14 Holiday Mocktails and Punch Recipes Everyone Can Raise a Glass To

The holidays are full of toasts, cheers and clinking glasses, and everyone deserves something special in their hand, whether they are 8 or 80, driving home, expecting a baby or simply skipping alcohol this year. These holiday mocktails and punch recipes are bright, bubbly and so pretty that nobody will miss the booze. Most take five minutes and simple ingredients from any grocery store. Let us fill those glasses..

Sparkling Pomegranate Cranberry Fizz, the Star of Holiday Mocktails

This ruby red sparkler looks like it came from a fancy hotel bar, yet it takes about three minutes. Tart cranberry and pomegranate juice are topped with chilled sparkling water, and a rosemary sprig makes it smell like a Christmas tree. Sugared cranberries on a pick are the showstopper garnish, and you can make them a day ahead. Quick poll: would you serve it in A) coupe glasses, B) champagne flutes, or C) mason jars?

You will need: 1 cup pomegranate juice, 1 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened or light), 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 to 2 tbsp honey or simple syrup, 2 cups chilled sparkling water, rosemary sprigs, fresh cranberries, sugar for coating, pomegranate seeds.

How to make it: 1. For sugared cranberries, roll damp cranberries in sugar and let them dry for 1 hour. 2. Stir the pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, lime and honey in a pitcher. 3. Chill well. 4. Fill glasses halfway with the juice mix. 5. Top with sparkling water. 6. Garnish with rosemary, a few pomegranate seeds and sugared cranberries on a pick.

Big Batch Punch, the Easiest of All Holiday Mocktails

Every party needs one big, beautiful punch that guests can serve themselves. This one mixes cranberry, orange and pineapple juice with ginger ale, and floating slices of orange, apple and fresh berries make it look like a work of art in a glass dispenser. Freeze some of the juice in a ring mold so the punch stays cold without getting watered down. How many guests are you expecting this year?

You will need: 4 cups cranberry juice, 2 cups orange juice, 2 cups pineapple juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 liters ginger ale (chilled), 1 orange, 1 apple, 1 cup fresh cranberries or berries, ice ring or ice.

How to make it: 1. The night before, freeze 2 cups of the juice mix with some berries in a ring mold. 2. Stir the cranberry, orange, pineapple and lime juice in a big dispenser or punch bowl. 3. Slice the orange and apple thinly and add them with the berries. 4. Just before serving, pour in the ginger ale. 5. Add the ice ring and serve.

Virgin Sangria With Winter Fruit

All the fun of sangria with none of the wine. Red grape juice and a splash of black tea give this pitcher the deep color and gentle bite of the real thing, while oranges, apples, berries and a cinnamon stick soak in to make it taste like the holidays. Of all the holiday mocktails here, this one tastes most like the grown up original. Make it in the morning for an evening party. Would you add sparkling water for bubbles?

You will need: 3 cups red grape juice, 1 cup brewed black tea (cooled), 1 cup orange juice, 1 orange (sliced), 1 apple (diced), 1 cup mixed berries, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 cup sparkling water (optional).

How to make it: 1. Stir the grape juice, tea and orange juice in a large pitcher. 2. Add the orange, apple, berries and cinnamon stick. 3. Chill at least 2 hours so the fruit flavors blend. 4. Add the sparkling water just before serving. 5. Pour into glasses over ice with plenty of fruit.

Cranberry Lemon Fizz With Rosemary

Sweet tart and bright pink, this fizz is sunshine in the middle of winter. Fresh lemon juice cuts through the cranberry, and a quick rosemary syrup adds a piney, woodsy aroma that feels made for December. It is lovely for brunch, a cookie swap or a quiet night by the fire, and it is one of our favorite holiday mocktails to make ahead. Keep a jar of rosemary syrup in the fridge and you can mix one up in seconds all season long.

You will need: 1/2 cup cranberry juice, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp rosemary syrup, sparkling water, ice, lemon slices, rosemary; syrup: 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, 2 rosemary sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Simmer the sugar, water and rosemary for 5 minutes, then cool and strain. 2. Fill a glass with ice. 3. Add the cranberry juice, lemon juice and 1 tbsp syrup. 4. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. 5. Garnish with lemon and a rosemary sprig.

