Fall Mocktail Recipes 2023: 12 Satisfying & Cozy Sips

Sasha Purdy
·6 min read

As someone who rarely drinks, my relationship with alcohol has always been distant. Sure, I’ll have a glass of wine or a cocktail here and there, but I find that the negative physical side effects, namely the headaches, heart palpitations, and dizziness, outweigh the positive for me. Living in a culture consumed by alcohol isn’t always easy, but being sober doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the social experience of drinking.

Of course, there are countless reasons for choosing sobriety. Maybe you’re sober curious, or trying to get pregnant, or simply don’t enjoy the taste of alcohol—and that’s totally fine. Even if you’re recovering from a hangover and choosing not to drink for a single night, no judgement here! Opting for a mocktail will allow you the satisfaction of drinking a fancy beverage in the company of friends while also keeping you energized, and even providing stellar health benefits.

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There’s something about the fall season in particular that leaves me eager to light a candle, cuddle up in a warm blanket, and enjoy a cozy beverage. So if you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing and actually tasty mocktail to enjoy this autumn, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading to explore the many non-alcoholic drink options that I will be obsessing over all season long.

1. Ginger Grapefruit Refresher

Packed with antioxidant-rich citrus and ginger, this tangy and spicy refresher from content creator and health blogger Olivia Noceda is the ultimate immune-boosting comfort drink to enjoy on a cozy fall day.

Click here to read the full article.

Ingredients:

  • 2 knobs ginger

  • 1 sprig thyme

  • 1 oz lime juice

  • 0.5 oz maple syrup

  • 2 oz grapefruit juice

  • 2 oz cold black tea

  • Sparkling water

  • Tajin (on the rim)

  • Ice

2. Blueberry Mojito

As a self-proclaimed mint addict, I am obsessed with this super simple blueberry mojito from @mocktailgirlie on TikTok (it’s literally only four ingredients!). Grab some fresh blueberries, lime, and mint leaves and muddle them together. Top it with your favorite sparkling beverage and you’ve got a fresh and delicious, bubbly beverage.

Ingredients: 

  • Fresh blueberries

  • 5 mint leaves

  • 1 oz lime juice

  • Club soda or sparkling water

3. Sparkling Apple Cider Pomegranate Mocktail

Apple cider has always been a staple autumnal treat for me, so this mocktail recipe from chef and New York Times best-selling cookbook author Gabby Dalkin is especially nostalgic. Pomegranate and lemon juice help cut the sweetness of the apple cider to provide a perfect mélange of fruity flavors.

Ingredients: 

  • 4 oz sparkling apple cider

  • 1 oz pomegranate juice

  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

  • Pomegranate arils and lemon twist for garnish

4. Non-Alcoholic Negroni

Looking for a mocktail that seriously tastes like alcohol? Allow me to introduce Food Network lead recipe developer Amanda Neal’s non-alcoholic negroni, assembled with various non-alcoholic spirits, grenadine, and of course, orange peel. You’ll forget why you ever willingly dropped $20 on a cocktail when you get a sip of this sober-friendly masterpiece.

Ingredients: 

  • 1 ½ oz non-alcoholic gin

  • 1 oz non-alcoholic apertivo

  • 1 oz non-alcoholic vermouth

  • ¼ oz grenadine

  • ½ oz tonic water

  • Orange peel, for serving

5. Pumpkin Spice Mocktini

Pumpkin spice season is upon us! This deliciously comforting seasonal twist on the classic espresso martini is going to be my personal addiction for spooky season. Check out Olivia Noceda’s recipe here.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz non-alcoholic spirit

  • 1-2 oz pumpkin spice simple syrup (you can purchase pre-made syrup or create your own following this recipe)

  • Double espresso shot

  • Dash of vanilla extract

  • Graham crackers and caramel syrup for rim (optional)

6. Virgin Sangria

This versatile, fruit-focused classic from Natalie Battaglia, creator of The Mindful Mocktail mixology blog, uses non-alcoholic red wine and various fruits for a rich and satisfying sip.

