21 Non-Alcoholic Cocktails For Dry January

This Mai Tai Mocktail Has a Caffeinated Kick Recipe

There are few drinks that scream "tropical cocktail" quite like a mai tai, but it's also a spectacularly boozy drink, which isn't always the best choice when you're dealing with hot, humid weather. That's why this non-alcoholic mai tai, from Bar LunÀtico in Brooklyn, New York, is a refreshing change of pace—though it still has a kick, much like the original. That's because this mai tai mocktail is made with cold brew concentrate instead of rum. And though the cold brew is great for waking you up and cooling you off, the nutty, chocolate notes of the coffee also "deepen the almond qualities of the orgeat" that's traditional in a good mai tai as Cameron Holmes, Bar LunÀtico's bar manager, explained in an email.

Holmes's take on this non-alcoholic tropical drink is made with acid-adjusted orange juice, which, he says, "provides the zip alcohol normally offers." Holmes basically turns up the acid content of the orange juice by adding citric acid, the same stuff that makes sour candies sour. "Some folks are more exacting and use a pH meter," he notes, "but I usually do it to taste." You can make your own acid-adjusted orange juice by mixing eight ounces of fresh-squeezed, strained orange juice with about one tablespoon and one teaspoon of food grade citric acid, until it's about the acidity of lime juice.

Using this amped up orange juice in combination with the cold brew coffee and orgeat will leave you with an easy-to-make tropical mocktail that's "complex, bright, caffeinated, and especially excellent when consumed on our back patio," says Holmes, though any outdoor seating will do in a pinch.

Cold Brew Mai Tai

Bama Breeze Mocktail Recipe

Sparkling Citrus Punch with Lemonade Ice Cubes Recipe

This refreshing, bright cocktail tastes like sunshine in a glass and the Lemonade Ice Cubes keep this big-batch drink cold without diluting it. If you’re gearing up for a weekend brunch, a bridal luncheon, or let’s be honest, any event, this cool sipper should be in every glass on your table. Don’t get us wrong, we love a classic mimosa as much as the next person, but why have the same old thing when you could jazz it up? Kick those tired drink recipes to the side and make room for this sparkling addition to your recipe book. This drink is bursting with multiple citrus flavors for a refreshing effect that may make you feel like you should be sitting on a beach. The elderflower liqueur (we used St-Germain) adds a slightly sweet, floral quality that further sets this drink apart from its mimosa-esque cousins. This effervescent drink is delicious on it’s own, but the Lemonade Ice Cubes are a strike of genius from our Test Kitchen professionals. The lemonade ice cubes will cool this drink off (without watering it down) on a hot afternoon by the pool. The hostess in us has to admit—the Lemonade Ice Cubes make for a pretty presentation for a luncheon table, too. This Sparkling Citrus Punch with Lemonade Ice Cubes will be your signature spring and summer drink.

Sparkling Limeade Iced Coffee Is the Opposite of Swamp Butt Recipe

In 2015, people were all abuzz over the coffee tonic. By 2016, coffee lemonade was a minor frenzy among people who pay attention to these sorts of things. Has there yet been an official coffee and citrus-based iced beverage declared for Summer 2017? Let's go ahead and say that sparkling limeade cold brew coffee is gonna be your beverage jam for next few months. Let's even call it something like the Electro Lime or Turbo Lime or SparCoLime or some such—that part doesn't matter. The important thing is that you introduce sparkling limeade iced coffee into your body early and frequently while it's disturbingly hot outside. 

Sparkling limeade iced coffee is pretty much the sensory opposite of hot car vinyl or a crowded subway car. It is best served spine-tinglingly cold, packs a lovely carbonation-caffeination one-two punch, and makes a strange, beautiful balance of sweet, tart, bitter, chill, sparkle, and bliss. Still hung up on the coffee and citrus thing? Think of it this way: You wouldn't bat an eye at an iced tea and lemonade mash-up, would you? You'd just call that an Arnold Palmer and get on with your day. Limeade is even better than lemonade, iced coffee is better than iced tea. Accept that truth, and give yourself the bliss of an open mind and palate. If an added splash of rum, tequila, or your favorite clear spirit helps get you there, so be it.

