We’re halfway through Dry January, so there’s still time to try some fancy zero-proof libations before we take our livers off the bench. Here are some recipes for mocktails that you can craft at home to make the last couple weeks of Dry January a little more exciting.
Zero-proof Blueberry Mojito
This alcohol-free version of the classic cocktail ditches the sugar in favor of fresh blueverries
Ingredients: Soda water, blueberry, cucumber, mint, lime
Instructions: In a shaker, muddle 1/3 cup of blueberries with 8 cucumber slices, 2 lime wedges and 8 mint leaves. Shake and then strain into a glass of ice, then top with soda water.
Coke-onut Milk
This adult take on the childhood-favorite ice cream float layers coconut cream atop ice cold Coca-Cola for a creamy, refreshing mocktail.
Ingredients: Cream of coconut, Coca-Cola (we recommend the Mexican-made Coke, with real sugar), lime
Instructions: Pour Coca-Cola into a highball glass filled with ice, then slowly pour in cream of coconut to layer. Squeeze some lime, then stir and garnish with a lime wedge.
Hazelnut Espresso Mock-tini
Espresso martinis were without doubt the cocktail of the year in 2024. Here’s how to make one without the booze:
Ingredients: Two shots of chilled espresso (brew espresso and let sit in the freezer for about 15 minutes), 2 tsp. hazelnut syrup (Torani works great), 1/4 cup of cream
Instructions: Shake espresso, hazelnut syrup and cream with ice, then strain into a martini glass. Top with whipped cream (optional).
Grapefruit Spritz
Zero-proof Champagne keeps most of the flavor of its boozy alternative, so spritzes are still on the menu.
Ingredients: Fresh grapefruit juice, non-alcoholic Champagne (Fre is a solid choice), rosemary sprigs
Instructions: Pour Champagne into flute glass and add grapefruit juice to taste. Take a rosemary sprig and stir it around in the mixture, then leave as a garnish.
Watermelon Cooler
This mocktail isn’t overly sweet, but completely refreshing.
Ingredients: Sliced fresh watermelon, lime juice, water, soda water
Instructions: Combine 3 slices of (seedless) fresh watermelon with lime juice and 1/3 cup of water in a blender. Blend until smooth, then pour into a glass. Top with soda water and stir to combine.
Shirley Palmer
The classic iced-tea and lemonade beverage is given a whimsical flourish.
Ingredients: Fresh lemonade, iced tea, grenadine
Instructions: Combine equal parts lemonade and iced tea in a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with a drizzle of grenadine.
