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This easy mocktail recipe is inspired by one I recently enjoyed at a wedding in California. My pregnant friend asked the bartender for a non-alcoholic drink, and once I saw what he made for her, I simply had to try it, too.

It’s shockingly easy, with just three ingredients, but it tastes like a perfectly crafted cocktail. (And it’s far better than the canned mocktails I’ve tried!)

While I love making a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, this one requires no simple syrup to get started, so it’s the one I return to most often.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review

“I made this for a pool party last weekend, and the combination is amazing! The grapefruit flavor makes it taste like a cocktail.”

-Juliette

two mocktails in front of a peach background.

What is a Mocktail?

It’s a handcrafted non-alcoholic drink. It is typically made with a combination of fruit juices, soda water, and ice.

Mocktails aren’t just for those who need to avoid alcohol; they are also perfect for moments when you want to have a fun drink without a hangover the next day.

Ingredients for Easy Mocktails

  • Sparkling water. This bubbly addition makes the drink feel special. I use plain sparkling water or club soda, but a citrus-flavored sparkling water would work, as well.
  • Grapefruit juice. I think this tastes best when you can squeeze your own fresh grapefruit juice, but bottled juice will work in a pinch. The bitterness of the grapefruit mimics the flavor of a real cocktail, minus the alcohol.
  • Orange juice. You can squeeze your own or start with bottled juice.
mocktail ingredients labeled with white background.

How to Make a Mocktail

Step 1:

If you plan to prepare your own juice, start by juicing the orange and grapefruit. When juicing a grapefruit, be sure to use a juicer that will catch the pulp, as there is quite a lot in these large fruits.

You’ll usually get about 1/2 cup of juice from a large grapefruit, enough for 2 servings. (The same goes for a large orange, if you want to make your own orange juice.)

grapefruit juiced and orange juice added to glass.

Step 2:

Fill two 12-ounce glasses with ice, then add 1/4 cup of grapefruit juice and 1/4 cup of orange juice to each. Top them off with a 1/4 cup of sparkling water or club soda, and then these mocktails are ready to serve.

If you prefer a non-bubbly drink, you can use any other liquid you like. Try using iced tea or water as a simple variation.

Serving Tips: Garnish your mocktails with sliced grapefruit, orange slices, or lime slices, and a sprig of fresh mint, if you have some on hand. This drink is best enjoyed immediately, as the flavor can become diluted by the melting ice.

juice and water added to cocktail glasses.

More Mocktail Ideas

  • Mock Moscow Mule. Add the juice of half a lime to a glass of iced ginger beer. Instead of using vodka, you can dilute it with a splash of sparkling water for extra bubbles, and serve it in copper mugs for an authentic look.
  • Virgin Margarita. Combine 1/4 cup of orange juice with 2 tablespoons each of lemon juice and lime juice. Serve over ice, with a splash of sparkling water for a bubbly drink. You can sweeten with agave nectar or maple syrup, to taste.
  • Mojito Mocktail. Made with fresh lime juice and sparkling water, this drink comes together fast thanks to a minty, naturally sweetened simple syrup.
  • Virgin Piña Colada. Mix equal parts pineapple juice and coconut milk, then blend it with frozen pineapple for a creamy frozen drink.
  • Apple Cider Mocktail. Mix equal parts of apple cider with ginger beer for a festive holiday cocktail. You can top this off with a floating star anise to make it look pretty and add an extra hint of spice.
mocktail garnished with grapefruit with blue background.

Mocktail Recipe FAQs

What can I use instead of sparkling water?

For another bubbly option, you can use tonic water or ginger ale, which will add extra sweetness and depth of flavor.

What other juices can I add?

If you want to get extra fancy, you can add pineapple juice or a splash of pomegranate juice. For a different variation, you could also use lemonade instead of orange juice. Simply mixing two juices and adding sparkling water can make a drink feel instantly more luxurious.

Can I make this as a punch for a party?

Yes! In that case, use store-bought juices to save yourself time. Since this mocktail recipe uses a 1:1:1 ratio of juices and sparkling water, it’s very easy to scale as needed. Don’t add the sparkling water until just before your guests arrive, so it stays bubbly for serving.

two mocktails in front of a peach background.

Easy Mocktail Recipe (No Simple Syrup!)

5 from 3 votes
This may not be the first mocktail recipe you've ever tried, but it's going to be your favorite. With just three simple ingredients, it tastes like a perfectly crafted cocktail that you spent time assembling, but it won't leave you with a hangover the next day. No simple syrups required!
prep5 mins cook0 mins total5 mins
Servings:2
PrintRate

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup grapefruit juice
  • ½ cup sparkling water

Instructions

  • If you're juicing your own grapefruit and oranges to make this drink, be sure to use a juicer that will catch the pulp, so it won't go into the final drink. (Grapefruit is quite pulpy!)
  • Fill two 12-ounce glasses with ice, and add a 1/4 cup of orange juice, a 1/4 cup of grapefruit juice, and a 1/4 cup of sparkling water to each glass. Garnish with extra slices of grapefruit, or a slice of lime, to complete the drink. Serve right away for the best flavor; the ice will start to dilute the sweetness as it melts.

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 of 2 drinks. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
To make a larger batch of this drink for a party, please see the tips in the post above!

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 128IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Author: Megan Gilmore
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mocktail
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If you try this easy 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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Comments

  3. I made this for a pool party last weekend, and the combination is amazing! The grapefruit flavor makes it taste like a cocktail.

    Reply

  4. Hello,
    So enjoy your weekly detox food plan!! Thank you.
    In the meantime, this delicious mock tail with ingredients I use to very much enjoy, what can I substitute the grapefruit with? My medication will no more allow me to enjoy grapefruit.

    Thank you for your great work & look forward to your reply.
    Enjoy the long weekend.
    D.G.

    Reply

    1. You can swap the grapefruit juice for a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, instead! I hope you’ll enjoy it.

      Reply

  5. Hi Megan,
    Oh how nice! Mocktails is what I drink now days. I really don’t drink alcohol anymore, with the exception of a glass of wine every now and then. I look forward to making one of these mocktails soon. Thank You.

    Reply

    1. My drinking habits are very similar! (Probably because I still have to get up and parent, no matter what, at 6am… LOL)

      I hope you’ll enjoy this one, Deb!

      Reply