10 Refreshing Summer Mocktails to Sip on All Season Long

When the sun’s blazing, the vibes are high, and your calendar is packed with backyard barbecues, pool parties, and picnics at the park, there’s no better time to serve up a refreshing drink that everyone can enjoy. But remember, not everyone drinks alcohol. Enter: summer mocktails. Whether you’re skipping booze for the night, for the season, or forever, a good mocktail lets you stay cool, feel festive, and enjoy all the best flavors of summer—without the hangover. If you find yourself asking “What’s a mocktail?,” don’t fret. We’ll explain.

Fun fact: mocktail is short-hand for a mock cocktail, a.k.a. a non-alcoholic drink that has the essence, feeling, and vibe of a traditional cocktail. In this post, we’ve rounded up 10 alcohol-free drinks that are fruity, fizzy, and fun to sip on. From zesty mojito mocktails to juicy blends packed with orange juice and lime juice, these mocktail recipes are perfect for pouring into a tall glass, garnishing with fresh herbs or citrus slices, and serving to your whole crew.

Keep reading for a full breakdown of how to make the yummiest summer mocktails.

Summer Mocktails

So what makes a summer mocktail special? It all comes down to the ingredients. Think: freshly squeezed citrus, muddled berries, garden herbs, and lots of ice. Unlike year-round drinks that might lean creamy or spicy, summer mocktails focus on bold, refreshing, and juicy flavors like watermelon, cucumber, pineapple, and mint. These alcohol-free drinks are easy to love and even easier to make.

Plus, when you offer mocktails at a gathering, it helps everyone feel included. No need to explain why you’re not drinking—just pour yourself a sparkling watermelon basil smash and enjoy. (But I know people will tend to ask why you’re not drinking, even if it’s none of their business. I find that a simple “I’m just not drinking tonight” may help keep that at bay.)

How to Make a Good Mocktail in Summer

Use Seasonal Ingredients

The key to a great summer mocktail? Seasonal produce. Reach for ripe watermelon, juicy strawberries, fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary), and citrus that’s bursting with flavor (grapefruit is a great option, but don’t forget about pomelo). Not only do they taste better because they’re in season, but they also look beautiful in your drink.

Balance Sweet and Sour

Mocktails without alcohol need something to make them pop. A splash of lime juice or a twist of grapefruit can cut through sweetness and bring balance to fruit juices and syrups.

Add Texture With Sparkling Water

A fizzy finish goes a long way, especially as far as summer mocktails are concerned. Sparkling water makes any easy mocktail feel a little more festive. You can also use flavored seltzers to layer in extra citrus or berry notes.

Don’t Skip the Garnish

Just like their alcoholic counterparts, mocktails are as much about presentation as they are taste. Add a mint sprig, fresh fruit slice, or edible flower to make your alcohol-free drink look restaurant-ready.

Chill Your Glass

Mocktails are meant to refresh you on hot days. Pop your tall glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before pouring to keep your drink cooler, longer. 

How to Make Mocktails for Summer

1. Sparkling Watermelon Basil Smash

A bright, herbaceous, and fizzy mocktail with fresh watermelon and basil. So easy, so satisfying, and oh-so-pretty to look at.

Ingredients

• 2 cups watermelon, cubed
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp honey or agave
• Sparkling water
• Ice

Instructions

• Step 1: Muddle watermelon and basil in a shaker.
• Step 2: Add lime juice and honey. Shake well.
• Step 3: Pour the mixture over sparkling water and ice.
• Step 4: Garnish with basil.

2. Pineapple Ginger Fizz

This alcohol-free drink brings the zing. Ginger, lime juice, and pineapple juice combine for a tropical kick.

Ingredients

• 6 oz pineapple juice
• 2 tbsp of Yogi Ginger Tea, steeped according to package directions
• Sparkling water, chilled
• Ice

Instructions

• Step 1: Pour the pineapple juice and chilled tea in a shaker. Shake well.
• Step 2: Pour the mixture over sparkling water and ice.
• Step 3: Garnish with a slice of pineapple. Pro tip: keep the rind on, or put cubes of pineapple on a cocktail pick, so it looks more official.

3. Orange Mint Spritz

Fresh orange juice, mint leaves, and a splash of soda make this one a citrusy winner. Add a twist of lemon for extra brightness.

