From Dry January to Sober October, this has been the Year of the Mocktail. For lots of reasons, lots of people are opting for refreshing and celebratory non-alcoholic beverages in lieu of wine, champagne and spirits right now. If you’re among them, or if you’re hosting a holiday party or family gathering where a range of drinks is necessary, you’re in luck. We rounded up a list of 10 healthy, easy and convenient mocktail drinks perfect to serve to celebrate the 2023 holidays.
best mocktail drinks for holiday parties this year
About half of U.S. adults (and two-thirds of those ages 21 to 34) say they’re trying to drink less, according to our friends at the market-research firm Nielsen. But, are they having fun?
Healthy, easy and convenient non-alcoholic mocktail drinks perfect to serve to celebrate the 2023 holidays.
Yes! And feeling good the next day too. Though non-alcoholic beverage options used to be limited to O’Douls or a syrupy sweet soda and juice combo, there are now so many compelling options for a booze-free night.
The best non-alcoholic drinks feel special and sophisticated. Using botanicals, adaptogens and inventive recipes, these beverages never feel like a bad substitute — but have a style and bold flavor that stand on their own. As someone who lacks the enzyme to break down alcohol and flushes a very unattractive bruised red color when drinking, I’ve been waiting for this day FOREVER.
Healthy, easy and convenient non-alcoholic mocktail drinks perfect to serve to celebrate the 2023 holidays.
If you’re hosting parties this holiday season, check out these non-alcoholic options to serve guests who may also have this strange but true allergy. And, if not, designated drivers, wellness gurus, and sober folks alike will all appreciate the thoughtfulness…and yumminess. To further elevate the experience, specially shaped ice cubes and a bit of garnish — a sprig of mint, a citrus peel, go a long way!
10 easy and healthy mocktail drinks for the holiday 2023 season
1. Curious Elixirs “#1”
We begin our list of easy mocktail drinks for 2023 holiday parties with delicious and dare we say healthy option. Each flavor on Curious Elixir’s menu is a collaboration between world-class bartenders, herbalists, and food scientists. For an alcohol-free buzz, they channel the mysterious and aphrodisiac properties of plants to increase serotonin and dopamine. Cocktail No.1 is inspired by a classic Negroni and uses a citrus-pomegranate juice blended with gentian root and rhodiola extracts.
BUY NOW – $36.00 for 4 bottles.
2. Seedlip “Garden”
This gorgeous Apple Highball was created from London-based distillery, Seedlip. The award-winning brand uses a bespoke, six-week maceration, distillation, filtration, and blending process – where each individual botanical ingredient is distilled separately, before blending. This process results in a liquid devoid of alcohol and sugar. Garden is a fresh, herbal blend of peas & traditional garden herbs including rosemary, thyme and spearmint. Just add apple juice, soda water, lemon juice and maple syrup and you’ve got yourself an upscale cocktail.
BUY NOW – $32.00 for 700 mL.
3. For Bitter For Worse“Eva’s Spritz”
The husband and wife team behind For Bitter For Worse believe a well-stocked bar includes alcohol-free cocktails. Their three-step patented process starts with macerating a proprietary blend of herbs and botanicals in neutral alcohol and water. The alcohol is then extracted to create a “spirit base.” Finally, it’s all mixed with special flavors to create a signature drink. Eva’s Spritz is a bright and refreshing blend of rhubarb and 12 botanicals (including hibiscus, monk fruit and roasted dandelion root) based on a classic Italian Aperitivo.
BUY NOW – $28.00 for 750mL.
4. Pentire “Adrift “
Pentire’s botanical non-alcoholic spirits are perfect as a gin and tonic alternative. There are two distinct flavor profiles: Adrift (herbaceous) and Seaward (zesty). Both were created after extensive research and collaboration with local botanists, distillers and mixologists on the Cornish coast. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay even called it the “most delicious non-alcoholic drink.”
BUY NOW – $37.99 for 700mL.
5. Ghia “Apéritif”
Inspired by Mediterranean apéritivo culture, Ghiais a collection of social tonics that have “all of the spirit, none of the booze.” This bottle is packed with pure, natural extracts in a sweet and sparkling base of white grape and yuzu juice. Be sure to check out their site for inventive, party-ready cocktail recipes. And if you really want to go for it, put in a little prep in advance and follow their garnishes — edible flowers, pineapple leaves, and shredded coconut to really impress.
BUY NOW – $38.00 for 535mL.
6. Starla “Sparkling Rosé”
The Starla team sources grapes from farms all over California for their fun and festive non-alcoholic wines. The fermenting process is the same process one would use to make any other wine. After fermentation, they remove the alcohol using a cone technology — as opposed to removing alcohol via heat, which helps maintain the same flavor, body and mouthfeel as a traditional wine. This sparkling rosé has dry and bright botanicals of strawberry blossom, citrus, and lychee.
BUY NOW – $19.95 per bottle.
7. Thomson & Scott “Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay”
Noughty is an alcohol-free and low sugar sparkling sourced from 100% Organic Chardonnay grapes from Spain. As a B Corp certified company, sustainability is emphasized from the moment the grapes leave the vineyards — making sure every step is as environmentally conscious as possible. But it’s the taste that makes this bottle a cult-favorite. Reviewers love its crisp and dry palate that is not too sweet and tastes just like the real thing.
BUY NOW – $21.99 for 750mL.
8. Gnista “Barreled Oak”
Closing our list of easy mocktail drinks for 2021 holiday parties is a deliciously warming beverage that anyone can imbibe. With ancient spirit making techniques, modern gastronomy and state-of-the-art technology, Gnista is making fine non-alcoholic spirits so you can “party like there’s a tomorrow.” Barreled Oak is akin to a smoky bourbon. Sip it on the rocks or mixed with premium soda water or tonic. Gnista has a full body mouthfeel with notes of warm spices and chocolate rye. Batched by hand in Sweden, this is a truly distinct drink made to warm up the mood.
BUY NOW – $35.99 for 50cL.
the best mocktail drinks of holiday 2023
There you have it — 8 easy, delicious, healthy and sophisticated non-alcoholic drinks to say Cheers! with during the year end holidays. And into the new year ahead. Enjoy the holiday, dear reader.
