Winter brings a desire for warm, comforting drinks. While many holiday gatherings feature alcoholic beverages, there are plenty of festive, spirit-free options that are just as satisfying. These non-alcoholic creations offer complex flavors and a celebratory feel without the effects of alcohol.
Here are six mocktails to enjoy throughout the colder months, perfect for a quiet night in or a lively party.
1. Cranberry-Ginger Shrub
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A shrub is an old-fashioned drink concentrate made from fruit, sugar, and vinegar. The result is a tart and sweet syrup that can be mixed with sparkling water or club soda. This Cranberry-Ginger Shrub brings a delightful tang and a bit of warmth, making it a standout beverage for any winter occasion. The combination of cranberry and ginger offers a familiar holiday flavor profile with a sophisticated twist. The vinegar base gives it a complexity that is often missing from sweeter mocktails.
How to Make it:
- Key Ingredients: Cranberries, ginger, sugar, apple cider vinegar, sparkling water
- Make the shrub syrup: Combine equal parts fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Let it sit for 24-48 hours in the fridge.
- Strain the mixture to remove solids and store the syrup in the refrigerator.
- To serve, mix 1-2 tablespoons of syrup with sparkling water or your choice of spirit. Garnish and enjoy.
2. Sparkling Pear & Orange “Champagne” Punch
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Who says Punch gets retired after the summer party season? This bubbly blend teams up pear nectar and orange juice for a duo that brings plenty of brightness to winter days. Sparkling water adds effervescence, creating all the fizz and cheer of “champagne” without the buzz. A handful of orange slices, pear wedges, or a few fresh cranberries tossed in makes the whole thing look like it RSVP’d to your holiday spread.
How to Make it:
- Pour chilled pear nectar and orange juice into a pitcher.
- Add plenty of ice and a splash of lemon juice if you want some extra zing.
- Right before serving, top with sparkling water (or non-alcoholic sparkling wine for more grandeur).
- Garnish with fresh fruit or even a sprig of rosemary for an herbal note.
3. Slow Cooker Pear Cider
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While apple cider often gets the spotlight, pear cider is a wonderful alternative that deserves attention. Pears offer a delicate, floral sweetness that creates a lighter, more fragrant beverage. Making it in a slow cooker allows the flavors of the pears, oranges, and spices like cinnamon and star anise to meld together over several hours. The house will smell amazing as it simmers.
How to Make It:
- Key Ingredients: Pears, oranges, cinnamon sticks, star anise, water
- Slice up some pears and oranges and toss them into your slow cooker.
- Add water and your favorite mulling spices, like cinnamon sticks and star anise.
- Let it simmer on low for a few hours, filling your home with an aroma that screams “cozy.”
- Strain and serve warm. It’s like a hug in a mug.
4. Blackberry Spritzer
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For those who prefer a cold, refreshing drink even in winter, a Blackberry Spritzer is a great choice. This mocktail is bright, bubbly, and visually stunning. Muddled blackberries release their deep color and sweet-tart juice, which pairs perfectly with a squeeze of fresh lime and a sprig of mint or rosemary for an herbal note. Topped with sparkling water or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine, it becomes an elegant beverage.
How to Make It:
- Key Ingredients: Blackberries, lime, mint or rosemary, sparkling water
- Toss some blackberries and a sprig of mint or rosemary into a glass. Muddle them like you mean it (get all that workday aggression out).
- Squeeze in a bit of fresh lime juice.
- Top it off with sparkling water or non-alcoholic bubbly.
- Give it a gentle stir and pretend you’re at a five-star resort instead of your cousin’s chaotic holiday party.
5. Non-Groggy Glögg
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Glögg is a traditional Scandinavian mulled beverage, and this non-alcoholic version captures its warming essence without the spirits. It’s a rich and aromatic drink, typically built on a base of blackcurrant and grape juices. The liquid is simmered with a collection of fragrant spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and orange peel. The addition of raisins and almonds is traditional, adding texture and flavor.
How to Make It:
- Combine grape juice and blackcurrant juice in a large pot.
- Add orange peel, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cardamom for flavor.
- Simmer gently on the stovetop to let the spices infuse.
- Serve warm and enjoy! Perfect for sharing at gatherings or cozy nights by the fire.
6. Woodchuck Warmer Apple Cider
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Apple cider is a winter staple, but a Woodchuck Warmer takes the experience up a notch with a mellow blend of apples, spices, and a hint of citrus. This upgrade on the usual cider gets its magic from slow simmering, giving time for cinnamon, cloves, and allspice to work their wonders and build layers of flavor. Sliced oranges add brightness, while the gentle heat from the stove fills the whole kitchen with a scent that can outdo any candle.
How to Make It:
- Pour good-quality apple cider into a pot or slow cooker.
- Add a few cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and allspice berries.
- Thinly slice an orange and toss the slices in with a star anise or two.
- Let everything simmer gently for at least an hour—longer if patience allows.
- Serve warm, straining out the spices if preferred, and garnish with a citrus slice.
From Kitchen to Cheers
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Exploring these spirit-free drinks can be a fun winter project. To make them even better, consider the details. Use fresh, high-quality, immunity-boosting ingredients whenever possible; fresh ginger is more potent than powdered, and good chocolate makes a difference. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the recipes. Adjust spice levels to your preference, or try a different type of citrus. A simple garnish, like an orange twist, a cinnamon stick, or a fresh herb sprig, can also make any drink feel more complete.