Christmas mocktails: 20 festive alcohol-free drinks

The short answer: Christmas mocktails let every guest raise a festive glass, whether they are driving, pregnant, under 21 or simply skipping alcohol. These 20 Christmas mocktails use easy grocery store ingredients like cranberry juice, cider, pomegranate and sparkling water. You'll also find a batch chart, garnish ideas and tips for setting up a drink station.

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Sparkling Christmas mocktails

1. Cranberry spritzer: cranberry juice, sparkling water, lime and fresh cranberries.
2. Pomegranate rosemary fizz: pomegranate juice, lemon-lime soda and a rosemary sprig.
3. Sparkling apple cider punch: apple cider, ginger ale and orange slices.
4. Virgin mimosa: orange juice topped with sparkling white grape juice.
5. Grinch punch: lime sherbet, pineapple juice and lemon-lime soda.
6. Cranberry orange mule: cranberry juice, orange juice and ginger beer with lime.
7. Winter sangria mocktail: grape juice, cranberry juice, sparkling water and chopped apples and oranges.
8. Virgin mojito: mint, lime, simple syrup and club soda.

Creamy and sweet Christmas mocktails

9. Peppermint hot chocolate: cocoa with crushed candy canes on top.
10. Alcohol-free eggnog: store-bought or homemade, with nutmeg.
11. Gingerbread latte: coffee or decaf with milk, molasses and ginger.
12. White hot chocolate: with a dash of vanilla and whipped cream.
13. Snowball shake: vanilla ice cream, milk and coconut flakes.
14. Hot cocoa bar: let guests build their own (see our hot cocoa bar ideas).

Warm Christmas mocktails

15. Mulled cider: apple cider simmered with cinnamon, cloves and orange.
16. Hot cranberry punch: cranberry juice, apple juice and cinnamon sticks.
17. Spiced tea punch: black tea, orange juice and honey.
18. Wassail mocktail: cider, orange and pineapple juice with warm spices.
19. Chai steamer: chai tea warmed with milk.
20. Hot ginger lemon drink: ginger, lemon and honey in hot water.

How much mocktail to make for a party

Plan about two drinks per guest for the first hour and one per hour after that. Keep extra sparkling water on hand.

Garnish and serving ideas

• Sugared cranberries or rosemary sprigs
• A sugar or crushed candy cane rim
• Frozen cranberry or juice ice cubes
• Orange wheels, cinnamon sticks and star anise
• A small chalkboard sign with the drink's name

Why a good alcohol-free option matters

A standard drink in the U.S. holds about 14 grams of pure alcohol, according to the NIAAA's standard drink guide, and many party cocktails contain more than one. The NIAAA's Rethinking Drinking site encourages people to choose alcohol-free drinks or alternate them with alcoholic ones. A tasty mocktail makes that choice easy. For more party help, see our Christmas party food ideas and the holiday party planning checklist.

How to set up a mocktail station

A mocktail station lets guests mix their own drinks and frees the host from playing bartender all night. Set out two or three pitchers of mixers, such as cranberry juice, apple cider and lemonade, plus bottles of sparkling water, ginger ale and lemon-lime soda. Add a bucket of ice, a bowl of garnishes and a small card with two or three simple recipes.

Place the station away from the kitchen so guests do not crowd the cook. Use clear glasses or jars so the colors of the drinks show, and keep a stack of napkins and a trash can nearby. If kids will be at the party, add a few fun straws and a kid-friendly option like Grinch punch.

Tips for the best Christmas mocktails

• Use real fruit juice instead of drink mixes for better flavor.
• Balance sweet with sour by adding lemon or lime juice.
• Make simple syrup ahead with sugar and water, and add spices like cinnamon or ginger for a holiday twist.
• Chill all mixers before the party so drinks stay cold.
• Add bubbles at the last minute to keep them fizzy.
• Taste each batch before guests arrive and adjust sweetness.