As a host, it’s always a nice touch to offer any non-imbibers, designated drivers, or under-age guests at a wedding a tasty, non-alcoholic option that isn’t just a soda or water. We love the idea of adding one festive, celebratory “virgin” drink to your bar menu for a fun, guest-friendly, personalized touch. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite wedding mocktails for quenching your guests’ thirst below. Trust us—we love a great cocktail as much as the next wedding planner, but we can get behind these 12 non-boozy refreshers as well.
1. Honey-Sweetened Limeade with Strawberries and Basil
Foolproof Living’s Honey-Sweetened Limeade is one of our all-time favorites for those looking for a little something as tart as it is sweet. Plus, the garnishing on this one makes it seriously worthy of a photo or two.
2. Watermelon Breeze
We love the idea of offering up virgin frozen drinks, as they’re perfect treats for kids—and help to beat the heat at outdoor summer weddings. To make, simply blend together: 3 cups cubed chilled watermelon, 1 cup coconut water, 1 tsp fresh lime, 1 sprig of mint and ½ cup ice.
3. Mexican Limeade
For a fiesta-themed or desert-inspired affair, we love this Mexican Limeade recipe from Entirely Eventful Day. It combines fresh limes and lemons with sprite and—wait for it—powdered lemonade mix for a tart treat that’s perfect for washing down spicy food at nuptials set amongst streamlined cacti under the desert sun.
4. Pink “Bubbly”
We love the idea of serving up something sweet and pink for a fairytale-worthy wedding or even a bridal shower. Simply combine equal parts club soda and ginger ale. Then, stir in a splash of white grape juice (or more for sweetness), and a splash of grenadine to give it a pretty pink hue.
5. Coconut Lavender Lemonade
This refreshing mocktail combines coconut water, lavender simple syrup and fresh lemon juice for a sweet summer treat that’s perfect for a boho affair—get the full recipe from Confectionalism.
6. Cranberry Rosemary Refresher
In Sonnet’s Kitchen’s Cranberry Rosemary Refresher can work for both summer weddings and winter soirées, as well. Bonus: it’s as festive and colorful as it tasty.
7. Mojito Mocktail
Mojitos are super popular at summer weddings—and, if you’re going to offer that as your wedding cocktail, it’s nice to offer a mocktail version for the little ones or guests who don’t imbibe. We love Muy Bueno’s Virgin Cucumber Mojito recipe.
8. Orange LaCroix Spritzers
Any drink that uses LaCroix is a friend of ours (even if doesn’t include booze). Simply combine 3 parts orange juice with 1 part Orange LaCroix. (Lemon or Apricot LaCroix works as well for this one if you can’t find Orange.)
9. Fruit-Infused Water
Fruit-infused water is such an accessible option price- and ease-wise, and we especially love that you can use fruit as a way to play with color to pretty-up that soirée of yours even more. Blueberry and oranges look (and taste) stunning together, as do strawberries and mint. We also love the look and taste of whole blackberries and lemon slices, grapefruit and lavender, or raspberries and cucumber.
10. Grapefruit Mint Spritzer
Do any three words sound more refreshing together? We think not. We’re obsessed with this super-tasty spritzer recipe from Tattooed Martha. Serve it up alongside pretty peonies at an outdoor spring wedding.
11. Sparkling Rosemary Limeade
We love the idea of serving The Kitchn’s Sparkling Rosemary Limeade in vintage-inspired swing-top bottles for an earthy, grounded summer affair (adjust the sugar in this one for your desired sweetness).
12. Lavender Earl Grey Blackberry Ice-Cream Floats
We’re ending our round-up with a little something sweet: This super-delicious blackberry ice-cream float from Snixy Kitchen may be the best vegan thing we’ve ever tasted—and it sure looks the prettiest, too. Serve these up as dessert options or even as a treat to tide guests over during cocktail hour at outdoor weddings.
Hero Photo Courtesy of Jen Huang Photography
Wedding Planner LVL Weddings & Events
Bar Straight Up Cocktail Service