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What are Mocktails?

Cathy Rogers
Cathy Rogers

Mocktails, an abbreviation for “mock cocktails", are festive, non-alcoholic party drinks. Mocktails are often offered for designated drivers, pregnant women, or any party guests who choose not to drink alcohol. Although many drink recipes can be prepared without alcohol, some are especially popular. Mocktails come in many varieties: frozen, hot, fizzy, non-fizzy, and cream-based recipes.

A Shirley Temple is one of the classic mocktails, often served to children. Named for the child actor, it contains lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, and a dash of grenadine, with a maraschino cherry for garnish. The Roy Rogers is another of the traditional mocktails, this one named for a straight-laced singing cowboy; it is made with cola splashed with a bit of grenadine and is also garnished with a maraschino cherry.

Non-alcoholic "mocktail" can be served in a cocktail glass.
Non-alcoholic "mocktail" can be served in a cocktail glass.

Any flavor of Daiquiri can be made into a mocktail. For a raspberry non-alcoholic version, blend ice, raspberry puree, and lime juice; pour into a glass with sugar on the rim and garnish with fresh raspberries. To create a Seabreeze mocktail, mix cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, and a little lime juice. Using a chilled highball glass, pour the mixed juices over ice.

Pregnant women may appreciate a mocktail.
Pregnant women may appreciate a mocktail.

A Nada Colada contains all the ingredients of a regular Pina Colada except the alcohol. Blend pineapple juice, cream of coconut, rum extract, and crushed ice in a blender until smooth. Serve garnished with a pineapple slice. The Cajun Clamato is a mock bloody-Mary type drink made with Clamato juice, a dash each of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, salt and pepper, horseradish, and a celery stalk for garnish.

A virgin pina colada is considered a mocktail.
A virgin pina colada is considered a mocktail.

Mocktails are popular alternatives to alcoholic drinks and allow everyone to enjoy the spirit of a celebratory occasion in a responsible manner. Most mocktails are blends of fresh fruit juices and syrups, and some contain cream, herbs, or spices. Since mocktails contain no alcohol, people of all ages can enjoy them. Hot mocktail recipes include non-alcoholic wassail. Easy to prepare in a crock pot, this drink contains apple cider, unsweetened pineapple juice, and tea, seasoned with cloves, allspice, and cinnamon.

Discussion Comments

AnswerMan

Back in the day, most of the restaurants I frequented only offered real cocktails or soft drinks to customers. It wasn't even possible to order a mocktail, unless you specifically ordered a "virgin" drink. I think some bartenders were willing to serve a basic mocktail like a Shirley Temple, which was ginger ale and grenadine served over ice.

Now, I've been in restaurants that offer both mocktails and cocktails right on the menu. The list of mocktails is often very impressive, not just cocktail recipes made without alcohol. When my wife was pregnant last year, one restaurant had a list of suggested mocktails for pregnant women. The prices were also adjusted accordingly, since they didn't contain a relatively expensive ingredient.

I wish more bars would lower their prices for non-alcoholic mocktails, since there are designated drivers and teetotalers who also like to have a "drink" with friends.

mrwormy

To be honest, there are many times when I prefer a mocktail over a cocktail, even though I do enjoy wine and spirits. If I'm at a party, I'm not always interested in becoming intoxicated or even slightly tipsy. I may have to go home early, for one thing. A well-made mocktail satisfies my craving for a complicated beverage, but without the burn or bite of certain alcohols. I think mock margaritas made without tequila taste better, since I'm not a big fan of tequila anyway.

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    • Non-alcoholic "mocktail" can be served in a cocktail glass.
      By: Alex Bramwell
      Non-alcoholic "mocktail" can be served in a cocktail glass.
    • Pregnant women may appreciate a mocktail.
      By: Reicher
      Pregnant women may appreciate a mocktail.
    • A virgin pina colada is considered a mocktail.
      By: Elenathewise
      A virgin pina colada is considered a mocktail.
    • Cola can be used in a mocktail.
      By: RTimages
      Cola can be used in a mocktail.
    • Cajun Clamato is the name of a mock Bloody Mary.
      By: Danny Hooks
      Cajun Clamato is the name of a mock Bloody Mary.
    • Fruits, like blueberries, are a popular ingredient in mocktails.
      By: leighboardman84
      Fruits, like blueberries, are a popular ingredient in mocktails.
    • Mocktails are designed to look and taste like a cocktail without containing any alcohol.
      By: Antonio
      Mocktails are designed to look and taste like a cocktail without containing any alcohol.
    • Mocktails enable non-drinkers to enjoy the social aspects of drinking without the alcohol.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Mocktails enable non-drinkers to enjoy the social aspects of drinking without the alcohol.