Best Summer Mocktail Recipes

Cool down on a hot summer day with one of these delicious summer mocktail recipes! They're easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Whenever I’m lounging on the patio or heading out for a picnic, I love having one of these delicious drinks in hand. They’re such a fun and tasty way to stay cool and hydrated.

Why you'll love these drinks

• Light and refreshing: These mocktail recipes are perfect for hot summer days. They'll cool you down and quench your thirst!
• Fun for everyone: Since they're non-alcoholic drinks, you can serve them to guests of all ages.

The Best Summer Drinks

Nothing beats the heat like a cold refreshing drink! I’ve rounded up five fun summer recipes that skip the added sugar and use fresh fruit and sparkling water instead. They’re perfect for BBQs, picnics or just relaxing on the patio. Add a few citrus slices, herbs or flavoured ice cubes for a fun garnish!

Honeydew Mojito

This honeydew mojito is such a refreshing summer drink! This virgin mojito uses the natural sweetness of the honeydew to sweeten the drink, eliminating the need for any added sugars. The honeydew blends beautifully with the mint and lime to make an energizing drink that will help you fight off the summer heat.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Honeydew – use another melon of choice such as watermelon or cantaloupe.
• Limes – limes are essential in classic mojitos, but if you're in a pinch use lemon or another type of citrus to create a refreshing taste. Lime juice would also work.
• Mint – a classic mojito uses mint and limes, so I recommend using a fresh bunch of limes for this recipe. In a pinch, try using basil as a garnish for a similar energizing taste.
• Sparkling water – use plain or a citrus flavour option.

Watermelon Lemonade

This summer mocktail recipe is bound to be a fan favourite at any BBQ or picnic. Watermelon is a summer fruit and lemonade is definitely a summer drink, so paired together it's the ideal summer beverage!

Ingredients and substitutions

• Watermelon – you can use another type of melon such as honeydew or cantaloupe or another fruit that is high in water content to make this drink.
• Lemon – use fresh lemons so that you can add in a beautiful garnish to your drink as well!
• Water – use filtered water, lemon water or add a kick to this drink with sparkling water.

Mango Iced Tea

If you like flavoured iced teas, I have a strong feeling that this drink is about to be your go-to summer pour. It's packed with the antioxidants of green tea and sweetened with the sweet, fresh taste of mango nectar.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Mango nectar – mango juice would also work.
• Green tea – if you don't want to use green tea, then use black tea or white tea.
• Mango – to garnish.
• Mint – to garnish.

Pineapple Coconut Cooler

This pineapple coconut cooler is the best way to keep fresh on those trips to the beach. It tastes just like a piña colada, but without the excess sugar or heavy cream. Since it's made with a base of coconut water, you're actually guaranteeing that you'll be hydrated the whole time!

Ingredients and substitutions

• Coconut water – use a no-sugar bottle of coconut water for the best results. You could also add a splash of coconut milk to make it creamier.
• Pineapple juice – use passionfruit juice, grapefruit juice or mango juice for this recipe to keep on the tropical theme.
• Pineapple – to garnish.
• Mint – to garnish.

Strawberry Basil Fizz

The strawberry basil fizz is the perfect way to upgrade your regular sparkling water. This is truly the best substitute for sugary sodas on a hot summer day.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Strawberry – use fresh strawberry or any other berry of choice for this recipe.
• Basil – mint would also work really well for this drink.
• Strawberry sparkling water – use plain sparkling water in place of strawberry sparkling water.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep summer drinks cold without watering them down?

Use frozen fruit instead of ice cubes, or make ice cubes from the drink itself to keep the flavours strong.

Which drink is best for summer?

Any of these summer mocktail recipes are great for warm weather days. They’re super refreshing so they’ll help you beat the heat.

Can I turn these into cocktails?

Yes! Add a splash of vodka, rum or tequila to many of the recipes to turn them into easy summer cocktails.

Making a pitcher full

All of these summer drink recipes will make about four servings. If you want to make a bigger batch of these drinks for a party or event, just double or triple the recipe. The drinks that require a shaker or blender, like the honeydew mojito and watermelon lemonade, will likely need to be made in batches since you won’t be able to fit everything into one cocktail shaker or blender.

Meal prep tools

• Get some fun reusable straws for your drinks!
• Here's a mesh sieve to separate the pulp.
• Need a muddler for your mocktail? Try this one!
• Check out one of my favourite ice trays – you'll definitely need ice for these drinks!