Ingredients

• 2 navel oranges
• 1 Meyer lemon
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 sprig of mint
• Splash of vanilla extract
• Kosher salt
• Splash of soda water
• Ice

Instructions

• Step 1: Juice the oranges and Meyer lemon separately.
• Step 2: Add mint leaves (1-2 will do) to a shaker to muddle. 
• Step 3: Add orange and lemon juice to taste. Shake well.
• Step 4: Pour the mixture over soda water and ice.

4. Cucumber Cooler

Thin cucumber slices, plus lime juice, plus sparkling water equals one super refreshing drink. This easy mocktail is a must for hot afternoons.

Ingredients

• ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon honey or agave (optional)
• 1 cup sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Mint sprig for garnish (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Muddle cucumber slices in a shaker or glass to release juice.
• Step 2: Add lime juice and honey/agave, and stir or shake to combine.
• Step 3: Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the mixture over it.
• Step 4: Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
• Step 5: Garnish with a mint sprig or extra cucumber slice if desired.

5. Virgin Mojito

The ultimate mojito mocktail. All the lime, mint, and sparkle, minus the hangxiety-inducing rum.

Ingredients

• 6-8 mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon sugar or simple syrup
• ¾ cup sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedges and mint for garnish

Instructions

• Step 1: In a glass, muddle mint leaves with lime juice and sugar until fragrant.
• Step 2: Fill the glass with ice.
• Step 3: Pour in sparkling water and stir to combine.
• Step 4: Garnish with lime wedges and extra mint.

6. Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Like the slushie of your dreams—but grown up and totally alcohol free. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen, but frozen is better for texture)
• ⅓ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave
• 1 cup ice
• ¼ cup water (or more, if needed)

Instructions

• Step 1: Add all ingredients to a blender.
• Step 2: Blend until smooth and slushy.
• Step 3: Add more water for a thinner texture, if needed.
• Step 4: Pour into a tall glass and serve immediately.

7. Blueberry Rosemary Refresher

Muddled blueberries with rosemary leaves and honey? Sign us up. The name of this drink is super accurate, because it’s one of the most refreshing summer mocktails. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup blueberries
• 1 rosemary sprig
• 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• ¾ cup water or sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Instructions

• Step 1: In a shaker or sturdy glass, muddle blueberries, a bit of finely chopped rosemary, and honey.
• Step 2: Add lemon juice and shake well with ice.
• Step 3: Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
• Step 4: Top with sparkling water.
• Step 5: Garnish with a rosemary sprig or blue berries on a cocktail pick.

8. Grapefruit Rosemary Tonic

Tart grapefruit juice and herbaceous rosemary make a perfect match for a yummy summer mocktail.

Ingredients

• ½ cup grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
• ½ teaspoon rosemary (fresh, finely chopped or whole sprig for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon honey or agave (optional)
• ½ cup tonic water or sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Instructions

• Step 1: In a shaker, combine grapefruit juice, rosemary, and sweetener.
• Step 2: Shake or stir well to infuse.
• Step 3: Fill a glass with ice and pour in the mixture.
• Step 4: Top with tonic or sparkling water.
• Step 5: Garnish with a rosemary sprig or grapefruit slice.

9. Mango Lime Chill

Blend fresh mango with lime juice for a sweet and sour surprise. Bonus points if you add chili powder to pack that extra punch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped mango (fresh or frozen; fresh for garnish and frozen for blending)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• Pinch of chili powder (like Tajín or cayenne)
• ½ cup water
• Ice cubes

Instructions

• Step 1: Blend mango, lime juice, chili powder, and water until smooth.
• Step 2: Before pouring anything into the glass, dip the rim in water or lime juice and add a chili powder rim (optional).
• Step 3: Fill a glass with ice and pour the mixture over it.
• Step 4: Top with sparkling water for added fizz (optional).
• Step 5: Garnish with a chili-dusted lime wheel if desired.

10. Coconut Lime Cooler

Creamy coconut water, lime juice, and crushed ice give the ultimate summer vibes. It’d be amazing if you served it in a coconut or hollowed lime, but no need to get that creative.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup coconut water
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon honey or agave (optional)
• ½ cup crushed ice
• Lime wheel or mint for garnish
  

Instructions

• Step 1: In a shaker or cup, combine coconut water, lime juice, and sweetener.
• Step 2: Shake or stir until fully mixed.
• Step 3: Pour over crushed ice in a glass.
• Step 4: Garnish with a lime wheel or sprig of mint.
• Step 5: Serve in a hollowed lime or coconut for extra cool points.