What to Drink When You Can’t Drink

There are a lot of reasons not to drink alcohol. Maybe you’re not old enough, maybe you just don’t like booze, maybe you don’t want to get drunk, or maybe you’re just looking for something new. I wanted to make this list since I’ve got a love-hate relationship with alcohol. Mostly it hates me, but that’s neither here nor there.

Anyway, I came up with a list of tasty concoctions and mocktails you can order at most bars that don’t include alcohol for all the fun taste and none of the nasty hangovers. Even if you are partaking in booze, maybe you can treat your DD to a little something special as a show of gratitude.

Shirley Temple

There are a lot of variations with a Shirley Temple drink, but usually, it’s a simple glass of ginger ale with grenadine and a maraschino cherry. If you want to mix things up, you can ask for added orange juice, lemon-lime soda, or even lemonade too. It may sound like a basic drink, but it’s delicious, and the red of the grenadine makes it look pretty too.

Shirley Temples were a childhood favorite of mine though I would always pick out the cherry and give it to a family member since I didn’t like them. 

Spritzers

Spritzers are a refreshing drink with a huge variety of flavors and twists. They’re usually made with club soda/ soda water and some syrup, muddled fruit, and fruit garnish. It’s hard to recommend any specific type without knowing what is available in your area, but you can always ask the bartender what they have available. 

When you’re ordering a spritzer, though, be careful that you’re ordering one made with club soda instead of wine. As long as you ask for a non-alcoholic version, it should be fine.

Cinderella

I hadn’t actually heard of a Cinderella before, but doing a little research, it seems like it would taste really good and be easily available too. All you need is some lemon juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and some ginger ale/ club soda. It’s fruity, it’s sweet, and it’s perfect for someone not looking to drink booze.

Most bars will have these ingredients on hand for other cocktails, so if your bartender hasn’t heard of the drink, you should be able to explain it pretty easily to them.

Fruity Fizz

A fruity fizz is pretty similar to a spritzer, there are tons of variations, and they’re made primarily with fruit and a fizzy base. You can experiment to find a recipe that suits your tastes, or you can try a citrus fizz made with lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, a splash of grenadine, and some sparkling water.

It’s almost a rougher way to make your own flavored soda, but it’s delicious, and if you’re looking for something refreshing to beat the heat, you can always had some mint to the mix.

Arnold Palmer

An Arnold Palmer is an easy and great drink if you’re tired of the overly fruity, fizzy stuff. It’s just lemonade and iced tea. Simple but still adding something new. You can even find jugs of booze-free Arnold Palmers at most grocery stores. The best part is, the regular version of the drink IS the non-alcoholic version. 

If you want to get a little crazy, you can always ask for a spiked version. Normally your bartender will add vodka, but you can always request something else if you like.

The Virgins

There are a lot of drinks and cocktails you can order as “virgin,” meaning they’re made without alcohol. The easy thing about ordering a virgin drink is that if the bar or restaurant you’re at has the regular drink, they will most likely be happy to make the virgin version too, no explanation necessary.

Virgin Piña Colada

You may not be able to get a virgin piña colada everywhere, but it’s still a really common drink option. It’s the exact same thing as a regular pina colada without the rum. All you need is frozen pineapple, pineapple juice, coconut milk, ice, and a little brown sugar for some extra sweetness. Depending on where you get your drink from, they may add some ice cream too.

(If you’ve ever seen a creamy yellow drink with an umbrella in it, you’ve probably seen someone sucking down a piña colada.)

Virgin Mojito

Virgin mojitos are technically spritzers, but more people will know what you want if you order it as a non-alcoholic mojito. All you need is lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, and some sparkling water. They’re simple, they’re delicious, and oh so refreshing. If you want a little something more, try adding some lemonade!  

The original drink is also made with rum, just like a piña colada, but if you want the taste without the hangover, trust me and order it virgin.

Virgin Margarita/ Daiquiri

The main difference between a margarita and a daiquiri is that margaritas use triple sec liqueur and tequila, while daiquiris are primarily made with rum and a different citrus flavor. Without the alcohol, some margaritas don’t even use triple sec and fall back on a heavier lime flavor. 

If you want one of the fruity versions, they’re kind of like fancy slushies. They’re usually tossed in a blender with frozen fruit, ice, fruit juices, and maybe some extra sweetener like honey or agave. They’re really good and widely available too. 

If you’re looking to up your mixology game from home without heading out to a bar, head on over to skillshare and check out their online classes taught by real professionals. They’ll give you all the inside tips and tricks, and you can even start out with a free trial if you aren’t sure you want to spend the money on it. 

If you’re more in the mood for some free reading material, check out our blog on ranking the best chicken sandwiches!

Which is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?