19 Easy Holiday Mocktails for Moms Who Love Simplicity

Holiday mocktails became my party drink while I was pregnant, breastfeeding, or breastfeeding while pregnant. That stretch lasted a few years, and mocktails let me feel festive without feeling left out. These days I’ve stopped drinking altogether (because who wants to be hungover with two little kids?). I still love making a drink and holding something pretty in a glass, so mocktails have earned a permanent spot in my holiday rotation.

Below you’ll find my Holiday Mom-osa, the one I make on Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus 18 more mocktail recipes with measurements and directions. I also include a few ways to make them look like you tried harder than you did. Most of them can swap in a splash of something stronger for guests who want it, and plenty are kid-friendly as written.

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Holiday Mocktails: Simple, Festive, and Made for Real Life

With kids underfoot, holiday mocktails need to be simple, so every recipe here uses grocery-store ingredients and no bar tools, and most come together in a couple of minutes.

Most of these lean on the same short list: cranberry juice, apple cider, orange juice, sparkling water, and cinnamon. These non-alcoholic drinks double as pregnancy mocktails, and they suit anyone else at the table who skips the booze. Pour them one glass at a time or by the pitcher.

Easy Holiday Mocktail Ideas

The festive drinks below range from cold to warm, and each recipe makes one drink unless it says otherwise.

A note on ginger beer. A few of these recipes use ginger beer. Some traditionally brewed ginger beers contain trace alcohol from fermentation, so check the label and choose a non-alcoholic version, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The same goes for vanilla and peppermint extract, which are alcohol-based. The amount in one drink is small, and alcohol-free versions are easy to find if you’d rather skip it.

Sparkling Cranberry Spritz

A crowd-pleaser that takes about 30 seconds to make.

Ingredients

• 4 oz cranberry juice
• 4 oz plain sparkling water
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
• Ice, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of mint or rosemary (if you have it) for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in the cranberry juice and lime juice.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with cranberries and mint or rosemary.

Cranberry Orange Fizz

Tangy and lightly sweet; a good fit for holiday brunch.

Ingredients

• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 3 oz orange juice
• 2 oz sparkling water
• Ice, orange slices, and cranberries for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the cranberry juice and orange juice.
3. Top with sparkling water and give it one gentle stir.
4. Garnish with an orange slice or a few cranberries.

Pomegranate Fizz

This deep red one is perfect for holiday photos.

Ingredients

• 4 oz pomegranate juice
• 4 oz lemon-lime soda
• Ice
• Pomegranate seeds and a lime wedge for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in the pomegranate juice, then the lemon-lime soda.
3. Drop in a spoonful of pomegranate seeds and add a lime wedge.

Winter Citrus Spritzer

Bright and refreshing, with a tart grapefruit edge. It’s one of the winter mocktails that scales up well for a group, so multiply each amount by the number of glasses you’re pouring.

Ingredients

• 3 oz orange juice
• 2 oz grapefruit juice
• 3 oz sparkling water
• Ice and a few cranberries for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the orange juice and grapefruit juice.
3. Top with sparkling water.
4. Float a few cranberries on top.

Cranberry Ginger Sparkler

The ginger beer adds a bit of bite.

Ingredients

• 4 oz cranberry juice
• 4 oz non-alcoholic ginger beer
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• Ice and fresh cranberries for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in equal parts cranberry juice and ginger beer.
3. Add the lime juice and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a few cranberries.

Classic Mule Mocktail

An alcohol-free Moscow mule. Use a copper mug if you have one; any glass works.

Ingredients

• 6 oz non-alcoholic ginger beer
• 1 oz lime juice (fresh or bottled)
• Ice
• Lime wedge and mint for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a mug or glass with ice.
2. Add the lime juice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir once.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

Honey Ginger Fizz

The ginger beer adds fizz and warmth, and the honey softens the lemon’s edge. Skip this one for babies under 1, since honey isn’t recommended before the first birthday.

Ingredients

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 to 2 tsp honey
• 6 oz non-alcoholic ginger beer
• Ice and a lemon slice for garnish

Directions

1. Stir the lemon juice and honey together in the bottom of a glass until the honey dissolves.
2. Add ice.
3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Apple Cider Cooler

The cinnamon-sugar rim is optional but dresses up a plain glass of cider.

