cherry, these cool drinks are a childhood favorite adults don't have to be ashamed to say they adore.

29 of 30

Orange Sherbet Punch

Orange Sherbet Punch in the bowl to serve — Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

We'll always have an extra cup of punch when it's made with sherbet. Garnish this centerpiece-worthy recipe with fresh citrus slices and mint for a true party in a bowl.

30 of 30

Lemon Mint Sparklers

Lemon-Mint Sparklers — Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

To keep things hassle-free, make the lemon-mint syrup a week ahead, keeping it refrigerated. Mix just before serving with chilled club soda to ensure the drink is nice and fizzy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some famous mocktails?

According to escoffier.edu, 20th-century celebrities are the source of many mocktails' names. Some of the more popular drinks include Shirley Temple, Roy Rogers, and Arnold Palmer.
Why should you serve mocktails at your next party?

Mocktails are excellent alternatives to serve at parties because it provides a sensitive option to those with a problematic relationship with alcohol, is typically lower in calories and sugar, and use fun and unique flavors.

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