Summer-Inspired Mocktails to Quench Your Thirst

Photo by Neha Deshmukh

Sip, Sip, Hooray!

Hello, sunshine lovers! ☀️ I don’t know about you, but I love summer. Except the heat and humidity kinda kicks my butt sometimes. Which brings me to a summertime favorite — fresh, juicy, vine-ripened fruit to bring the body temperature down. They are the perfect ingredients for tasty, thirst-quenching mocktails. Ever have a cocktail in the sunshine? Snooze fest. Skip the alcohol and keep your energy levels high, stay hydrated, and look and feel fabulous from sunup to sundown.

Berries, mint, peach, watermelon. Can’t you just see the colors and taste the sweetness? Enough daydreaming, get your blender, grab some ice, and let’s dive in. Don’t forget your insulated summer drinking glass or Koozie! 

1. Tropical Breeze Cooler

I love the taste and smell of fresh coconut in the Caribbean. Add tropical fruit, a blue-green ocean, and a gentle summer breeze, and it’s heaven. This mocktail will take you there.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey (or agave syrup)
• Fresh pineapple slices and mint leaves for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine pineapple juice, coconut water, lime juice, and honey. Stir well until the honey dissolves.
2. Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the mixture over the ice, and give it a gentle stir.
3. Garnish with pineapple slices and a sprig of mint. 

Let the tropical vibes flow!

2. Berry Lemonade Fizz

Bubbly, zingy, and berrylicious (sorry, had to do it), this mix is perfect for sipping on a sunny afternoon.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp honey (or simple syrup)
• Sparkling water
• Lemon slices and additional berries for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine berries, lemon juice, and honey. Blend until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher.
2. Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the berry mixture halfway up the glass, and top off with sparkling water.
3. Stir gently, then garnish with lemon slices and extra berries. 

Cheers!

3. Cucumber Mint Refresher

Remember the last  time you were at the spa and they handed you a cool glass of cucumber-infused water? No. Well no worries, because this refreshing little number will  is like a spa day in a glass.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
• Sparkling water
• Cucumber slices and mint sprigs for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Muddle cucumber slices and mint leaves in the bottom of a pitcher to release their flavors.
2. Add lime juice and honey, stirring until the honey is well mixed.
3. Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the cucumber mixture over the ice, and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with additional cucumber slices and mint sprigs. 

Savor that cool, crisp taste.

4. Peach Basil Smash

Sweet and sophisticated, this blend of bright orange peaches and aromatic basil creates a surprisingly delicious drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey (or agave syrup)
• Sparkling water
• Peach slices and basil leaves for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, muddle the peach slices and basil leaves together.
2. Add lemon juice and honey, stirring until well combined.
3. Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the peach mixture over the ice, and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with peach slices and basil leaves. 

Dahhling, you’ve outdone yourself with this one.

5. Watermelon Mint Mojito

Watermelon. The quintessential summer fruit. Add a bit of mint and sparkle and go party by the pool.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon chunks
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey (or simple syrup)
• Sparkling water
• Watermelon cubes and mint leaves for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Blend watermelon chunks until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher.
2. Muddle mint leaves in the bottom of the pitcher.
3. Add lime juice and honey, stirring until well mixed.
4. Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the watermelon mixture over the ice, and top with sparkling water.
5. Garnish with watermelon cubes and mint leaves. Add a lemon slice for a punch of zest.

Ahhh, that hits the spot.

Mix, muddle, blend, and mash to your heart’s content. Enjoy these summer-inspired mocktails or create your own. Here’s an idea –  throw a mocktail party, have the guests do some mixing, then have a taste off. The winner gets thrown in the pool!

Add some upbeat summer tunes to your festivities and sip, sip away. 🌞🍹✨