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If you want to enjoy a patriotic drink without artificial food dyes, this mocktail recipe is for you! It’s easy to make and pairs perfectly with your favorite potluck recipes.

Sip on it while enjoying some July 4th fireworks! It’s also perfect for any other patriotic holiday, like Memorial Day or Labor Day.

4th of july mocktail made with apple stars and berries.

Patriotic Mocktail Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice tastes better than the bottled stuff from the store. You can also substitute lime juice, if you prefer, but you’ll get more juice from lemons.
  • Simple syrup. I use honey for a naturally sweetened simple syrup, but you can also purchase a store-bought option to save time.
  • Sparkling water. Plain club soda or a fruity sparkling water will add bubbles to your mocktail, making it feel more special.
  • Fresh fruit. You’ll need a green apple (because it’s less prone to browning), fresh strawberries, and blueberries to complete the red, white, and blue garnishes.
fresh fruit, simple syrup, and sparkling water laying on a marble surface.

How to Make Mocktails for 4th of July

Step 1:

Prepare a batch of honey simple syrup if you haven’t already. It’s simply 1/2 cup of honey mixed with a 1/2 cup of boiled water.

Whisk well until the honey has dissolved, then it’s ready to use. 

simple syrup and sparkling water added to glass.

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Step 2:

In a serving glass, combine three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, three tablespoons of simple syrup, and 3/4 cup of sparkling water. Stir well to combine, then top it off with ice. 

To prepare the garnish, thinly slice a green or yellow apple on a cutting board. (These apples won’t brown as quickly as some red ones do.) 

Then use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out a star shape from the apple.

star cookie cutter used to slice an apple into stars.

Step 3:

Add a star to each glass you make, along with a few fresh red and blue berries. Sliced strawberries or raspberries will work for the red color! Or you could even use a slice of watermelon.

Finish it off with straws and serve right away. You can also garnish this refreshing drink with fresh mint leaves or any other extras you love. 

two glasses topped with apple stars and berries.

Note: This ratio is simply a suggestion! To lower the sugar content, use less simple syrup than this recipe calls for. For a non-sparkling drink, swap the club soda for coconut water and stay extra hydrated in the summer heat. 

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Star Cookie Cutters

Paper Straws

Lemon Juicer

4th of july mocktails with red, white, and blue straws.

4th of July Mocktail Recipe

Make a 4th of July mocktail without using alcohol or artificial food dye! This festive drink looks impressive and takes just minutes to assemble.
prep5 mins cook0 mins total5 mins
Servings:1

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons honey simple syrup
  • ¾ cup sparkling water or club soda
  • ice, for serving
  • sliced strawberries, green apple, and blueberries , for garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare the mocktail by combining the lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water in a serving glass. Stir well then top it off with ice.
  • Thinly slice the green apple into rounds, then use a star-shaped cookie cutter to press a star into each round. (See the photos in the post for guidance.) You'll need to cut the stars shortly before serving, so they won't turn brown.
  • When you're ready to serve the drink, top it off with a few sliced strawberries and blueberries for the red and blue color. Then add an apple star to finish off the look!

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 drink, not including the fruit garnish. This is just an estimate and not a guarantee. Feel free to use less simple syrup for a lower sugar content.
Make Honey Simple Syrup: Combine a 1/2 cup of honey with a 1/2 cup of boiled water. Stir well until the honey has dissolved, then use it as a simple syrup in any recipe that calls for it. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Sparkling Water Note: I like to use lime-flavored sparkling water for extra citrus flavor, but regular club soda or any other flavor will work here, too. I prefer Spindrift brand because it’s made with fruit juice rather than “natural flavors.” (This is not a sponsored post; just my opinion!)
Star Cookie Cutter: The one I’m using is old, but this one looks similar. (affiliate link)

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 4th of july mocktail

If you try this 4th of July Mocktail recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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