Sip your way through summer with these chef-curated summer mocktails that go beyond the usual lemonade. From a juicy lychee spritzer to a bright yuzu zero-proof margarita, this collection blends seasonal fruits and bold East Asian flavors into refreshing, alcohol-free drinks to keep you hydrated.
As a chef and culinary dietitian with a deep love for ingredients like matcha, lychee, mango, ginger, and more, I've handpicked recipes that deliver on both flavor and vibe. Whether you're winding down after a long day, hosting friends, or just want a cozy solo moment with something chilled and delicious, these easy mocktail recipes make it easy to unwind with something that tastes as good as it looks.
jump to:
- 🩷 taiwanese lychee mocktail
- 🍹 yuzu margarita (alcohol-free version)
- 🍋 lemon mocktail recipes
- 🍸 espresso martini mocktail
- 🍹 guava mocktail
- 🍍 pineapple mocktails
- 🍉 watermelon mocktails
- 🍓 strawberry mocktails
- 🫚 blackberry peach ginger beer mocktail
- 🍓 raspberry lime rickey
- 🫐 blueberry lavender lemon mocktail
- 💚 vietnamese lime iced tea
- 🍈 melon mocktails
- 🍊 blood orange kombucha spritzer
- 🥭 mango mocktails
- 🍑 fresh peach spritzer
- 🍊 margarita mocktail with an orange twist
- 🟣 aronia berry mocktail
- 🍹 tamarind iced tea sipper
- 🔪 useful kitchen tools & equipment
- ❄️ storage
- ✨ Cindy's top expert tips
- ❔ FAQs
- 💭 final thoughts
- 🧋 more drinks & summer recipes
- 💬 reviews + comments
update notes: I've updated this post on July 9, 2025, to swap out two drinks I wanted to highlight. Some formatting changes and photo updates were made as well. Cheers!
🩷 taiwanese lychee mocktail
An easy and refreshing lychee drink for the lychee lovers like me! Make it in less than 10 minutes and you'll feel like you're sipping a spritzer with a twist at a nice restaurant.
why you'll love this recipe
- This recipe is super easy to make!
- Lychee has a delicate, slightly floral, and sweet flavor that makes this drink wonderfully unique.
- It's refreshing to drink and doesn't leave a heavy aftertaste.
- You can easily make it into a delicious cocktail, which means two drinks in one.
🍹 yuzu margarita (alcohol-free version)
Try this delicious twist on a classic margarita by infusing it with yuzu flavor! The yuzu will offer a refreshing citrusy flavor to the traditional sweet and salty margarita!
why you'll love this recipe
- This recipe includes both the mocktail version (right below the recipe card) and a cocktail version, so you can whip up a batch of both if you have guests imbibing in alcohol.
- It's easily customizable if you want to swap the yuzu for a different flavor!
- The mocktail version is made with only 4 ingredients.
🍋 lemon mocktail recipes
matcha lemonade
Matcha lemonade is fresh and energizing - perfect for a hot summer day! In under 10 minutes, you'll be sipping a refresher that's even better than expensive coffee shops.
why you'll love this recipe
- Super quick and easy recipe with a beautiful gradient color!
- Made with freshly squeezed lemonade.
- Matcha has caffeine in it, so it'll give you a boost in energy.
refreshing lemon mocktail
Made with lemon, honey, grapefruit, and chamomile tea, this summer mocktail isn't lacking in flavor! Enjoy sipping on this sweet and citrusy beverage with a burst of herbal tea.
why you'll love this recipe
- Chamomile is soothing so this could make a great post-dinner mocktail to help you wind down for the day.
- If you don't want to wind down, use a different kind of tea. Green tea would add a nice grassy flavor!
- This recipe calls for only 4 ingredients.
🍸 espresso martini mocktail
Espresso martinis are all the rage, but you don't need alcohol to enjoy this caffeinated pick-me-up! This mocktail version is made with espresso, chocolate bitters, heavy cream, and simple syrup.
why you'll love this recipe
- It's creamy and chocolatey!
- You only need 4 ingredients.
- It has all the same flavor and sophistication as an espresso martini.
🍹 guava mocktail
Guava is mouthwatering, juicy, and fruity - perfect for a mocktail on a hot summer's day! Just four extra ingredients, including shredded coconut for garnish, come together to make this festive and refreshing mocktail.
why you'll love this recipe
- Guava and coconut water are super hydrating and refreshing!
- It's just as festive as a fun summer cocktail. Make this beverage for a party!
- The shredded coconut around the rim adds texture and fresh coconut flavor.