Ingredients

• 6 oz apple cider, chilled
• Ice
• Cinnamon sugar for the rim (optional)
• A cinnamon stick or a pinch of pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. Run a slice of apple or a wet finger around the rim, then dip it in cinnamon sugar.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour in the apple cider.
4. Add a cinnamon stick or a pinch of pumpkin pie spice on top.

Sparkling Apple Pie Mocktail

It tastes like apple pie, but with bubbles.

Ingredients

• 5 oz apple cider
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (or alcohol-free vanilla)
• 3 oz sparkling water
• Ice and a pinch of cinnamon

Directions

1. Stir the vanilla into the apple cider.
2. Pour over ice.
3. Top with sparkling water.
4. Finish with a pinch of cinnamon.

Spiced Pear Sparkler

Pear nectar is thicker than juice, so sparkling water keeps it light, and a pinch of cinnamon and ginger adds spice.

Ingredients

• 4 oz pear nectar or pear juice
• 4 oz sparkling water
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• A pinch each of ground cinnamon and ground ginger
• Ice, a thin pear slice, and a cinnamon stick for garnish

Directions

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add the pear nectar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and ginger, and stir until the spices are fully mixed.
3. Top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with a pear slice and a cinnamon stick.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria

Serves 6 to 8. This is a great one to make for a party.

Ingredients

• 4 cups 100% red grape juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, diced
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups sparkling water, added right before serving

Directions

1. Combine the grape juice, orange juice, fruit, and cinnamon stick in a large pitcher.
2. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the fruit flavor the juice.
3. Right before serving, stir in the sparkling water.
4. Pour over ice and spoon some fruit into each glass.

Virgin Cranberry Margarita

All the lime and salt of a margarita, with cranberry for color.

Ingredients

• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1/2 to 1 oz simple syrup or agave
• 2 oz sparkling water
• Coarse salt or sugar for the rim, plus a lime wedge and a lime wheel

Directions

1. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it in salt or sugar.
2. Shake the cranberry juice, lime juice, orange juice, and syrup with ice in a lidded jar.
3. Pour or strain into the glass over fresh ice.
4. Top with sparkling water and add a lime wheel.

Frozen Cranberry Slush

Serves 2. The frozen option for kids who want a holiday slushie and grown-ups who secretly do too.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup frozen strawberries or mixed berries
• 1 cup ice
• 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
• 1 to 2 tsp maple syrup, if your cranberry juice is tart

Directions

1. Add the cranberry juice, frozen berries, ice, and maple syrup to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and thick.
3. Pour into glasses and top each one with a splash of soda.
4. Serve right away with a spoon or a wide straw.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

A classic hot chocolate with peppermint stirred in.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk (any kind, including oat or almond)
• 2 tbsp hot cocoa mix, or 1 tbsp cocoa powder plus 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
• Whipped cream and crushed candy canes for topping

Directions

1. Warm the milk in a small pot or the microwave until steaming.
2. Whisk in the cocoa until smooth.
3. Stir in the peppermint extract.
4. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Maple Cinnamon Mocktail

This one works warm or cold.

Ingredients

• 6 oz apple cider
• 1 to 2 tsp maple syrup
• A pinch of cinnamon
• 2 oz sparkling water (for the cold version)

Directions

1. For a warm drink, heat the cider and maple syrup until steaming, pour into a mug, and dust with cinnamon.
2. For a cold drink, stir the maple syrup into the cider, pour over ice, top with sparkling water, and finish with cinnamon.

Mulled Grape Juice

Serves 6. Your house will smell like the holidays while it simmers.

Ingredients

• 4 cups 100% red grape juice
• 1 cup water
• 1 orange, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 star anise (optional)

Directions

1. Add everything to a large pot.
2. Warm over medium-low heat until steaming, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Strain out the spices and orange slices.
4. Ladle into mugs and add a fresh orange slice.

Wassail

Serves 8. Traditional wassail is often made with ale, wine, or brandy, so this version keeps it all fruit and spice. If someone else is serving wassail at a party, ask what’s in it.

Ingredients

• 6 cups apple cider
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg or ground ginger
• 1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Combine everything in a large pot or slow cooker.
2. On the stove, bring to a gentle simmer and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. In a slow cooker, cook on low for 2 to 3 hours.
3. Strain out the whole spices, or leave them in and ladle around them.
4. Keep it on warm and let guests serve themselves.

