An Uncomplicated Life Blog: The Best Summer Mocktails

Monday, July 2, 2018

The Best Summer Mocktails

Whether you're pregnant or simply avoiding alcohol this summer, I've created some great mocktail recipes that are refreshing and fun to sip on all summer


I know some people are huge fans of sipping summer cocktails when the weather is warm. I'm one of the weird ones that actually doesn't mind forgoing alcohol in the summer. Day drinking on a boat was my JAM when I lived in Minneapolis, but now that I live in a city that is triple digit heat from June through September, alcohol just makes me feel more loopy and frankly - a tad ill in the summer. I truly haven't minded giving up booze for this summer pregnancy! Water and juices get boring day in and day out though, and I like to still be "a part of the group" when I'm with non-pregnant friends who can indulge by a pool or at lunch. If you're riding the sober bus for any reason this summer, I've crafted a list of great alcohol-free summer mocktails for you to enjoy. *Affiliate links used*

Alcohol free drinks and beverages perfect summer time drink recipes

Bubbly Bloody Mary
The key to this one is the mix. If you've got a bad mix, this will be a bad drink! I have tried mixes from here to kingdom come and hands down the best one is Zing Zang (available here and Target also stocks it). It's not too tomato-y, not too much horseradish or pepper, the perfect saltiness, and just a great, robust favor. In fact, if you think you don't like Bloody Mary's, try this mix and see! Now that you've got the mix, you need a vodka replacement. Topo Chico is a great way to cut the acidity of the tomato juice mix without the booze. While Zing Zang is the king of Bloody Mary mix, Topo Chico is the king of sparkling mineral water. Seriously try it. It's so much better than La Croix or Perrier, it's insane. Like, miles ahead of the race better.

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Bubbly Bloody Mary
- Zing Zang or your favorite Bloody Mary mix
- Topo Chico sparkling water
- lime
- salt and celery seed
- other accouterments to garnish as desired


Mix together a small plate of sea salt and celery seed. Line your glass rim by rubbing a lime wedge over it to moisten, then dip into the plate of salt and celery seed. Add ice to your glass and fill 1/3 to 1/2 full with Topo Chico. Top off the reminder of the glass with your Bloody Mary mix and garnish with a lime slice and whatever else you desire (Tobasco sauce, other hot sauces, olives, pickles, a celery stock or even a beef stick are all good choices!)

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Enjoy! Hubs and I had some one morning out in our courtyard. I like adding the bubbles so much, I might keep it as an addition even when I'm able to enjoy vodka again! I will say, this virgin option is a nice morning drink that keeps your head clear, unlike the traditional Bloody. It's also a great recovery drink after a good morning workout.

Strawberry-Basil MojitNO
See what I did there?! I know, but I'm not even sorry about it. There is nothing like warm weather and a good crisp, fruity beverage to tame the heat. This one has the fruity flavor from the strawberries, fresh basil and mint to brighten it, and coconut water that actually helps keep you hydrated by providing natural electrolytes. Win win win! I would CHOOSE to drink this on a super hot day instead of a wine spritzer to keep myself hydrated, that's how good it was. If you watched my IG Stories the day I made and filmed it, you saw I made myself three of them. Yup. That good.

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Just like with the Bubbly Bloody Mary, this drink requires QUALITY coconut water. I'll be honest with you: I don't like most brands of plain coconut water. When I first went "crunchy" and replaced Gatorade with it, I had to buy the fruit juice infused blends because the plain coconut water taste was just terrible! Turns out, I wasn't buying the right brand. My favorite is Zico (available here and at Whole Foods - it is NOT sold at conventional grocery stores, at least not that I've seen). This brand is smooth, not too nutty and not too bitter. By far the most drinkable brand I've ever tasted.