🍍 pineapple mocktails
pineapple mojito mocktail
This tropical mocktail is sweet, fresh, and thirst-quenching! Made with fresh pineapple and mint leaves, this drink will transport your tastebuds straight to the beach with the ocean crashing in the distance!
why you'll love this recipe
- It takes only 10 minutes to make this luxurious beverage!
- Sparkling water adds a bit of refreshing fizziness to the drink.
- The fresh ingredients make this mocktail taste like an island dream!
pineapple cooler
Pineapple juice, limeade, and club soda make this deliciously fresh summer beverage! This recipe also shares how to make homemade fresh limeade if you have the time.
why you'll love this recipe
- It's sweet, fresh, and icy!
- Pineapple gives the drink a tropical feel that's perfect for summer.
- Includes tips to make it alcoholic with four different versions of the recipe explained!
pina colada mocktail
Creamy coconut and tangy pineapple make the most delicious drink! Each sip is full of summery sunshine and fruity goodness!
why you'll love this recipe
- It's a creamy dreamy pina colada in mocktail-form.
- Swap the pineapple for your favorite fruit - maybe mango or strawberries!
- You can make this drink either blended or shaken.
pineapple passion fruit lemonade
This pineapple passion fruit lemonade calls for three simple fresh ingredients, which means it's a heck of a lot more delicious than the Starbucks® version!
why you'll love this recipe
- Instead of the freeze-dried fruit that some coffee shops use, this recipe is fresh and fruity!
- You can add sparkling water to give it a refreshing fizz.
- Lasts in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days!
spicy pineapple margarita mocktail
This pineapple margarita mocktail is perfectly sweet and spicy! Adding pineapple to a classic marg is delicious enough, but add jalapeno and a chili salt rim, and you've got the drink of the summer!
why you'll love this recipe
- It's spicy and sweet!
- You can adjust the spice level based on your preference.
- This recipe is perfect for a backyard BBQ!
🍉 watermelon mocktails
pro tip: see how chefs cut watermelon with step-by-step photos, or watch this coconut watermelon drink video.
You can also scan the QR code below for the same video from The Sound of Cooking® YouTube channel:
frozen watermelon margarita mocktail
Is there anything better than watermelon in the summer? Make this simple frozen watermelon margarita mocktail by freezing watermelon slices and then blending them with salt and lime juice.
why you'll love this recipe
- It's so simple with just a few ingredients like watermelon and fresh lime juice.
- The hint of salt makes this extra hydrating and brings out the watermelon flavor.
- It's a cold, refreshing slushie that'll help you beat the heat!
refreshing coconut watermelon sipper
This cooler made with hydrating coconut milk and fresh watermelon juice is a throwback to my childhood in Taiwan! It's refreshing, satisfying, and made with only 4 ingredients.
why you'll love this recipe
- You can add Medjool dates for a sweeter finish.
- It's creamy from the coconut milk.
- Freeze watermelon cubes to make this drink ice cold without diluting it.
- I mention where to get yellow and orange watermelon in California if you want to experiment with different colors!
watermelon agua fresca
An agua fresca is a non-alcoholic drink made from sugar, water, and fresh fruit, and there's no better summer fruit than watermelon! This mocktail is light, refreshing, and customizable!
why you'll love this recipe
- Add lime juice to your fresca for more of a tangy citrus flavor.
- Garnish with fresh ingredients like lime and/or mint for an added refreshing element.
- This drink will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container!
🍓 strawberry mocktails
sparkling ginger strawberry lemonade
This sparkling pink lemonade is made simply with berry puree, lemon, and sparkling water. Add ginger syrup for an earthy layer of flavor to complement the sweet berries!
why you'll love this recipe
- Looks so good with all that pink berry color - your kids will love it!
- It's not overly sweet!
strawberry cilantro mocktail
Use strawberry sparkling water and a couple more simple ingredients to make a strawberry cilantro mocktail. This beverage will give you the fruity herbal flavor combo that's oh-so-perfect in the summer.
why you'll love this recipe
- Cilantro is such a fresh and herbal addition to a beverage without being overpowering.
- The strawberry sparkling water is the perfect balance of fruity and fizzy!
- You can swap the cilantro for mint, rosemary, or basil.
strawberry mocktail
Strawberry, lemon, and basil balance the sweet and tart flavors of this mocktail to perfection. This easy-to-make recipe will give you that summer feeling no matter what time of year it is.
why you'll love this recipe
- You can add a tajín or sugar rim!
- Swap the basil for mint or rosemary - or omit the herbs entirely.