Vegan Eggnog

Serves 4. Creamy and spiced, with no eggs or dairy, so the guests who skip both can still have a glass.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened oat milk
• 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or alcohol-free vanilla)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, plus more for topping
• A pinch of salt

Directions

1. Whisk the cornstarch into the cold oat milk until smooth.
2. Pour it into a pot with the coconut milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Warm over medium heat, whisking often, until it thickens slightly and starts to steam, about 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
5. Chill for at least 2 hours, then whisk again and serve with a pinch of nutmeg on top.

The Holiday Mom-osa: My Go-To Festive Drink

The Holiday Mom-osa has everything I want in a holiday drink: it’s quick to make and fun to serve. Of all the Christmas mocktails out there, it’s the one I keep coming back to.

Why I Love It

• Three ingredients, plus a garnish if you want one.
• Cranberries and sparkling cider make it festive enough for a holiday treat.

Holiday Mom-osa Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 parts sparkling cider (I use Martinelli’s), or ginger ale for a lighter version
• 1 part berry-flavored seltzer (I love Polar Seltzer Cranberry Lime, but any berry will do)
• 1 part orange juice
• Optional: cranberries and cinnamon sugar for garnish

Directions

1. Pour the sparkling cider, seltzer, and orange juice into a glass.
2. Stir gently or give it a swirl.
3. Add cranberries and cinnamon sugar for garnish, if you like.

I make it by the glass: one for me, and usually one each for my husband and my sister, who both sometimes swap sparkling wine in for the Martinelli’s. Every so often my dad wants one too.

Shop My Holiday Mom-osa Favorites

Can You Make This Ahead?

You can put the orange juice in a pitcher up to a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Chill the sparkling cider and seltzer unopened the night before, so everything is cold when you pour. Mix the cinnamon sugar and rinse the cranberries a day or two early and keep them covered.

Add the bubbles last. Pour the sparkling cider and seltzer into the pitcher right before guests arrive, or let everyone top off their own glass. Once the bubbles go in, serve within about an hour, because it goes flat after that.

How to Make Mocktails Kid-Friendly

• To skip the bubbles, swap sparkling cider for apple juice and any seltzer or sparkling water for still water. Hint, the unsweetened fruit-flavored water, is another good option.
• Let kids add their own garnishes, like cranberries or sliced fruit, and pick out a striped straw.
• Pour the drinks into holiday-themed cups.

My daughter’s reaction to almost any drink in my hand is “Oooh, I want some,” especially if it’s juice. I can pour her a little cup of most of these.

Serving Ideas for Holiday Mocktails

When you’re hosting, the drinks land on top of the gifts, the decorations, and a packed family calendar, and I have a full post on how to stay organized during Christmas that covers all three. A few small touches help every guest feel included, no matter what’s in their glass.

Make It Look Festive

Serve drinks in mason jars or stemless wine glasses. Garnish with sugared cranberries, orange slices, or cinnamon sticks.

Let Guests Customize Their Drinks

Set up a mix-and-match mocktail station with sparkling water, juices, flavored syrups, fresh mint, and fresh cranberries. Guests build their own drink with almost no work from you, and the kids treat it like an activity.

Give Your Drinks Fun Names

Try “Candy Cane Cooler” or “Winter Wonderland Fizz,” or let the kids pick the names and write them on a card next to the pitcher.

Batch Drinks Ahead for Easy Hosting

Use a punch bowl for larger gatherings. Mix the drinks ahead of time (bubbles last), keep them chilled, and let guests serve themselves.

The food is the bigger job, and my full post of holiday meal ideas covers it, with 16 dishes and a step for deciding what you can prep early.

Want this list handy in December? Pin one of these to your holiday board.

A Festive Drink for Every Moment

Pick one drink from the list above, put its ingredients on your next grocery order, and make it the next time you have people over. If you can’t choose, start with the Holiday Mom-osa. It takes about two minutes to pour.

If you’d like help keeping track of the rest of the season, The Simplified Holiday Toolkit™ is here to help. It’s a short email every Sunday from mid-October through the week before Christmas that tells you what to handle that week, plus planning pages for gifts and meals that come pre-filled. It’s included in The Simplified Membership™. Yes, I want that kind of help this season.

What’s in your glass on Christmas morning? Tell me in the comments.