Sparkling Apple Cranberry Holiday Mocktails

Apple and cranberry is a match made for cold weather. Crisp apple juice, a splash of cranberry and a little sparkling cider make this spritz light, refreshing and festive. Thin apple slices floating on top look elegant and taste great after soaking up the bubbles. Serve these holiday mocktails in wine glasses to make everyone feel included in the toast. Who are you raising a glass to this year?

You will need: 2 cups apple juice or cider, 1 cup cranberry juice, 2 cups sparkling apple cider or sparkling water, 1 tbsp lemon juice, thin apple slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks.

How to make it: 1. Stir the apple juice, cranberry juice and lemon juice in a pitcher. 2. Chill until cold. 3. Pour into ice filled glasses about two thirds full. 4. Top with sparkling cider or sparkling water. 5. Garnish with apple slices, cranberries and a cinnamon stick.

Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer

Pomegranate juice is deep red and tangy, and fresh ginger gives this spritzer a gentle warming kick. It is less sweet than most party drinks, which many grown ups love. Make a quick ginger syrup or simply use ginger beer for an even faster version. Rub a lime wedge around the rim and dip it in sugar to make these holiday mocktails sparkle. Do you like your drinks sweet or tart?

You will need: 1/2 cup pomegranate juice, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger or 1 tbsp ginger syrup, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 cup sparkling water or ginger beer, ice, pomegranate seeds, lime wedge, sugar for the rim (optional).

How to make it: 1. Rim the glass with lime and sugar if you like. 2. Shake the pomegranate juice, ginger and lime with ice, then strain into the glass. 3. Top with sparkling water or ginger beer. 4. Drop in a spoon of pomegranate seeds. 5. Serve right away.

Virgin Mojito, Fresh and Minty

A virgin mojito is cool, crisp and wonderfully refreshing after a heavy holiday meal. Muddling fresh mint with lime and a little sugar releases all the oils, and sparkling water does the rest. Add a handful of cranberries or pomegranate seeds and it joins the holiday mocktails lineup in festive red and green. Kids love helping to smash the mint. Mint lovers, is this your new favorite?

You will need: 10 fresh mint leaves, 1/2 lime (cut into wedges), 2 tsp sugar or honey, crushed ice, 3/4 cup sparkling water, a few cranberries or pomegranate seeds (optional), mint sprig to garnish.

How to make it: 1. Muddle the mint, lime wedges and sugar in a tall glass until fragrant. 2. Fill the glass with crushed ice. 3. Pour in the sparkling water. 4. Stir gently to bring the mint up. 5. Add the berries and a mint sprig.

Ginger Mule Mocktail in a Copper Mug

The famous copper mug drink works beautifully without vodka. Spicy ginger beer, fresh lime and plenty of ice make a zingy, refreshing drink with real attitude. The copper mug keeps it icy cold, but any glass works fine. For a holiday twist, add a splash of cranberry juice and a sprig of rosemary. The friend who always says they will just have water deserves holiday mocktails too, and this one is perfect for them.

You will need: 1 cup non alcoholic ginger beer, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp cranberry juice (optional), ice, lime wheel, mint or rosemary sprig.

How to make it: 1. Fill a copper mug or glass with ice. 2. Squeeze in the lime juice. 3. Add the cranberry juice if you like. 4. Top with ginger beer. 5. Stir once and garnish with lime and a herb sprig.

Grapefruit Rosemary Spritz, Holiday Mocktails for Grown Ups

Pink grapefruit is a winter citrus star, and its gently bitter edge makes this spritz taste sophisticated. A touch of honey balances the tartness, and a rosemary sprig turns it into a holiday drink. It feels like something you would order on a rooftop bar, but it is completely alcohol free. One note: grapefruit can interact with some medicines, so check with your doctor or pharmacist if that applies to you. Would you try it?

You will need: 1/2 cup fresh pink grapefruit juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 cup sparkling water or tonic, ice, grapefruit slice, rosemary sprig.

