This easy mocktail recipe is inspired by one I recently enjoyed at a wedding in California. My pregnant friend asked the bartender for a non-alcoholic drink, and once I saw what he made for her, I simply had to try it, too.
It’s shockingly easy, with just three ingredients, but it tastes like a perfectly crafted cocktail. (And far better than the canned mocktails I’ve tried!)
While I love making a variety of non-alcoholic drinks , this one requires no simple syrup to get started, so it’s the one I return to most often.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review “I made this for a pool party last weekend, and the combination is amazing! The grapefruit flavor makes it taste like a cocktail.” -Juliette
Ingredients for Easy Mocktails
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sparkling water. This bubbly addition makes the drink feel special. I use plain sparkling water or club soda, but a citrus-flavored sparkling water would work, as well.
- Grapefruit juice. I think this tastes best when you can squeeze your own fresh grapefruit juice, but bottled juice will work in a pinch. The bitterness of the grapefruit mimics the flavor of a real cocktail, minus the alcohol.
- Orange juice. You can squeeze your own or start with bottled juice.
That’s it! No simple syrup or added sugar is required.
How to Make a Mocktail
Step 1:
If you plan to prepare your own juice, start by juicing the orange and grapefruit. When juicing a grapefruit, be sure to use a juicer that will catch the pulp, as there is quite a lot in these large fruits.
You’ll usually get roughly 1/2 cup of juice from a large grapefruit, which is enough to make 2 servings. (The same goes for a large orange, if you want to make your own orange juice.)
Step 2:
Fill two 12-ounce glasses with ice, then add a 1/4 cup of grapefruit juice and orange juice to each glass. Top them off with a 1/4 cup of sparkling water or club soda, and then these mocktails are ready to serve.
If you prefer a non-bubbly drink, you can use any other liquid you like. Try using iced tea or water as a simple variation.
More Mocktail Ideas
- Mock Moscow Mule. Add the juice of half a lime to a glass of iced ginger beer. Instead of using vodka, you can dilute it with a splash of sparkling water for extra bubbles, and serve it in copper mugs for an authentic look.
- Mock Margarita . (<- recipe here) Combine a 1/4 cup orange juice with 2 tablespoons each of lemon juice and lime juice. Serve over ice, with a splash of sparkling water if you’d like a bubbly drink. You can sweeten with agave nectar or maple syrup, to taste.
- Mojito Mocktail . (<- recipe here.) Made with fresh lime juice and sparkling water, this drink comes together fast thanks to a minty simple syrup that’s naturally sweetened.
- Virgin Piña Colada. Mix equal parts pineapple juice and coconut milk, then blend it with frozen pineapple for a creamy frozen drink.
- Apple Cider Mocktail. Mix equal parts apple cider with ginger beer for a festive holiday cocktail. You can top this off with a floating star anise, to make it look pretty and add an extra hint of spice.
IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup grapefruit juice
- ½ cup sparkling water
Instructions
- If you’re juicing your own grapefruit and oranges to make this drink, be sure to use a juicer that will catch the pulp, so it won’t go into the final drink. (Grapefruit is quite pulpy!)
- Fill two 12-ounce glasses with ice, and add a 1/4 cup of orange juice, a 1/4 cup of grapefruit juice, and a 1/4 cup of sparkling water to each glass. Garnish with extra slices of grapefruit, or a slice of lime, to complete the drink. Serve right away for the best flavor; the ice will start to dilute the sweetness as it melts.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
- Cortisol Cocktail Recipe
- How to Cook Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
- Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe
- Honey Lemonade
- Orange-Infused Water
Easy Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup grapefruit juice
- ½ cup sparkling water
Instructions
- If you’re juicing your own grapefruit and oranges to make this drink, be sure to use a juicer that will catch the pulp, so it won’t go into the final drink. (Grapefruit is quite pulpy!)
- Fill two 12-ounce glasses with ice, and add a 1/4 cup of orange juice, a 1/4 cup of grapefruit juice, and a 1/4 cup of sparkling water to each glass. Garnish with extra slices of grapefruit, or a slice of lime, to complete the drink. Serve right away for the best flavor; the ice will start to dilute the sweetness as it melts.