Strawberry-Basil MojitNO
- 3 to 4 fresh strawberries per drink you're making
- 2 FRESH basil leaves per drink you're making
- 2 to 3 FRESH mint leaves per drink you're making
- Zico coconut water
- 1 can lemon lime soda


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In a small bowl, rip up the basil and mint leaves and add the strawberries after you've removed the tops. Muddle the berries and the herbs until mushy. In a tall glass, add ice and the muddled berry mixture. Fill about 1/2 to 2/3 full with coconut water, and top off with the lemon lime soda. Mix together to distribute the ingredients. Enjoy with a paper straw to help filter out the berries and herbs or drink straight from the glass to get bits in your sips (it enhances the flavor!)

Peach Bellini MimNOsa
I'm at it again and I'm still not sorry. This is by far the easiest drink to make, so if the others were a tad too labor intensive for you (especially with no fun boozy benefits!) than this is more your speed. Two ingredients and one step. This pregnancy has made me in love with any and all things peach flavored, but you could easily use traditional orange juice or ruby red grapefruit juice too.

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Again, the QUALITY of the ingredients is key when you're not using alcohol. Do not buy cheap, processed junk that's only 10% juice and expect it to taste good! Save that for alcohol when you won't even notice it after your first drink anyway. Better yet, cut that garbage from your life. If it's only 10% juice, what the heck is the rest of it? Fake sugar and water that they're charging you an arm and a leg for. But I digress, back to the mimNOsa.

Peach Bellini MimNOsa
- DRY sparkling apple or pear cider
- 100% peach juice (or orange or grapefruit)



Get a champagne glass, fill it 1/3 full with juice and top it off with the sparkling cider. Boom! Mocktail express. This is an excellent option if you're expecting but haven't told anyone yet - nobody will know it's sparkling cider and not champagne. In the same vein, this is the perfect baby shower drink option for the mama-to-be and enables you to still serve the other guests real champagne. It's also a great brunch option if you've got a long list of things to do after brunch that a few mimosas will inhibit.

Just because you can't or don't want to consume alcohol doesn't mean you're stuck drinking water or soda! These fun mocktails are the best of summer booze-free flavors! If you're entertaining, they're great to impress guests and you could make some mocktail style and some traditional style by adding vodka to the Bubbly Bloody Mary, rum to the Strawberry-Basil MojitNO and champagne to the Peach Bellini MimNOsa. Just be sure to clearly label which drinks are virgin and which are traditional for your guests.

14 comments:

  1. yum! This look great. But I would add a little something something to them hehe :)

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  2. I can't wait to try these at my fourth of July cookout!

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  3. Nice Blog ! Thanks for such a informative post.

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  4. Very nice blog, i love cocktails and use to be a bartender and really enjoyed it

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  5. These all look so good! I love strawberry and basil together

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  6. Ok, I will definitely be making that "mojitNO' for the 4th! Being pregnant is amazing but it can feel like a bummer to not be able to partake in social drinking with friends on holidays. Thanks for sharing these delicious recipes! xo, Brittany Nicole | www.theblistblog.com

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  7. These mock tails all look so delicious, perfect for any summer party, I am interested in trying the Bellini looks so delicious!

    ~xo Sheree
    poshclassymom.com

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  8. these look amazing! Being pregnant in the summer when everyone is drinking delicious cocktails isn't always fun, but I cannot wait to make that basil mojito! yum!

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  9. We're big Bloody Mary fans here, although I haven't had one in forever! Definitely going to check out Zing Zang next time I'm at Target!

    xx
    Izzy
    www.IsabellaDavid.com
    IG @IsabellaDavidVintage

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  10. I would love ALL of these mocktails! They look so good and would be perfect to offer your guests who are designated drivers!

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  11. These look yummy! I have the same feeling about alcohol in the Summer- it can knock you off your feet if you're not careful!

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  12. These summer mocktails are awesome. These recipes are astounding and simple to make. These are ideal for summer. You're the best to share this post.

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  13. These look delicious, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't craving just a dram of whisky right about now... Should be 30 days or less!!

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