Here are my fave celebrity-inspired mocktail recipes and how to make them.
But first, what is a mocktail?
Think of a classic cocktail, and then take away the booze — that’s a mocktail! Alcohol-free cocktails have been around just as long as the ‘real thing’ and traditionally contain some sort of base plus mixers and garnishes like crushed mint and chilli to recreate the taste of cocktails. These days, non-drinkers or those looking to take a break from booze have many more options for mocktails thanks to new, innovative non-alcoholic spirits on the market.
What is the difference between cocktails and mocktails?
The key difference is that cocktails contain alcohol and mocktails don’t. The best mocktails taste just like their boozy counterparts thanks to alcohol-free spirits and mixers like the products in our very own Ms Sans range! You can even use classic garnishes like green olives for your dirty martinis or jalapenos for your spicy margs to make your mocktails look and feel indistinguishable from the boozy version.
1. Emily from Emily in Paris: Kir Royale
In the latest season, Emily sits down for lunch with some friends at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, sipping on a Kir Royale. It’s fitting: the Kir Royale is a classic French cocktail. The good news? It can be made into a delish mocktail with the help of a non-alcoholic wine or champagne!
The taste
If you haven’t heard of the Kir Royale before, it’s like a fizzy wine cooler made with ‘creme de cassis’, a rich, slightly tart liquor made from blackcurrants.
Ingredients
- 125ml Next Destination 2021 Langhorne Creek Blanc de Blanc
- 1 tsp homemade blackberry syrup (equal parts muddled blackcurrant and simple syrup)
- 1 fresh blackberry (to serve)
Method
Pour the non-alcoholic champagne into a flute glass. Add the homemade syrup. Garnish with a fresh blackberry.
2. Tom Hanks: Diet Cokagne
If you’re a fan of bubbly drinks, you’re going to love Mr Hanks’ go-to tipple. The movie star opts for Diet Coke over other beers or mixed drinks and spices it up with a splash of champagne. For Hanks, the low-alcohol cocktail hits the spot, but I think the mocktail version is even better!
The taste
This unexpected combo is sweet and surprisingly tasty. The mocktail tastes mainly like Diet Coke, but with an added citrus flavour thanks to non-alcoholic champagne.
Ingredients
- 30ml-60ml Next Destination 2021 Langhorne Creek Blanc de Blanc
- 250ml Coke Zero
Method
Pour the Coke Zero into a highball glass. Add 1 or 2 shots of non-alcoholic champagne. Mix well.
3. Emma D'Arcy: Negroni Sbagliato
The House of the Dragon star nearly broke the internet when they revealed their favourite cocktail is a negroni — ‘sbagliato’ style. ‘Sbagliato’ means ‘mistake’ in Italian, but this bevvy is anything but. D’Arcy subs in sparkling wine instead of the usual gin to make the drink, which also contains Campari and sweet vermouth. Not to toot my own horn, but I think I’ve nailed the mocktail version!
The taste
This iconic Italian mocktail is bittersweet yet fruity and perfect when served on the rocks.
Ingredients
- 30ml non-alcoholic vermouth
- 30ml Sans Bar Spritzing In Venice
- 30ml Tread Softly Everything Except Prosecco
- 1 orange slice (to serve)
- Ice
Method
Place as many ice cubes as you want in a lowball glass. Add the non-alcoholic vermouth and aperitif. Top with the non-alcoholic prosecco and stir well. Garnish with an orange slice.
4. Ryan Reynolds: Gin & Tonic
As an actor, unofficial comedian and Blake Lively’s hubby, Ryan Reynolds has a lot going for him. He also partly owns a gin brand and has a penchant for a refreshing G&T on a hot summer’s day — and I can’t blame him!
The taste
Just like the cocktail, this G&T mocktail is bursting with aromatic botanical flavours thanks to the non-alcoholic gin. Plus, the tonic adds a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients
- 50ml Sans Bar Notting Hill Stroll
- 100ml tonic of your choice. I like StrangeLove Tonic No 8, or you could try making your own tonic at home!
- Ice
- Juice of ¼ lime
- 1 lime slice (to serve)
Method
Layer ice at the bottom of a highball glass. Pour in the non-alcoholic gin. Top with tonic water to taste, and add a squeeze of lime. Garnish with a slice of fresh lime.
