You Can Find Us Poolside Sipping on These Mocktails All Summer Long

The days are longer, the temperatures are warmer, the breeze is gentler…You don’t need us to tell you it’s officially time for poolside hangs and dining alfresco. But just because you’ve cut out alcohol doesn’t mean you should face sunny days empty-handed. These carefully crafted mocktails will keep you hydrated and refreshed all summer long!

Watermelon Chamomile

(image via tasting table/rachel vanni)

Did someone say botanicals? Enjoy sweet, fruity notes of watermelon juice paired with chamomile to create this hot day must-have. Check out this recipe from Tasting Table.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• ½ Tbsp chamomile leaves
• 2 cups watermelon juice
• 1¾ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice, for serving
• Watermelon wedges, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add chamomile leaves. Let steep until the syrup has completely cooled, then strain.
2. In a pitcher, combine 2 oz of the syrup with the watermelon juice, lime juice, and ice. Stir to chill, then divide between ice-filled glasses.
3. Garnish with watermelon wedges and serve.

Virgin Mojitos

(image via sustainable cooks)

Thanks to this nonalcoholic mojito recipe from Sustainable Cooks, you can enjoy the satisfying taste of mint muddled with sugar and lime without the buzz – or next-day hangover.

Ingredients:

• 10 large mint leaves
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 2 Tbsp honey simple syrup
• Sparkling water
• Ice (optional)
• Lime slices (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place mint leaves and lime juice in a glass and muddle together for 1 minute.
2. Add honey simple syrup.
3. Add sparkling water.
4. Garnish with lime slices, a sprig of mint, and/or fresh fruit.

Zero-Proof Mai Tai

(image via all the bitter)

Every pool hang needs at least one round of mai tais. Check out this recipe from All the Bitter to re-create everyone’s favorite vintage Tiki drink.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz nonalcoholic white rum
• ¾ oz nonalcoholic orange liqueur
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ½ oz orgeat syrup
• 2 dashes All The Bitter orange bitters
• ½ oz nonalcoholic dark rum

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients, except the dark rum, to a shaker with crushed ice.
2. Shake briefly, then dump contents into a rocks or Tiki glass.
3. Slowly pour dark rum over the back of a spoon to float it on top of the drink.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.

Honeydew Melon Agua Fresca

(image via eating well)

Agua fresca is a versatile drink that can be made with any leftover fruit. However, we highly recommend this recipe from Eating Well, which uses honeydew for a unique twist.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups 1-inch honeydew chunks
• 4 cups water, divided
• ⅓ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• Ice, for serving
• Lime slices, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Purée melon, 2 cups water, lime juice, and sugar in a blender until smooth.
2. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.
3. Add remaining water, stir well, and adjust the taste with more lime juice, if desired.
4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. To serve, stir well and pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.

Blue Lagoon

(image via mindful mocktail)

We can sum up this drink from Mindful Mocktail, which combines blue curaçao syrup, lemonade, and your favorite tropical garnish, by confirming that it is as delicious as it is pretty.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp blue curaçao syrup
• 1 cup lemonade
• 30 ml alcohol-free vodka (optional)
• Fruit or flowers to garnish

Instructions:

1. Pour the blue curaçao and alcohol-free vodka into a glass.
2. Slowly top with lemonade.
3. Stir gently; add ice, garnish, and serve.