As someone who lives in Florida, I don’t really get much by way of seasonal change this time of year (there have been a few “cold snaps” this month, but don’t tell my friends back in Chicago that means…fifty degrees). As a result of my lack of winter weather, I’m deeply appreciative of the corny-cozy touches of a big throw blanket, a pair of fuzzy socks, and a steaming mug of something clovey and balanced. Enter: winter mocktails. If you’re not drinking alcohol — for whatever reason you have — you can still enjoy some warming, complex brews by the fire. Or, you know, by the fake fire you queue up on your television. (Actually, mocktails by a mockfire has a nice ring to it. WAIT: Mocktails by a mockfire while wearing a mockneck sweater…feel free to steal this theme idea for a gathering or early winter date night.) Here are a slew of options — some of them warm, some of them merely wintry in their flavors, some lending heat by way of spice. All of the following recipes are alcohol-free.
This post was originally written in January 2023 and republished in January 2024.
Not Toddies
Yep, you guessed it: These are winter mocktails that are riffs on hot toddies. Get your cottagecore vibes on with these warming, spice-filled drinks.
Green Tea Nonalcoholic Hot Toddy
Hot Stuff
a.k.a. more hot winter mocktail options that go beyond the hot toddy for inspiration! Some of these are alcohol-free versions of classic hot cocktails, and some are just recipes for wonderfully reliable non-alcoholic hot drinks like savory cocoa and chai.
Hot Buttered Pineapple Mocktail
Pineapple isn’t something I usually associate with this season, and yet! This mocktail! It sounds so buttery, warming, and surprising.
Note: This recipe is made with Nespresso pods, but you could easily sub in regular espresso. Also, check out this recipe for alcohol-free Irish cream.
You can mull anything with the right mixture of warming winter spices!
Spicy hot chocolate is a go-to winter beverage for me.
Everyone in my family makes chai a different way, but this is a good starter recipe that you can then build on.
Turmeric and vanilla join forces to make this creamy drink.
See also: ube latte! A personal favorite, and I can’t wait to try to make one at home.
Pear is one of the most under-rated fruit flavors imo! Pear cider deserves as much attention as classic apple.
Sweet and Spicy Hot Orange Drink with Chili and Lime
Tis the season for spicy drinks (for the record, I say this about every season).
Cold 4 Cold
Winter mocktails don’t have to be warm! If you live in a hot, seasonless place and still want to channel winter vibes while drinking something refreshing and cool in the winter sun or if you keep your place so toasty in the winter that you wanna sip something icy, here are some nonalc recipes full of citrus, spice, and minty goodness.
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Sangria isn’t just for summer! And sangria is easy to make alcohol-free. Go all in on the sliced fruits to make them feel extra fancy.
Spritzes also often get associate with summer, but a nice nonalcoholic winter spritz is great to have on a cozy day in.
The color on dragonfruit-based mocktails is so fun.
Really super simple! But that makes it ideal for batching for a gathering. If you don’t have an ice round, you can still create a cool ice effect by adding edible flowers or berries to normal ice molds.
In a pinch, I like to just muddle lime and jalapeño in club soda.
Use whatever your favorite hot sauce is to spicy this up and add a pop of color.
Make any good wintry mocktails lately? Shout em out in the comments!
I need a spicy jalapeño mule mocktail ASAP!
Lmao I do love that the savoury hot chocolate recipe says “If you don’t have a Vitamix, I totally understand, I was there once too.” Thank you for understanding that I live in a tiny apartment, random Internet recipe writer!
lol i appreciated that note, too! more recipes should offer alts, especially when it comes to fancy equipment
YAAAYYYYYY thank you Kayla!!! very excited to try some of these.
I want to drink this all, thank you for this!
Ooh I love these, thanks for the roundup Kayla!!
My personal favorite mocktail is kind of like the NA mulled wine recipe, but served over ice! I use about an ounce each of pomegranate juice and apple cider (not sparkling, just the kind you get at an orchard), then top off with sparkling water (I like berry and grapefruit). Super easy & delicious without being too sweet.
Relevant to my interests!
Just wondering why a lot of the pics to go with the recipes are of the same thing? Dunno if they all show like that for others, or if it’s a browser glitch…
Yeah… I wondered that too. It’s like 6 pics that are recycled.
Okay definitely a very weird error and I’m not sure how it happened but I will fix!