How to make it: 1. Stir the grapefruit juice, honey and lime until the honey dissolves. 2. Pour over ice in a wine glass. 3. Top with sparkling water or tonic. 4. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and rosemary. 5. Serve chilled.

Virgin Mimosas, Holiday Mocktails for Brunch

Christmas morning and New Year’s Day brunch both call for mimosas, and this version lets everyone at the table join in. Fresh orange juice and chilled sparkling white grape juice make a sweet, bubbly drink in seconds. Set up a mimosa bar with different juices like mango, cranberry and pineapple, and let guests mix their own. Which juice would you choose: orange, cranberry or mango?

You will need: 2 cups fresh orange juice (chilled), 1 bottle (750 ml) sparkling white grape juice (chilled), orange slices, optional: mango, cranberry or pineapple juice.

How to make it: 1. Chill everything well. 2. Fill flutes halfway with orange juice. 3. Top slowly with sparkling grape juice. 4. Garnish with an orange slice. 5. For a mimosa bar, set out several juices and let guests mix their own.

Sparkling Apple Cider Punch

Apple cider is the taste of the season, and turning it into a sparkling punch makes it party ready. Cider, a splash of orange juice and ginger ale come together in a big pitcher with cinnamon sticks and slices of apple. It is sweet, spiced and bubbly, and it goes with everything from turkey to sugar cookies. Among holiday mocktails, it is the one kids ask for again and again. Want it warm instead? Skip the ginger ale and simmer it with spices.

You will need: 6 cups apple cider, 1 cup orange juice, 3 cups ginger ale (chilled), 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 apple (thinly sliced), 1 orange (sliced), ice.

How to make it: 1. Stir the cider and orange juice in a large pitcher. 2. Add the cinnamon sticks and fruit. 3. Chill at least 1 hour. 4. Add the ginger ale just before serving. 5. Pour over ice.

Warm Mulled Grape Juice for Cozy Holiday Nights

Mulled wine is a European Christmas market classic, and this alcohol free version gives you all of that warm, spiced comfort. Red grape juice simmers gently with orange slices, cinnamon, cloves and star anise until your whole home smells like the holidays. Keep it warm in a slow cooker so guests can ladle their own. Love warm drinks? Try these cozy hot drinks for cold nights too.

You will need: 6 cups red grape juice, 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 orange (sliced), 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 whole cloves, 2 star anise, 1 tbsp honey (optional), 1 inch ginger (sliced).

How to make it: 1. Put everything in a large pot. 2. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat; do not boil. 3. Simmer 20 minutes so the spices infuse. 4. Strain out the cloves if you like. 5. Ladle into mugs and garnish with an orange slice.

Creamy Homemade Eggnog, No Alcohol Needed

Rich, creamy and dusted with nutmeg, eggnog is the official drink of holiday nostalgia. Homemade tastes far better than the carton, and this cooked version heats the egg yolks gently to 160F, which keeps it safe and silky. It is rich, so small glasses are perfect. Eggnog is one of the most divisive holiday drinks out there. Tell us: are you A) obsessed or B) not a fan?

You will need: 4 egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the yolks and sugar until pale. 2. Heat the milk, cream, nutmeg and cinnamon until steaming. 3. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the yolks. 4. Return to the pot and stir over low heat until it reaches 160F and coats a spoon. 5. Stir in the vanilla and salt. 6. Chill completely and serve with extra nutmeg.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa With Marshmallows

End the night with the cup that makes everyone feel like a kid again. Real cocoa and a little chocolate melted into warm milk make this drink rich and smooth, and a candy cane stirrer adds a cool peppermint twist. Pile on marshmallows or whipped cream, and maybe some crushed candy canes too. So, which of these holiday mocktails and punch recipes will you serve first this season?

You will need: 2 cups milk (any kind), 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 oz dark or semi sweet chocolate (chopped), 1/4 tsp peppermint extract or 2 candy canes, mini marshmallows, whipped cream (optional).

How to make it: 1. Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. 2. Whisk in the cocoa and sugar until smooth. 3. Add the chocolate and stir until melted. 4. Stir in the peppermint extract. 5. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows and a candy cane.