While you can just toss your favorite commercial limeade into cold brew and get on with your day, you may find your consumption rate necessitates a batch situation. This method also lets you keep things fresh, fizzy, and a la minute with minimal effort.

Sparkling Limeade Iced Coffee

Sparkling Lime Paloma Recipe

Sparkling Pimm's Punch Recipe

Sparkling Ice Cream Floats with Berries Recipe

Who knew the ultimate summer dessert would be the simplest you’ve ever made? These delightfully sweet and boozy floats take only a few ingredients and about two seconds to whip up, but trust us—they are always sure to impress. Rossini is a sparkling wine beverage, usually Prosecco-based, that is mixed with strawberries and raspberries. It is sweeter and fruitier than a rosé or other sparkling wine so it makes a delicious combination with rich vanilla ice cream (we especially love Häagen-Dazs brand here). We found a great one at Trader Joe’s for just about $6, but if you have a hard time finding rossini, you can definitely use your favorite rosé. 

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch Recipe

There's no better time to break out the punch bowl, and this fizzy, fruity cocktail will help everyone get into the holiday spirit.

Sparkling Herb and Lemon Spritzer Recipe

As refreshing as lemonade but more nuanced, this spritzer includes an infusion of four herbs.

Sparkling Matcha Mint Cocktail Recipe

Floral honey, fresh herbs, and verdant green-tea powder make for an effervescent springtime sipper.
 

Flight of the Concords Recipe

Is a cocktail without booze still a cocktail? Absolutely. This lively sip featuring juniper berries and concord grapes proves that a well-crafted beverage need not give the drinker a buzz to create one.

Spanish Dancer Recipe

Pineapple Expresso Recipe

Coffee and pineapple? Yep, it's unexpected... but delicious. This caffeinated tiki-inspired mocktail offers an incredible balance of depth contributed by the cold brew coffee and orgeat and tropical brightness from the pineapple juice. You can find orgeat, a simple syrup made with almonds and orange flower or rose water, in specialty food stores or online. Keep your beverage especially cool (and full-flavored) by freezing your pineapple cubes before adding them to the drink.
 

Blood Orange and Ginger Soda Recipe

A ginger simple syrup infuses this vibrant orange drink with zingy personality while fresh mint provides a cooling herbaceous balance. Fresh basil would be equally delicious in place of the mint.

Celery Salty Dog Recipe

A traditional Salty Dog cocktail is comprised of vodka and grapefruit juice served in a glass with a salted rim. This non-alcoholic take on the classic brings a peppery twist into the mix with the addition of a celery simple syrup and bitters for depth. Dynmic and refreshing, this is sweet and salty sip is a must-make.

Shirley Temple Recipe

A sweet pairing of grenadine and soda– it’s no wonder the Shirley Temple is a favorite for children and adults alike!

Pineapple-Citrus Punch Recipe

Break out the punch bowl for a sparkly, citrusy, pineapple punch fun for crowds of all ages. This also makes a great spiked punch; simply subsitute seltzer chilled vodka.

Watermelon-Lime Coolers Recipe

Pink Lemonade Recipe

Peach-Thyme Iced Tea Recipe

If you have an herb garden, let it shine by clipping some fresh sprigs of thyme for this recipe. Also, if you've picked up some ripe (or even overripe) peaches, they work absolutely perfectly in this refreshing iced tea. 

Holiday Brunch Tonic Recipe

This fizzy beverage takes on a festive feel with the scent of rosemary-infused sugar syrup. Garnish with extra rosemary sprigs, if desired. Serve shortly after mixing everything together so the tonic will sparkle.