Easy Mocktail

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 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

Ingredients for Easy Mocktails

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 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.

That’s it! No simple syrup or added sugar is required.

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 roughly 1/2 cup of juice from a large grapefruit, which is enough to make 2 servings. (The same goes for a large orange, if you want to make your own orange juice.)

Step 2:

Fill two 12-ounce glasses with ice, then add a 1/4 cup of grapefruit juice and orange juice to each glass. 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.

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.
• Mock Margarita. (<- recipe here) Combine a 1/4 cup orange juice with 2 tablespoons each of lemon juice and lime juice. Serve over ice, with a splash of sparkling water if you’d like a bubbly drink. You can sweeten with agave nectar or maple syrup, to taste.
• Mojito Mocktail. (<- recipe here.) Made with fresh lime juice and sparkling water, this drink comes together fast thanks to a minty simple syrup that’s naturally sweetened.
• 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 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.

Easy Mocktail Recipe

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

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Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 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.