The holidays are here, and let’s be real, food isn’t the only thing people are excited about. The drinks matter too. From cozy nights in to family gatherings and friend-filled celebrations, a festive sip is part of the experience.

The problem? Holiday drink menus often lean heavy on alcohol. That can leave some guests awkwardly declining drinks or feeling like they need to explain themselves. And nobody wants to have that conversation while holding a paper plate of mac and cheese.

The good news: you can make your holiday gatherings more fun, inclusive, and memorable with mocktails that feel just as special as the real thing. No alcohol required.

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Whether someone is sober-curious, skipping alcohol for health reasons, pregnant, or just not in the mood, these drinks make sure everyone has something festive in their glass. Bonus? They’re delicious enough that even the cocktail lovers will be asking for refills.

So grab your favorite glassware, cue the holiday playlist, and let’s get into 15 Christmas mocktails that bring all the cheer without the hangover.

Cozy, Warm, and Comforting

Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine

This one smells like Christmas before you even take a sip. Think warm spices, citrus, and rich fruit flavors that instantly make your home feel festive.

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Servings: 6

Ingredients

1. 2 cups pomegranate juice
2. 2 ⅓ tablespoons golden caster sugar
3. handful of frozen blackberries
4. 1 cup apple juice
5. 1 cinnamon stick
6. 1 star anise
7. 4 cloves
8. 3 black peppercorns
9. 1 orange
10. quartered

Method:

1. Put the pomegranate juice, sugar, blackberries, and apple juice in a saucepan. Add the cinnamon, star anise, cloves, peppercorn,s and orange. Heat gently until simmering. 
2. Taste for sweetness, then strain into heatproof glasses.

Christmas Coffee

Perfect for post-dinner lounging or late-night gift wrapping. It’s warm, aromatic, and just indulgent enough.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1. 4 tablespoons ground coffee
2. 1 small cinnamon stick
3. 2 pitted dates
4. Pinch of ground nutmeg
5. 2 cloves
6. Strip of pared orange zest

Method: 

1. Put the ground coffee, cinnamon stick, and dates in a large cafetiere. Add the ground nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest, then pour over 1 ¾ cups freshly boiled water.
2. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to combine, then leave to steep for 4 minutes. Slowly push down the plunger and serve in espresso cups.

Hot Buttered Yum

Creamy, spiced, and nostalgic. This is the drink that feels like a holiday hug in a mug.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1. 2 (12-oz) cans cream soda
2. ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3. 2 star anise pods, plus more for garnish
4. ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
5. ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
6. ¼ tsp. ground allspice

Method: 

1. Pour soda into a pitcher or 4-cup (or larger) measuring cup and stir with a spoon until foam subsides and carbonation dissipates, 3 to 4 minutes. 
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice and stir to combine. Add cream soda and simmer, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve warm, garnished with cinnamon sticks.
   

Woodchuck Warmer Apple Cider

Slow-simmered apple cider with cozy spices that tastes like winter in the best way possible.

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

1. 6 large or 8 medium apples, chopped, plus slices for garnish
2. 1 lemon, halved
3. 3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish
4. 1 teaspoon whole cloves
5. 2 star anise, plus more for garnish
6. 1 (2 1/2-inch) piece fresh ginger, sliced
7. ¼ to ½ cup pure maple syrup

Method: 

1. Place apples, lemon, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and ginger in an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. Add just enough water to cover apples (about 4 1/2 cups). Close and set to cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Turn off and allow to depressurize naturally for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. 
2. Strain contents through a fine mesh strainer, pressing out all liquid. Stir in maple syrup to taste. 
3. Pour liquid into glasses, dividing equally. Top with hot cider and garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.

Bright, Sparkly, and Party-Ready

Non-Alcoholic Lemon Drop Martini

Zesty, refreshing, and a little fancy. Ideal for holiday dinners where the vibe is “dress cute, sip slow.”

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1. ½ lemon zested, plus 15ml lemon juice
2. 1 tablespoon golden caster sugar
3. 3 teaspoons alcohol-free gin or water
4. 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
5. 1 tablespoon marmalade
6. Ice

Method:

1. Combine the lemon zest and sugar on a small plate. Dip the rim of a coupe glass in water, then the sugar mixture. Set aside.
2. Put all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels icy cold. Strain through a fine sieve into the prepared glass.

Sparkling Pear Punch

Light, bubbly, and perfect for serving a crowd. This one looks beautiful on a table and tastes even better.

Servings: 10

Ingredients

1. 1 (750-ml.) bottle chilled sparkling wine
2. 3 cups chilled pear nectar
3. 2 tablespoons orange bitters
4. Ice ring (optional)
5. Strips of orange zest, for serving

Method:

1. Combine sparkling wine, pear nectar, and orange bitters in a punch bowl. Top with an ice ring (optional). Serve with strips of orange zest.

Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch

Sweet, citrusy, and festive with pops of pomegranate and rosemary. A true centerpiece drink.

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

1. 2 pears, sliced
2. 2 lemons – 1 sliced, 1 juiced
3. 2 tablespoons caster sugar
4. 1 teaspoon mixed spice
5. 1 ¾ cups white grape juice
6. 1 cup ginger ale
7. 2 cups sparkling water
8. Ice
9. Handful of pomegranate seeds
10. Rosemary sprigs, to serve

Method:

1. Put the pear and lemon slices, sugar, and mixed spice in a large punch bowl or jug, and chill for up to 1 hr to infuse.
2. Add the lemon juice and grape juice, stirring to dissolve any sugar. Stir in your chosen spirit, if using.
3. Pour in the ginger ale and sparkling water, then add a few large handfuls of ice. Sprinkle over the pomegranate seeds and drop in a few sprigs of rosemary.

