Alcohol-free cocktails made easy

Indulge with these delicious non-alcoholic cocktails.

Creating non-alcoholic drinks with party appeal is easy. Choose a delicious alcohol-free cocktail from the tutorials below and gain some alcohol-free inspiration.

The health benefits of switching to non-alcoholic drinks are clear. In the short term, you’re more likely to get a better night’s sleep, feel fresher in the morning, and as a result be more productive the next day.^1,2

Importantly, cutting the number of units you consume helps reduce your risk of developing a range of serious health problems including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast.³

If you drink, the UK Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines recommend it’s safest for both men and women to drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days with several drink-free days, and no bingeing.⁴

Because alcohol contains around seven calories a gram – almost as many as a gram of fat⁵ – changing to an alcohol-free cocktail can mean fewer calories. But, whatever you’re drinking, it’s important to look at the whole picture – the calories in any drink don’t just come from alcohol. So, if you’re making an alcohol-free cocktail consider swapping sugary syrups for low calorie alternatives.

Swapping to alcohol-free beers or wine can also help if you’re trying to cut your calories and how much alcohol you drink – and they’re more popular than ever.⁶

Hugo Spritz

An easy Italian cocktail which has become increasingly popular, a really good option for people who want something light, refreshing and "grown-up". With zesty lime, fragrant mint and floral elderflower, it’s easy to make, and perfect for sipping on a warm day.

Ingredients

25ml Elderflower cordial
25ml Lime juice
Mint leaves
Soda water
Alcohol-free sparkling wine or lemonade

Directions

Fill a large wine glass with ice.
Add 25ml of elderflower cordial and the juice of half a lime.
Add a few fresh mint leaves and gently stir.
Top up with alcohol-free sparkling wine and a splash of soda water.
Give it another gentle stir and garnish with fresh mint and a slice of lime.
Drink and enjoy!

Spicy Margarita

Love a drink with a spicy kick? This alcohol-free take on a Spicy Margarita combines fresh lime and sweet agave with a hint of chilli. Adjust the amount of chilli to find the level of heat that works for you.

Ingredients

25ml Lime juice
15ml Agave syrup
50ml Alcohol-free tequila alternative
2-3 Fresh chillis
Lime wedge
Chilli/salt rim

Directions

Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass, then dip the rim into a little salt.
Add ice to a cocktail shaker, followed by 50ml of an alcohol-free tequila alternative, 25ml of fresh lime juice and 15ml of agave syrup.
Add 2–3 thin slices of fresh chilli. Use less or leave it out if you prefer less heat.
Shake well for around 10–15 seconds.
Strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge and a slice of fresh chilli.

Espresso martini-style

Rich, smooth and full of coffee flavour, this alcohol-free Espresso Martini is a great choice when you want something a little more indulgent. It combines freshly brewed espresso with vanilla and a touch of sweetness, finished with the classic creamy top.

Ingredients

50ml cooled espresso
25ml alcohol-free coffee liquer
10ml vanilla syrup

Directions

Brew a shot of espresso and leave it to cool for a few minutes.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add cooled espresso, alcohol-free coffee liqueur alternative, and vanilla syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for around 10–15 seconds. This helps create the foamy layer on top.
Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
Finish with three coffee beans or a light dusting of coffee powder.

Lime Rickey

Legend has it that this close relation to the mojito was invented by Colonel Rickey, a nineteenth century English officer posted in Washington. For a seasonal twist, try making with crushed ice. Either buy some readymade or take a rolling pin to a bag of ice in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Lime juice 30ml
Sugar syrup, or low calorie alternative, 30ml
Orange bitters 15ml, or orange peel
Soda water 120ml
Lime to garnish

Directions

Take the limes and squeeze them into a highball glass
Pour in the sugar syrup (or low calorie alternative)
Add the orange bitters
Top the glass with a shaker and shake the contents thoroughly
Take a tall glass, add ice
Pour the shaken contents through a strainer and into the glass
Add the soda water
Stir
Garnish with lime peel
Drink and enjoy!

The Real Shirley Temple

For a spot of film star glamour, try this Hollywood classic. Apparently, it was first served to the young starlet by a barman in Beverley Hills when she first hit the big-time. If you’re not a fan of ginger ale, try it with lemonade instead.

Ingredients

Grenadine 45ml
Diet ginger ale 180ml
Lemon x 1

Directions

Pour grenadine into a tall glass
Add ice
Pour in ginger ale
Stir
Garnish with lemon peel

Virgin Mary

This non-alcoholic version of the Bloody Mary is a tomato juice drink that you can sip any time of day. For best results, use top quality tomato juice for a rich and authentic taste.

Ingredients

Tomato juice 180ml
Half a lemon
Pinch of salt and pepper
Tabasco sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Celery stick
Pickles

Directions

Squeeze half a lemon into a tall glass filled with ice
Add salt and pepper
Add a couple of dashes of Tabasco sauce
Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Add tomato juice
Mix well with a long spoon
Garnish with celery stick, lemon and pickles

Sparkling Pom Collins

This contemporary non-alcoholic version of a Tom Collins puts a new healthier twist on a traditional cocktail.

Ingredients

Pomegranate juice 60ml
Soda water 30ml
Pomegranate seeds, one serving
Lime x 1
Ice

Directions

Squeeze the lime into a tall glass
Add ice
Pour in 60ml pomegranate juice
Add 30ml soda water
Garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds
Stir and enjoy!

Ginger Limeade

Ginger Limeade is a deliciously sweet ‘n citrusy alcohol-free cocktail. Its sophisticated bite makes it a great choice to keep your guests warm and cosy when the temperature is dropping outside. For best results, cut the ginger as fine as you can.

Ingredients

Diet lemonade 180ml
Fresh ginger, thumb size piece
Lime x 1

Directions

Thinly slice the ginger and place them in a cocktail mixer, or plastic container
Crush the ginger by muddling it with a pestle
Squeeze a lime on top of the crushed ginger
Put the top on the cocktail shaker (or something tight enough to stop any liquid coming out) and shake the contents
Take a highball glass, add ice
Pour shaker contents into glass through a strainer
Pour lemonade into glass
Garnish with a slice of lime and finely diced ginger
Serve and enjoy!