As a mixologist, I get extra excited when someone requests a mocktail in one of my classes. Why? Because it’s the perfect opportunity to show that mixology isn’t just about alcohol—it’s about technique, creativity, and flavor. Think: the layering of tastes, the history behind each drink, the pretty glassware (I’m obsessed), and the endless possibilities that exist in the world of beverages.
The truth is, a great mocktail doesn’t need to mimic alcohol or imitate a specific cocktail. Trying to copy the intensity and texture of spirits can leave you with unmet expectations—not fun for anyone. Instead, I like to see non-alcoholic drinks as their own thing: bold, complex, and every bit as sophisticated as their boozy cousins. When you apply classic mixology methods and start playing with flavor combinations, you can create something with depth, excitement, and personality.
Here are some of my favorite ingredients to spark your creativity. Mix, match, and experiment—you’ll surprise yourself with what you can shake (or stir) up.
| Category | Ingredients to Explore |
| Syrups | Falernum, orgeat, honey, kola, passionfruit, coconut, demerara, grenadine, oleo saccharum, shrubs |
| Teas | Mint, chai, black tea, green tea, floral teas |
| Spices | Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, anise, allspice, black pepper |
| Rich Flavors | Coffee, chocolate, tea, coconut, cream |
| Veggies | Cucumber, celery, bell pepper, tomato |
| Extracts & Bitters | Marshmallow, almond, caramel, vanilla, maple, ube, non-alcoholic bitters |
| Oils | Citrus oils (expressed), herb oils (mint, sage, rosemary, basil, thyme, cilantro), Olive oil, Chili oil, herb oil |
| Acid & Complexity | Vinegars, tamarind, smoke |
| Non-Alcoholic Options | NA liqueurs (Lyre’s aperitifs are a favorite), NA beers (Athletic Brewing), NA wines (Surely) |
Whether you’re sipping through Dry January or just exploring a new way to mix drinks, remember this: a beautiful beverage is about the experience—the flavors, the artistry, and that satisfying clink of a well-made glass. So pour something delicious, and cheers to flavor-filled creativity!
Recipes:
Big Dill Mocktail – keeping it fresh in 2025, and nothing says fresh like a cucumber and dill mocktail!
Recipe:
1.5 Oz fresh cucumber juice
3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1.5 oz Seedlip Garden 1081 (I love the other Seedlip products with this, too!) (or, use a bright tea like ginger or chamomile!
3/4 oz simple syrup (1-1 sugar and water)
1 Sprig of fresh dill
5 drops saline (salt) solution, or just a pinch
Soda water
Combine ingredients in a shaker tin and shake hard with ice for 10 seconds. Strain into a highball glass and add approx. 4 oz of soda water. Top with ice, and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a sprig of dill. 🥒
Bitter Lemon Spritz
1.5 oz Abstinence Bitter Lemon Aperitif
½ oz fresh lemon juice
10 drops saline (salt) solution, or just a pinch!
½ can Surely Sparkling Brut
2 oz soda water
Sprig of rosemary
🌶️🍒Chipotle Chili Mocktail! Earthy, smoky, cherry, with a gentle heat ❤️🔥
3 fresh cherries – muddled
3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
2 oz black tea (or tea of your choosing)
5 drops 20% Saline (salt) solution, or just a pinch
2 dashes @additionbitters Chipotle bitters
Tonic Water
Rim a highball glass with tajin seasoning. Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake hard with ice for 10 seconds. Double strain into a prepared highball glass. Thoroughly crush 3 cups of ice in a Lewis bag. Add approx. 3 oz of tonic water to the highball glass, then top the mixture with the crushed ice. Add a straw and garnish with a skewered cherry.
Honeydew You Love Me Mocktail
2 oz honeydew melon juice
2 oz black tea (or tea of your choosing)
1/2 Freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 Liber and Co. Firey Ginger syrup
5 drops saline (salt) solution, or just a pinch!
4 Leaves of mint
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and shake with ice for 10-15 seconds. Double strain into glass with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with honeydew melon balls, and mint sprig.
Stoutini
Recipe:
1 oz Lyre’s Coffee Originale Non-Alcoholic Spirit
1 oz fresh espresso
1/2 oz Liber & Co Orgeat Almond Syrup
4 oz N/A Athletic Brewing’s All Out Extra Dark Beer (or a N/A Stout of your choosing)
2 dashes orange bitters
Orange peel
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and agitate with a spoon to release carbonation. Shake hard with ice for 10-15 seconds, and double strain into a coup. Garnish by expressing orange peel on top, and shaving chocolate on top.
In our classes we teach that 50% of mixology is about experience, which applies to mocktails 100%. Experience the feel of the glass in your hand, the environment you’re in, the interplay of the flavors you choose, the aroma of the garnish, the texture of the bubbles, and (most importantly) the people you enjoy it with. Let the shared ritual of making the drink be what keeps you coming back to this art form, and celebrate the joy of connection, creativity, and intention. Whether you’re crafting a classic mocktail or experimenting with bold new flavors, every sip can be a reminder that great drinks are about more than just alcohol—they’re about savoring the moment. So, this Dry January, embrace mixology as a mindful practice that brings people together, one beautifully crafted beverage at a time.
Katie Slonim is a Cocktail Educator and Entrepreneur.
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