Ingredients: 

  • 1 orange sliced into rings

  • 1 lemon sliced into rings

  • 2 tbsp (35 ml) maple syrup or sweetener of choice

  • 5 oz orange juice

  • Non-alcoholic red wine

  • Sparkling beverage of choice (optional)

7. Matcha Affogato

If you’re looking for a creamy dessert drink, you’re going to adore this earthy and sweet matcha affogato recipe from Shayna’s Kitchen. I was never the biggest fan of matcha until I was recently introduced to Pique’s Organic Sun Goddess Matcha. This ceremonial grade matcha mix is organic, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free, and it truly tastes unlike any other matcha I’ve ever had. Matcha is packed with incredible health benefits, such as promoting calm energy, clarifying and brightening skin, and supporting lipid metabolism, so why not make this your go-to?

Ingredients:

  • ½ – 1 tsp matcha, depending on how strong you’d like it

  • Filtered water

  • Vanilla bean gelato or gelato of your choice

8. Cherry & Thyme Mocktail

Your friends are bound to be impressed when you whip up a gorgeous cherry and thyme mocktail at your fall dinner party. This soothing health elixir’s fresh cherries and cherry juice contain melatonin and tryptophan, which will help boost your mood and give you the best sleep of your life. Check out the full recipe from @olivianoceda on TikTok.

Ingredients: 

  • 6-8 cherries, pitted

  • A few sprigs of thyme

  • 0.5 oz maple syrup

  • 1-2 oz cherry juice (I recommend using tart cherry juice for calming health benefits)

  • ½ lime, juiced

  • Topo chico or sparkling beverage of your choice

9. Hot Mulled Apple Cider

On a gloomy autumn day, there’s nothing I crave more than a warm drink. The Mindful Mocktail’s hot mulled apple cider is the comforting non-alcoholic drink of my dreams, perfect for a cozy night in. All you need is apple cider, a few spices, and 30 minutes to brew this aromatic bevvy.

Ingredients: 

  • 4 cups fresh apple cider or apple juice

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 2 star anise

  • 4 cloves

  • 1 sliced orange

  • ¼ cup brown sugar (optional)

10. Sparkling Ginger Pear Mocktail

I am always intrigued by drinks that include pears, as their unique fruity flavor profile pairs perfectly with fresh herbs and spices. If you love pears as much as I do, you’ll adore this sparkling pear mocktail with ginger and rosemary from Michelle Hoover, a nutritional therapy practitioner and creator of Unbound Wellness cooking blog.

Ingredients: 

  • 1 inch thumb of ginger, peeled

  • 2 cups sparkling water, chilled

  • ½ cup pear juice, chilled

  • 1 tbsp honey

  • 2 sprigs of rosemary

11. Spicy Blood Orange Mockarita

If there’s one alcoholic drink I truly love, it’s a spicy margarita, but this non-alcoholic alternative from content creator and professional fitness coach Cassey Ho of Blogilates tastes just as delicious (and won’t leave me with a headache the next morning). Create your own jalapeño simple syrup using sliced jalapeño, water, and sugar to achieve the spicy kick that makes this drink so delicious.

Ingredients:

Jalapeño simple syrup

  • ½ jalapeño, sliced

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Mocktail

  • 8 oz blood orange juice

  • 6 oz non-alcoholic tequila

  • 1 lime

  • Ice

  • 1 blood orange sliced, for garnish

  • ½ jalapeño sliced, for garnish

  • 1 tbsp Tajín or salt, for rim

12. Blackberry Pomegranate Spritz

In the words of the recipe creator Olivia Noceda, get “kissed by a vampire” with this moody sparkling blackberry mocktail. Check out the TikTok tutorial for a full visual of this spooky spritz, perfect for sober October.

Ingredients: 

  • Handful of blackberries

  • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds

  • 0.5 oz maple syrup

  • 2 oz non-alcoholic spirit

  • 4 oz lime juice

  • Sparkling water

  • Ice

  • Black salt, for rim (optional)

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