How to Make Great Mocktails

The building blocks of a satisfying non-alcoholic drink, so it never feels like an afterthought.

Balance still matters

A good mocktail uses the same balance of sweet, sour, and bitter or aromatic elements as a great cocktail — just without the alcohol. Skipping that balance is why so many mocktails taste like plain juice.

Build in complexity

Fresh citrus, muddled herbs like mint or basil, and a good bitters-free shrub or syrup add layers of flavor that a single juice or soda can't provide on its own.

Don't skip the garnish and glassware

Serving a mocktail in the same glassware and with the same care as a cocktail — a proper garnish, a nice glass, fresh ice — makes it feel intentional rather than like a consolation drink.

Where to start

Our Virgin Mojito and Virgin Moscow Mule are built on the same templates as their alcoholic counterparts and are a great place to start experimenting.