Creamy, Indulgent Favorites

Non-Alcoholic Irish Cream Liqueur

Rich, smooth, and perfect over ice. This one feels grown, cozy, and luxurious.

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

1. ¾ cup double cream
2. 3 ¼ tablespoons evaporated milk
3. 2 tablespoons maple syrup
4. 1 ¾ tablespoons freshly brewed espresso
5. Pinch of ground cinnamon
6. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7. Pinch of finely grated orange zest
8. Ice

Method:

1. Put all the ingredients in a large cocktail shaker or jug with a generous handful of ice.
2. If using a shaker, shake well until the outside feels cold, then double-strain into tumblers. If using a jug, stir well until combined. Serve poured over ice.

Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

A holiday classic that delivers all the creamy comfort without the alcohol.

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

1. 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped out
2. 4 egg yolks
3. ½ cup sugar syrup
4. ½ cup double cream
5. 2 cups whole milk
6. Ice

Method:

1. Put the vanilla seeds in a large bowl. Add the egg yolks and sugar syrup, and beat with an electric whisk until pale, about 2-3 mins. Add the cream and milk, and beat again until just combined.
2. Fill a large jug with ice, then strain in the eggnog mixture. Stir gently until the outside of the jug feels cold, then pour the eggnog into tumblers to serve.

Coconut Coquitos

Sweet, spiced, and tropical with a holiday twist. A crowd-pleaser that disappears fast.

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

1. 2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
2. 2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
3. 1 (15-ounce) can cream of coconut
4. 1 vanilla bean, halved and seeds scraped out
5. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6. 2 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving
7. ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
8. Pinch of kosher salt

Method:

1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream of coconut, vanilla bean and scrapings, ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and salt in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and let steep at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days. (Chill if steeping for longer than 30 minutes.)
2. Discard solids. Serve over ice, garnished with cinnamon sticks.

Fresh, Fruity, and Feel-Good Sips

Clementine Mojito Mocktail

Bright citrus, mint, and bubbles make this one refreshing and festive.

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1. 1 clementine
2. ½ teaspoon demerara sugar
3. 1 lemon wedge, chopped
4. Ice
5. Small handful of mint, woody stalks removed
6. A few drops of orange blossom water
7. sparkling water to top up

Method:

1. Juice half the clementine and chop the other half into small pieces. Pour the juice into a glass and stir in the sugar. Tip in the chopped clementine and lemon, then crush using a muddler.
2. Add a handful of ice, the mint, and the orange blossom. Top up slowly with sparkling water.

Apple Cooler

Crisp, lightly sweet, and herb-kissed. Perfect for guests who like their drinks refreshing and balanced.

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1. Ice
2. 1 ¾ tablespoons cloudy apple juice
3. 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
4. 1 teaspoon of the syrup from a jar of stem ginger
5. ½ cup sparkling rhubarb soda
6. 1 rosemary sprig to garnish

Method: 

1. Fill a tumbler with ice, then pour in the apple juice, cider vinegar, stem ginger syrup, and stir. Slowly top up with the sparkling rhubarb soda.
2. Stir again with a sprig of rosemary and leave it in the drink as the garnish.

Fresh Cider Mule

Spicy ginger, apple cider, and bubbles come together for a drink that feels bold and bright.

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

1. 1 (1-liter) bottle fresh apple cider
2. 2 (3-inch) pieces ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
3. 8 strips lemon peel
4. ½ cup pure honey
5. Club Soda, chilled
6. Thinly sliced apple and candied ginger, for garnish

Method: 

1. Bring apple cider, ginger, lemon peel, and honey to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and cool completely; cover and refrigerate overnight. Strain through a wire-mesh strainer. 
2. Divide cider between glasses. Top with ice, and splash of club soda. Garnish with sliced apple and candied ginger.

Cranberry-Ginger Shrub

Tart, tangy, and refreshing with a little kick. This one feels modern and fun.

Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

1. 1 (16-oz.) bag cranberries
2. 1 cup cider vinegar
3. ½ cup water
4. ½ cup sugar
5. 1 (1 1/2-inch) piece peeled and sliced fresh ginger
6. 2 cinnamon sticks
7. Ice and club soda, for serving

Method: 

1. Combine cranberries, vinegar, water, sugar, ginger, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until berries start to break down, 10 to 15 minutes; cool completely. 
2. Strain through a fine wire-mesh strainer, mashing mixture to release liquid; discard solids and chill. To serve, pour 1 oz. over ice and top with club soda.

Dessert-Inspired Treats

Non-Alcoholic Amaretto Sour

Sweet, tangy, and almond-forward with a frothy finish that feels extra special.

Servings: 2

Ingredients

1. ½ cup pineapple juice
2. ¼ cup lemon juice
3. ½ egg white
4. 2 teaspoons syrup
5. Cocktail cherries to serve
6. A few drops almond extract

Method:

1. Put the pineapple juice, lemon juice, egg white, cherry syrup, and almond extract into a blender. Whisk the mixture a few times at a high speed, until the mixture is pale and starting to increase in volume. 
2. If your blender is suitable for use with ice, add a few handfuls and pulse twice more to chill the mixture. Alternatively, stir in the ice until the outside of the jug feels cold. 
3. Pour into glasses and garnish with the cherries to serve.

Hosting Tip: Make It a Mocktail Moment

If you’re hosting this holiday season, offering non-alcoholic drinks isn’t just thoughtful, it’s stylish. Set up a mocktail station with garnishes like citrus slices, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and festive glassware. Let guests mix, sip, and celebrate their way.

You can even turn these recipes into signature holiday drinks that become part of your family traditions.

Because the best holiday memories aren’t about what’s missing from the glass. They’re about good company, good vibes, and drinks that make everyone feel included.

Cheers to festive sipping, full hearts, and joyful gatherings all season long.