Four Refreshing Summer Mocktail Recipes

Mocktails let you enjoy the refreshing coolness of mixed drinks without the added alcohol found in a traditional cocktail. They are a great addition to summer parties, picnics or just relaxing on the porch. Add luscious summer mocktails to your warm-weather events for a sweet, tangy touch. Serve these pleasing beverages in your favorite cocktail glasses for indoor parties, or fill unbreakable acrylic drinkware for outdoor get-togethers. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a refreshing drink at an elegant al fresco dinner or a simple picnic under the stars?

You can mix up perfect personalized summer mocktails without a formal recipe. Just start with your favorite types of sweet fruit juice, add a mixer that has some zip (like ginger ale).  Pour it over crushed ice, into a cocktail shaker or blender for mixing. However, recipes can come in handy because they provide ingredients, preparation and serving ideas that might not come to mind. Get the blender and glasses ready and give these simple, tasty nonalcoholic beverages a try this summer!

1. Fuzzy Berry Punch

This yummy variation of the Fuzzy Navel makes a drink that is sweet, zesty and colorful. Chill all the ingredients before you start and get out the punch bowl. Pour a 2-liter bottle of blackberry ginger ale into the punch bowl, followed by a 12-ounce container of peach nectar, a 12-ounce container of strawberry nectar and 1 quart of orange juice. Gently mix everything with a serving ladle or a large spoon.  Sink a 1/2-gallon container of orange sherbet in the punch bowl to keep your Fuzzy Berry Punch properly chilled. For a pretty finishing touch, serve with a large strawberry slice hanging over the edge.

2. Pineapple Zip 

Freeze pineapple juice in your ice cube trays a day ahead. Plan on two large juice cubes per glass. Shortly before serving, transfer the juice cubes to your ice bucket or a pretty ceramic canister. Fill each glass about half full of sweet mint tea. Add soda water until the glass is about 3/4 of the way full, then gently drop two pineapple juice ice cubes into each glass. The first sip is a bubbly, lightly sweet mint tea. As the cubes start to melt, the pineapple juice releases its natural tangy flavor into the mocktail.

3. Blueberry-Infused Lemon Strawberry Ice

Freeze lemonade into ice cubes, then pour a cup of unfrozen lemonade into your blender. Put 1/2 cup frozen strawberries into the blender and fill it up the rest of the way with your lemonade ice cubes. Use the low setting on the blender to slowly chop the ice cubes and strawberries to the texture of a smoothie. Add a few extra strawberries for a pulpier mocktail. Pour the icy mixture into a tall glass and drop three or four blueberries on top. Serve this libation with crackers and a tray of cheese or another salty, savory snack of your choice.

4. Zesty Mock-arita:

Relax in your favorite lounge chair with a good book and a Zesty Mock-arita. It looks just like a regular margarita with the signature tang of lemon and lime combined with the sweetness of orange or pineapple juice. If you prefer a flavor with more bite, grapefruit juice makes for an excellent alternative. Pour eight ounces of juice into the blender for each mock-arita you are making. Add a pinch of lime zest and a pinch of lemon zest. Then add 1/4 cup crushed ice. Blend the mixture until the ice is finely crushed and the drink looks slushy. Dip the rim of each glass in regular margarita rimming salt for an authentic touch, and then fill each glass with the icy Zesty Mock-arita.

If relaxing outdoors with your mocktail isn’t an option, take a seat at the bar, dining room table or sofa to relax while sipping on your favorite refreshing nonalcoholic beverage.