11 Mocktail Recipes for Summer

By Elizabeth Laseter
July 02, 2015
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
Our festive nonalcoholic drink recipes are the perfect way to beat the heat.
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Fresh Summer Mocktails

View Recipe: Raspberry-Lime Rickey Slushies

This summer, embrace the mocktail. Packed with fresh fruit and other nutritious ingredients, mocktails are festive and refreshing. From kicked-up iced tea to jalapeño-spiced limeade, our recipes will take you around globe. Note: You’ll want to plan ahead when making these drinks. Many require several hours for the flavors to infuse.

Red raspberries' juicy, perfumey, sweet flavor peaks from late June through August and is just right for this summer cooler. You can spike the drink with an herbaceous, citrusy gin that's distilled in small batches in Philadelphia, or omit the gin for a refreshing mocktail.

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Sweet Heat Arnold Palmer

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sweet Heat Arnold Palmer

Mocktails need not be boring: A habanero chile adds welcome kick to a classic layered Arnold Palmer. The trick to layering beverages is to add liquids to the glass in order of most to least dense. We put most of the sugar into the lemonade (the denser liquid), so be sure to swirl before swigging.

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Blood Orange and Ginger Soda

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Blood Orange and Ginger Soda

Mint is decidedly one of the most refreshing flavors, especially when paired with ginger and blood oranges. This non-alcoholic beverage delivers a delightfully pungent, spicy kick with every sip.

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Flight of the Concords

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Flight of the Concords

Here's a delicious way to cool down on a hot summer day. Concord grapes, Juniper berries, and oranges combined creates a mouth-watering concoction.

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Watermelon-Lime Soda

Credit: Photo: Jeff Kauk
View Recipe: Watermelon-Lime Soda

Why buy canned soda when making it from scratch is so easy? Plus, making your own soda avoids the artificial sugars found in many store-bought varieties. In this recipe, watermelon, ginger, lime, and club soda make for a refreshing combo.

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Spanish Dancer

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Spanish Dancer

This cocktail recipe pairs tangy Cara Cara oranges with saffron and sherry vinegar. The flavor combination is so addictive you'll find yourself craving more.

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Festive Fruit Punch

Credit: Photo: Jan Smith
View Recipe: Festive Fruit Punch

Pineapple, orange, and cranberry juice unite with a splash of tonic for a refreshing summer drink. Dress up each serving with slices of lime, orange, and carambola (also known as starfruit).

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Celery Salty Dog

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Celery Salty Dog

This bittersweet citrus refresher made from fresh red grapefruit juice, celery, and nonalcoholic bitters is the ultimate pick-me-up on a gloomy day.

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Cucumber-Fennel Cooler

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cucumber-Fennel Cooler

To get fresh cucumber juice without a juicer, simply peel your cucumbers, puree them in a blender, transfer the puree to a fine sieve over a large measuring cup, and gently press to extract liquid.

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Blackberry Limeade

Credit: Photo: Jeff kauk
View Recipe: Blackberry Limeade

An unexpectedly refreshing duo of blackberries and lime juice works wonders in this simple concoction. Sugar cuts the tartness, but if you like a little pucker don’t add the full amount. Substitute club soda for the water to make it a mocktail.

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Pineapple Expresso

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pineapple Expresso

Pineapple and coffee?! Don't let this unique flavor combination deter you from pure enjoyment. This mocktail will blow your tastebuds away. Promise.

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By Elizabeth Laseter