Summer mocktails everyone can enjoy

Written by Matt Gaetz

Summertime is the perfect season to enjoy a fancy cocktail on the patio, but don’t forget the kids! Whether you’re cutting back on alcohol yourself or want to give your little ones a special summer treat at your next barbecue, we have some great mocktail recipes to please the crowd. 

Making mixed drinks can seem intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be hard work. You can use ingredients you have around the house and serve in a fancy glass, or experiment with some more complicated recipes if you’re feeling ambitious.

General tips: 

1. Keep it colorful with both glassware and contents. Who doesn’t love bright colors? Play with color contrast between the fruits and liquid.
2. Grenadine helps with everything! It’s sweet on its own and adds a splash of ‘red’ to your beverage.
3. Use plastic cups to avoid breaks (and plastic cups are usually more fun anyway!)
4. Add frozen fruits instead of ice cubes (they won’t water down the drink as much and you get to sneak in nutrients!)
5. If your kids have adventurous palates, experiment with some of your favorite spices and herbs like cinnamon, mint or even basil!

So Simple, So Good

• Rim the outside of a plastic margarita cup (or any fun cup) with juice from a lime.
• Place the rim on a plate full of  white sugar
• 5oz lemonade 
• 1oz grenadine
• Garnish with a lime wheel

You can mix the grenadine in to create a pink drink, or keep it collected at the bottom of the cup.

Fruit Punch (Without the Punch)

• 1 cup mixed fruit juice (we like strawberry/banana)
• ½ cup orange juice, no pulp
• ½ cup ginger ale
• Add whole strawberries, blueberries, orange wheels, lime wheels, raspberries to the mix

You can scale this rather large to fill a punch bowl or make just a few cups. (PS - Catching the fruit with a ladle in the punch bowl is a big hit at our house!)

Me, A Houseplant

• 1oz cucumber juice
• 1oz fresh lemon juice
• 1oz fresh apple juice
• 1oz simple syrup (1 part water and 1 part sugar – mix until sugar is dissolved)
• Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. 
• Strain into a cup filled with ice and top up glass with Elderflower Tonic Water. (Regular tonic will do)
• Garnish with a cucumber ribbon

Get your kids in on shaking the shaker. They love it! 

*From Spirited Cocktails from Around The World by Adrienne Stillman

Kiwi Strawberry Spritz

• 1 kiwi fruit, thinly sliced in the cup
• 2 strawberries thinly sliced in the cup
• 1 cup of the sparkling drink of your choice (apple juice, lemon lime soda, tonic water etc)
• Add ice

Mocktails offer a fresh welcome to summer and will help you cool down on a hot day. They also pair really well with everything on your barbecue!

Matt has been in the beverage industry for over 22 years and is helping multiple craft brands grow and succeed in Alberta. He loves spending time in his backyard with his kids and a cold drink in hand.

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