Merry, Bright, and Booze-Free: 18 Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drinks

Looking for something minty or fizzy to give you some holiday pep? Or a toasty and decadent drink to warm your chilly bones? Or maybe you just need a distraction from awkward small talk with that cousin-in-law you’ve only met twice. Well, look no further. We’ve got you covered for all your holiday beverage needs.

Here are 18 merry mocktails to help you celebrate the holiday season:

1. The Ultimate Holiday Mocktail
2. The Christmas Pudding Mocktail
3. Sparkling Pine Cranberry Mocktail
4. Matcha Coquito
5. Nonalcoholic Gløgg
6. Sparkling Honey Roasted Pear Mocktail
7. Cranberry Ginger Ale Pear Punch
8. Mint Mojito Coffee
9. Peppermint Hot Cocoa
10. Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
11. Eggnog Hot Cocoa Bomb
12. Gluten Free Hot White Peppermint Chocolate
13. Ginger Grapefruit Spritzer
14. Gingerbread Martini Mocktail
15. Homemade Gingerbread Latte
16. Winter Spice Warming Elixir Mocktail
17. Hot Buttered Pineapple Mocktail
18. Happy Figgin’ New Year!

1. The Ultimate Holiday Mocktail

Spiced, sweet, and not modest in the least, this refreshing mocktail goes hard on the citrus with a touch of fizz for a little nose tickle. Don’t be shy with the garnish for a pop of tasteful eye candy. And if you’re hosting a thirsty group, this recipe can be scaled up with ease.

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2. The Christmas Pudding Mocktail

Another fruity concoction, this mocktail recreates the taste of British Christmas pudding, a traditional holiday dish from across the pond. Pomegranate, cranberry, dried fruits, and citrus zest are combined with nutmeg, clove and other spices to give you a flavor combo fit for royalty. Serve it up hot or cold and feel free to prep this drink a day or two ahead of the party if you’re feeling pressed for time.

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3. Sparkling Pine Cranberry Mocktail

A bit tart and a bit sweet, this wintertime gem features the bold flavors of pine simple syrup and unsweetened cranberry juice. One sip and your senses are transported to a crisp forest with Donner and Blitzen. A touch of ginger beer adds a hint of sweetness and fizz.

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4. Matcha Coquito

This dairy-free drink takes the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas coquito and marries it to the festive green hues of East Asian matcha. Sweet and creamy, the nonalcoholic matcha coquito uses just about every part of the coconut to create a rich treat. Notes of vanilla and cinnamon round out the yum.

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5. Nonalcoholic Gløgg

For nearly 500 years, hot gløgg has helped Nordic folks stay cozy during those famously frigid winters. The nonalcoholic version of this traditional holiday drink is juice based and infused with all the spices on Santa’s list.

The juice is mulled — or heated slowly — and combined over heat with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, orange peel, and fresh ginger. The spices are strained out, raisins and almonds are added and your mugs are filled to the brim with coziness.

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6. Sparkling Honey Roasted Pear Mocktail

If you’re looking for a gluten free sip that is both refreshing and sumptuous, the Sparkling Honey Roasted Pear Mocktail is for you. The prep involves baking some pears, so this drink is a bit of a labor of love. But the results are delish. The brown sugared rims give you some sweetness up front while the grapefruit juice base provides some backend tartness.

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7. Cranberry Ginger Ale Pear Punch

This eye popping punch not only serves all of your holiday guests, but it also doubles as a gorgeous holiday decoration. Refreshing and easy-to-prep, this holiday punch combines pear, pomegranate, and cranberry juices with cranberry ginger ale for a bright flavor profile. But the wow-factor comes from the festive red and green garnishes. 

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8. Mint Mojito Coffee

A truly decadent winter treat, this holiday mocktail lovingly recreates the Cuban mojito with a caffeinated twist. If you find yourself on a beach for the holidays, this rich, creamy and sweet drink is a lovely way to wake up. Remember, half the world celebrates Christmas during their summer! (What’s up, Australia!)