- Add watermelon for an even more fruity flavor.
beautiful ginger beer hibiscus mocktail
These African-inspired ginger beer hibiscus mocktails are about to steal your heart! The passion fruit, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer will send you on a trip directly to the hot sunny days and white sandy beaches of Sierra Leone!
why you'll love this recipe
- There's layer upon layer of fruity goodness between the strawberries, hibiscus, and passion fruit!
- The ginger beer levels out the fruity flavors with a subtle spiciness.
- Both the grownups and kids will be chugging glasses of this mocktail!
🫚 blackberry peach ginger beer mocktail
Speaking of ginger beer, here's another mocktail that tastes like summer in a cup! This one is a fruity version of a Moscow mule - full of juicy peaches and fresh blackberries!
why you'll love this recipe
- You can use frozen blackberries, peaches, and mint, which means you can have the ingredients you need on hand pretty much all the time!
- Swap the ginger beer for ginger ale if that's easier for you.
- This recipe includes a note for how to make a boozy version too.
🍓 raspberry lime rickey
A refreshing drink using summer raspberries that doesn't require turning on the stove to make simple syrup! Described as the "cool older cousin of a Sonic cherry limeade."
why you'll love this recipe
- It's simple to make with fresh or frozen raspberries.
- You only need 5 ingredients, including ice.
- It's also decaf!
🫐 blueberry lavender lemon mocktail
This blueberry lavender lemon mocktail is full of sweet and sour flavor! Plus, enjoy an aromatic experience from the freshly steeped lavender tea. It's elegant and perfect for brunch with friends!
why you'll love this recipe
- You can use the leftover blueberry syrup on your waffles, pancakes, or in a smoothie!
- Lavender tea has been known to calm and de-stress.
- You can customize this recipe by swapping the blueberries for peaches or pears - they go well with lavender!
💚 vietnamese lime iced tea
You'll love this popular Vietnamese street drink, tra chanh hanoi (lime iced tea), where you get the perfect balance of green tea with bright citrus and a smooth sweetness from honey. It makes me want to visit Hanoi again!
why you'll love this recipe
- It's simple and refreshing with just a handful of ingredients!
- This recipe will take you to the streets of Hanoi, Vietnam.
- You can easily scale up this recipe (per the recipe developer's notes), making it perfect for summer gatherings.
🍈 melon mocktails
cucumber melon spritzer
Cool off with this refreshing cucumber melon spritzer! All you need to do is blend, strain, and stir it with some sparkling water.
why you'll love this recipe
- Melon and cucumber are such an incredibly refreshing combination!
- The fresh mint gives it a cooling effect!
- The cucumber will keep you feeling hydrated, refreshed, and nourished!
cantaloupe ginger sipper
This refreshing beverage is made of blended fruit - strained and then sweetened. You're going to love how the ginger plays with the sweetness of cantaloupe, especially as you're sipping it ice-cold!
why you'll love this recipe
- The cantaloupe and ginger brighten the drink with a unique summery flavor!
- You can add other watery fruits like watermelon and honeydew to this recipe.
🍊 blood orange kombucha spritzer
Blood orange and ginger kombucha, a fermented tea that I drank as a kid (apparently with Chinese origins). Kombucha is a bit tangy and bubbly, perfect for a refreshing drink, though keep in mind it's not completely zero-proof due to the fermentation.
why you'll love this recipe
- It's easy to make, yet blood orange brings a unique aesthetic to this drink.
- Even though ginger brings a little spice, it's quite refreshing in kombucha form.
- You can customize this recipe by swapping the kombucha with a different flavor - Pink Lady Apple, Ginger-Lemon, Passionfruit Tangerine, and Blood Orange Carrot Ginger flavors (*paid affiliate links) from Health-Ade would taste great with this recipe!
🥭 mango mocktails
easy mango mocktail
Enjoy a mango mojito with fresh mint and lime juice! It's topped with sparkling water for a refreshing fizzy sipper.
why you'll love this recipe
- Make it in less than 5 minutes!
- You can easily switch up the flavor based on which kind of fruit mojito you'd like that day.
- Make it spicy by adding a Tajín or jalapeño salt rim!
refreshing mangonada
You may have seen the chamoy pickle craze all over TikTok, but this Mango Chamoyada (aka mangonada) is even better! The chamoy sauce gives this blended mango slushie drink a spicy kick that's perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
why you'll love this recipe
- Chamoy and tajín give this mocktail a spicy kick, and spicy things tend to help cool you off in the summer heat.
- This drink is an ice-cold slushie to soothe your mouth after you get a hit of spice.
bengali aam panna (green mango mocktail)
This mocktail has a unique flavor profile because the green mango is roasted before it's blended, which means it adds a smoky grilled-like flavor to this mocktail. The whole drink winds up being sweet, smoky, and refreshing!
why you'll love this recipe
- The smoky flavor is unmatched!
