Mocktails to Order at a Bar: What to order when you’re not drinking
Every drink below can be made at almost any bar or restaurant from what’s already behind the counter: soda water, lemon-lime soda, fruit juices, grenadine, fresh mint, lime, simple syrup and espresso. Read the “Ask the bartender for” line out loud, or show it on your phone.
8 Non-Alcoholic Drinks Any Bar Can Make
Virgin Mojito
Ask the bartender for: Muddled fresh mint and lime with simple syrup, topped with club soda over ice.
Tropical Shirley Temple
Ask the bartender for: Pineapple and orange juice with a splash of grenadine, topped with lemon-lime soda and a cherry.
Sparkling Citrus Sunrise
Ask the bartender for: Orange and grapefruit juice with fresh lemon, a splash of grenadine and soda water.
Cucumber Mint Cooler
Ask the bartender for: Muddled cucumber and mint with fresh lime juice, topped with soda water over ice.
Spiced Cranberry Fizz
Ask the bartender for: Cranberry juice and orange juice with a splash of grenadine, topped with soda water.
Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade
Ask the bartender for: Muddled strawberries with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, topped with soda water.
Virgin Piña Colada
Ask the bartender for: Blended pineapple juice, coconut cream and a squeeze of lime, with a cherry and pineapple wedge.
Coffee Mocktini
Ask the bartender for: A shot of espresso shaken with simple syrup, a little vanilla and cream over ice, served up.At a Soda Shop?
Craving something creamy and fizzy instead? Dirty sodas are soda + flavored syrup + cream + lime, with zero alcohol. Here’s how to order a dirty soda →
Tips for Ordering a Mocktail at a Bar
- Name the ingredients, not just the drink. Not every bartender knows a “Virgin Mojito,” but everyone can muddle mint and lime.
- Ask for it in a nice glass with a garnish, so it looks like everyone else’s drink.
- If the bar has non-alcoholic spirits or ginger beer, ask what they recommend.
- Want it less sweet? Ask for half the syrup and extra soda water.