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9. Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Inside info tells us that Santa loves a good cup of hot cocoa. Get down to the chocolate basics with this six ingredient gem. Milk infused with real peppermint leaves adds a refreshing touch of love to this yummy classic.  

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10. Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

This set-it-and-forget-it dairy-free hot cocoa hack is a true game changer. Toss the ingredients in a slow cooker, set it to “high” and… walk away. Four hours later, you have enough delicious hot cocoa to serve eight friends. This cocoa can be stored away and reheated as needed and even used as coffee creamer if chilled. Bonus!

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11. Eggnog Hot Cocoa Bomb

This recipe is the bomb. Literally. Hot cocoa bombs are simply hard chocolate shells filled with hot cocoa that magically melt into chocolatey goodness when you drop them into steaming hot milk. And you don’t have to be one of those Instagram chocolatier geniuses to make them. Imitation rum flavoring is the secret to getting an eggnog taste, but these bombs can be customized into a ton of different flavors and colors. A favorite with kids, this hot cocoa recipe also doubles as a take-home holiday party gift. 

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12. Gluten Free Hot White Peppermint Chocolate

For a different hot cocoa flavor profile, try the gluten free hot white peppermint chocolate. This nighttime holiday treat can be made in either a slow cooker or a stovetop. (And yes, it sounds like a naughty Tinder username.)

Santa’s secret tip: The slow cooker route will fill your little Swiss chalet with a yuletide peppermint aroma. 

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13. Ginger Grapefruit Spritzer

High on fizz and low on sweetness, this ginger grapefruit spritzer is a refreshing holiday mocktail with layers of color. With fresh ginger and rice malt syrup (a.k.a. brown rice syrup) this vegan recipe offers your holiday drinkers a less sugary option that helps to boost immunity. 

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14. Gingerbread Martini Mocktail

With allspice, cinnamon, molasses and brown sugar, this yummy drink is like a Christmas cookie in a glass. A perfect companion (or substitute) for gingerbread cookies or that gingerbread house you “accidentally” ate before you finished it. Rim your glass with molasses and sip away.

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15. Homemade Gingerbread Latte

Stay on the gingerbread train with this simple holiday espresso fav. Skip the coffee shop lines (and prices) and help yourself to a little DIY gingerbread goodness. This recipe features a handy walkthrough for making your own gingerbread simple syrup.

Psst. Don’t tell the coffee overlords from Seattle that you know their secrets. 😉

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16. Winter Spice Warming Elixir Mocktail

This winter concoction is a nonalcoholic drink aimed at warming your bod and boosting your mood. The recipe calls for maca, the adaptogenic herb from Peru.

Maca is usually sold as a powder, a capsule or a tincture. According to one study, maca has some sexual benefits for menopausal women and for men as well. Best to consult a healthcare pro before making this holiday elixir.

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17. Hot Buttered Pineapple Mocktail

For another non-cocoa belly warmer, try this nonalcoholic version of a hot holiday classic. Butter and pineapple might sound like an odd combo, but this recipe promises a unique and comforting drink with a generous dash of cinnamon. So grab your saucepan and get simmering.

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18. Happy Figgin’ New Year!

Puns rule! Countdown to midnight with a classy alternative to the run-of-the-mill store bought nonalcoholic bubbles. For bonus fanciness, pour this dainty drink into some crystal glasses, raise your pinky and gimme some air kisses. Cheers, dahling! Mwah! 

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Takeaway

There are plenty of delish nonalcoholic holiday drinks to help ring in the good times without the booze. Recipes from around the world feature a ton of traditional holiday flavors that embrace a wide variety of palettes. From decadent cocoa to hot spiced gløgg to sparkling fruity options, the lack of alcohol does not mean a lack of yum. 

Many of these recipes can be scaled up for quenching the thirst of everyone at your holiday party. And having thoughtful nonalcoholic drink options is a great way to include kids and non-drinking adults into the festive cheer. The more the merrier.