Mocktails are great for kids, giving them a festive drink to enjoy alongside the adults. But getting it right for everyone can be a bit complicated, with different tastes and preferences in the mix.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of our home’s favorite mocktail recipes from over the years. And even though our tastes have changed, these mocktails remain a fun and festive way to celebrate the New Year with the whole family.
Apple Pie Punch
Apple Pie Punch has always been a favorite in our house for any family gathering. When the kids were younger, it was the go-to mocktail recipe for every celebration, sweet, fizzy, and just a little fancy.
Now that they’re older, they all prefer branded sodas, but the nostalgia for this drink still lingers (don’t tell anyone, but our eldest son still likes this).
For families with younger kids, Apple Pie Punch is highly recommended for your New Year’s Eve party. The combination of apple juice, sparkling water, and a sprinkle of cinnamon makes it taste like a slice of apple pie in a glass.
Like all mocktails on this list, it’s quick to make, easy to customize, and perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday table.
Cooking Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple juice (not cider)
- ½ cup sparkling water
- Dash of cinnamon
- Apple slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pour apple juice into a glass.
- Add sparkling water and stir gently.
- Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top and garnish with apple slices.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
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Chocolate Cherry Mocktail
Chocolate Cherry Mocktail was another favorite mocktail recipe when our kids were younger. They always asked for it during special occasions, and it quickly became a family tradition.
These days, our youngest has switched to classic hot chocolate with cream and all the trimmings, while the older two stick to sodas. Still, this mocktail is a great choice for any New Year’s Eve party, especially if you have a mix of ages at the table.
The blend of cherry juice, cocoa, and milk makes it rich, sweet, and just festive enough to feel special. One of the reasons we recommend it for New Year’s is how easily it can be tweaked for adults, just add a splash (or more) of Baileys for a grown-up twist.
Whether served warm or chilled, this drink is a crowd-pleaser and a versatile option.
Cooking Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry juice
- 1 cup milk or almond milk
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Warm milk slightly and mix in cocoa powder until smooth.
- Add cherry juice and stir.
- Serve in two glasses, chilled or warm, with whipped cream on top if desired.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
Minty Lime Cooler
Minty Lime Cooler is a staple in our house every New Year’s Eve. It’s one of those drinks the boys (Dad included) secretly love, even if they act like they don’t care. The kids like to pretend they’re too grown up for it, but we still make it every year for one simple reason—my husband loves lime and mint.
The crisp lime flavor combined with the freshness of mint makes it light, refreshing, and perfect for celebrations. If you’re looking for a mocktail that’s easy to whip up and always a hit, this one fits the bill. And for adults, it’s just as good with a splash of spiced rum, making it a versatile option for family gatherings.
Even if the kids roll their eyes these days, the punch bowl always ends up empty each year.
Cooking Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ cup sparkling water
- 1 tsp honey or agave syrup
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Mix lime juice and honey in a glass until honey dissolves.
- Add sparkling water and stir.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve over ice.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
Sparkling Berry Fizz
The new mocktail recipe on the menu this New Year is the Sparkling Berry Fizz. And that’s for one reason, my new cranberry juice craving. Out of nowhere, I’ve just started to love the stuff, and this is heavy on the cranberry.
Sadly, no one else in the house seems to like cranberry but this recipe is my attempt to change their minds and get everyone on board.
The combination of cranberry juice, apple juice, and sparkling water creates a drink that’s both tart and sweet (I’ve already tried it and loved it).
It’s light, fizzy, and has that celebratory feel perfect for ringing in the New Year. I’m hoping this mocktail will win their approval and maybe even become a new family favorite.
Cooking Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1 cup sparkling water
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- ½ cup apple juice
- Fresh berries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Mix cranberry juice and apple juice in a glass.
- Add sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh berries and serve.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
Strawberry Lemonade Spritz
Strawberry Lemonade Spritz is a mocktail our daughter loves. She constantly picks at strawberries daily and could easily go through a whole punch bowl of this in one night, if we let her (we don’t).
The mix of fresh strawberry puree, lemonade, and sparkling water is sweet, refreshing, and just a little fizzy. Strawberry is always a crowd-pleaser, and lemonade is just as popular, making this a hit for any gathering.
It’s a simple drink to make but feels festive enough for a special occasion like New Year’s Eve.
Cooking Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemonade
- 1 cup sparkling water
- 8 fresh strawberries, blended into puree
- Strawberry slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Blend strawberries into a smooth puree
- Mix lemonade and sparkling water in two glasses.
- Add the strawberry puree evenly and stir gently.
- Garnish with strawberry slices and serve.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
Tropical Sunset Spritzer
Our house used to love Tropical Sunset Spritzers. Our sons couldn’t get enough of it, but these days, they’ve switched to Dr. Pepper, which, let’s be honest, doesn’t taste the same, but it’s their preference now.
Back when we made it regularly, the combination of orange juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine created the perfect tropical flavor. It’s sweet, fruity, and looks great, making it a fun addition to any celebration.
While this mocktail recipe isn’t a go-to for us anymore, it’s still a great choice for kids who love that tropical taste.
If you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party, this mocktail is worth making, it’s as refreshing as it is festive.
Cooking Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup club soda
- 1 tsp grenadine (optional, for color only)
Instructions
- Pour orange juice and pineapple juice into a glass over ice.
- Add club soda and stir gently.
- Drizzle grenadine on top for a layered “sunset” effect.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
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