- It has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
- You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week!
🍑 fresh peach spritzer
The fresh peach in this spritzer will help you quench your thirst in the summer heat! Blend your own peach puree and then mix it with sparkling water (like Topo Chico!) for a simple and refreshing drink.
why you'll love this recipe
- This recipe also includes instructions to make this a fresh peach margarita mocktail!
- Made with only 2 ingredients!
- Uses fresh peach puree - so good!
🍊 margarita mocktail with an orange twist
This margarita mocktail is perfect for any time of the day and any age! It's light, fresh, and citrusy!
why you'll love this recipe
- It's has all the bold flavors of a margarita but without the alcohol!
- This recipe is full of fresh citrus.
- Add your favorite fruit like strawberry or watermelon to this recipe for more of a fruity twist.
🟣 aronia berry mocktail
Aronia berry, also known as chokeberry, looks similar to blueberries, but they have more of a sour flavor. This mocktail combines the unique aronia berry with citrus, ginger, and sugar to create a unique refreshment!
why you'll love this recipe
- This mocktail is vegan!
- If this recipe's flavors are too strong, dilute it with ginger ale or soda water.
- Add a cherry garnish for even more flavor.
🍹 tamarind iced tea sipper
Tamarind (or tamarindo) has a sour taste that, when mixed with sugar, creates a delicious sweet and sour flavor. Whip up a batch of this tamarind iced tea to impress your guests!
why you'll love this recipe
- Tamarind has a unique, and mouthwatering, flavor. Once you try it, you're going to fall in love!
- If you don't feel like making your own tamarind paste, you can buy it online or at a local Thai or Asian grocery store.
🔪 useful kitchen tools & equipment
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These are some of my favorite kitchen tools for making cocktails, mocktails, smoothies, and more! I think the shaker and strainer will be your best bet for most of these recipes, but if you ever want to make a "frozen" version of a mocktail, you'll need a blender to make a slushy.
- Vitamix blender (*affiliate link)
- Nutribullet pro (*affiliate link)
- Cocktail shaker and strainer (*affiliate link)
- Drinking glasses (*affiliate link)
❄️ storage
Your mocktails will be best enjoyed served immediately, but you can save and prepare some of the individual ingredients.
- If you have leftover fruit or you want to chop your fruit for a frozen mocktail ahead of time, store the pre-cut slices in a Souper Cubes Freezer Tray (*affiliate link)
- You can also store smoothie mocktails in Souper Cubes Molds (*affiliate link).
- Or store homemade simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
If you want to prep your mocktail for a party ahead of time, you can generally mix it up and store it in the refrigerator, covered, for a few hours. Stir it before serving to re-incorporate all the ingredients that may have separated.
Anything beyond a couple of hours, I would keep any citrus and citrus juice separate (such as lemon, lime, orange juice, and slices). This helps to prevent the drink from turning slightly bitter. That's how I prepped drinks in professional kitchens when cooking for weddings and private events.
Be sure to check each individual mocktail recipe to see if there are notes about how to store it.
✨ Cindy's top expert tips
Here are some of my top tips for making mocktails elegant, delicious, and flavorful!
- Garnish with fresh fruit and herbs for added color, texture, and flavor.
- You can also freeze some fruit and blend it into your mocktail instead of blending it with ice cubes, which will water it down.
- Add a dash of sparkling water or tonic for a fizzy element.
- Use a cocktail shaker to mix your ingredients!
❔ FAQs
Sparkling water or tonic is a go-to base for mocktails because it adds that crisp, bubbly texture that makes a drink feel more special. The fizziness lifts and carries flavors in a way that still feels light and refreshing. You can also play around with flavored sparkling waters or infuse your own to build in more depth without making things overly sweet.
Using fresh, seasonal ingredients is the top chef's tip for making a good mocktail! You are welcome to use store-bought fruit juice if you're under a time crunch, but it's always worth it to use fresh juice and fruit. Even fresh lime, lemon, and orange juice will make a big difference in the final product (this is from my experience making drinks for the many weddings and private events I've cooked for!).
💭 final thoughts
I hope you enjoy sipping on these delicious mocktails throughout the summer season (or all year long)! I know so many of them will transport you to a tropical vacation even if you're sitting in your house.
Let me know which recipe is your favorite!
🧋 more drinks & summer recipes
If you're looking for more refreshing recipe ideas, give these a try:
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. If you make any of these recipes, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @thesoundofcooking. I would love to see what you make!
Happy cooking! ~ Cindy 周昀
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