5. Madonna: Pomegranate Martini
I love a fruity drink and apparently, the queen of pop does, too! Madonna likes winding down with a pomegranate vodka martini, a twist on the Cosmopolitan made famous by Carrie Bradshaw. When you omit the alcohol, it’s just as good — especially if you use fresh pomegranate juice! If you're a fan of lemon-based mocktails, you’ll definitely love this.
The taste
Crisp, fruity and the perfect balance between tart and sweet. If you’re serving up this mocktail for Aussie Christmas, you could even add a cinnamon sugar rim!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, unsweetened
- 30ml Ms Sans Make Me a Sanstini
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 30ml sparkling water, to taste
- Ice
- Lemon peel (to serve)
- Pomegranate seeds
Method
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then pour in all the martini ingredients. Secure the lid and shake well. Line the bottom of a chilled martini glass with pomegranate seeds. Strain the martini mix into the glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.
6. George Clooney: Spicy Cucumber Margarita
The silver-haired star owns a tequila company, so it’s no surprise he loves to relax with a marg. While the regular recipe still works, Clooney takes it one step further and adds cucumber and jalapenos for a spicy yet hydrating take on the marg. The virgin version has the same mixers and garnishes but uses non-alcoholic tequila instead.
The taste
A good ol’ margarita mocktail with an extra dose of spice and without the hangover.
Ingredients
- 60ml Ms Sans Bring a Sombrero
- 30ml fresh lime juice
- 15ml simple syrup
- 2 cucumber slices
- 1 jalapeno slice
- Ice
- Cucumber wheel (to serve)
- Jalapeno slice (to serve)
Method
Combine the non-alcoholic tequila and all other mocktail ingredients in a shaker. Muddle the cucumber and jalapeno, and add to the shaker along with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass. Add fresh ice to the glass. Pop in a cucumber and jalapeno slice to garnish.
7. Michael B Jordan: King Cuatro
The Creed star can’t go past the King Cuatro, a purple, rum-based cocktail that’s served at ‘Las Lap, the bustling bar he owns in New York City. With a healthy dose of blackberries, lemon juice and non-alcoholic prosecco, the mocktail version goes down well day or night (whether you’re training for a boxing movie or exploring a sober-free lifestyle).
The taste
It has a robust berry flavour, combined with a caramel finish from the alcohol-free rum.
Ingredients
- 30ml Lyre’s Dark Cane Spirit
- 15ml The Duchess Alcohol-Free Wine Spritzer Elderflower
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 blackberries
- Plus and Minus Prosecco, to taste
- Ice
Method
Muddle the blackberries in a tin until all chunks are gone. Add ice, non-alcoholic rum and all mocktail ingredients except the prosecco to the tin. Shake well and strain over a coupe glass. Top with a splash of prosecco.
8. Oprah Winfrey: Moscow Mule
The talk show maven is no stranger to sharing her favourite things with her fans all around the world. On that list? The Moscow Mule, which Oprah has even whipped up on a trip to Yosemite. It’s that easy to make and the ingredients are portable enough to add to your picnic packing list!
The taste
The Moscow Mule mocktail is classic for a reason. It’s spicy yet sweet and the ginger flavour makes it festive.
Ingredients
- 30ml Ms Sans Make Me a Sanstini
- 1 tsp sugar syrup
- Fresh lime juice
- ½ cup Bilpin Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beer
- 1 sprig of fresh mint
- 1 slice of lime
Method
In a copper mug, pour non-alcoholic vodka over ice. Add lime juice and sugar syrup. Top with ginger beer and stir well. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a slice of fresh lime.
Play around with more mocktail recipes
The market for non-alcoholic spirits and pre-made mixers has absolutely exploded in the last few years and that means one thing: it’s more fun than ever to be a mocktail connoisseur! That’s where Sans Drinks comes in. I’m here to help you make amazing mocktails that rival any of their alcoholic counterparts.
Whether you’re hosting an event or just looking for at-home inspo, you’ll find tons of mocktail recipes on the site. If you whip up one, please tag me on Instagram so I can check out your creations!
