33 Non-Alcoholic Drinks Everyone Can Enjoy This Summer
You're better than plain ol' soda.
It’s true, alcoholic drinks can make a party extra fun, and we definitely recommend going above and beyond your average beer or wine for your backyard BBQs, picnics in the park, or fun days at the beach this summer. That said, while you’re mixing up your summer cocktails and drinks, don’t forget to include mocktails too! We think they’re imperative no matter what type of party you’re having. They keep everyone refreshed and will be hugely appreciated by those not wanting to drink, whether they’re abstaining forever or just right now. Check out these 33 non-alcoholic drink recipes for inspiration—we bet you won’t even miss the alcohol.
Let’s start with the basics. A pitcher of lemonade or iced tea is classic, beloved by all, and above all, easy to throw together. Sure, you could just buy pre-made from the store, but where’s the fun in that? Homemade is always better. Plus, if you make them at home, you have the option to switch up your recipes. You could add fruit, like in our watermelon or strawberry lemonade; sweetened condensed milk, like in our Thai iced tea or whipped lemonade; or simply combine the two into an Arnold Palmer.
If you’re planning to serve frozen drinks at your party, don’t let your guests who aren’t drinking miss out on all the fun: enter, milkshakes! They’re pretty much the best fun drink on a hot day, and they go perfectly with burgers, hot dogs, and other BBQ faves. Check out our creamsicle milkshake, strawberry milkshake, or malted milkshake for flavor ideas. More of a fruit fan? Try adding sorbet to your mocktails, like in our Juneteenth punch, or just blend fruit and ice into a delicious mocktail, like our virgin piña colada or our virgin raspberry mango margarita slushies.
Best part about a mocktail? You can drink them ALL day long. With that in mind, we've also included a number of our favorite Starbucks copycats here, like our version of their pink drink or their vanilla bean and s'mores Frappuccinos. Drink 'em for breakfast, as an afternoon sweet snack, or for dessert!
For more inspiration, check out our guide to our favorite non-alcoholic spirits and wines.
Homemade Lemonade
Does anything scream summer more than an ice-cold glass of homemade lemonade? While we love adding fruity twists to this warm-weather drink, this recipe is our go-to when we’re looking for simple, classic, and ridiculously refreshing.
Get the Homemade Lemonade recipe.
Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink
In 2016 Starbucks customers swapped water for coconut milk in the Starbucks Strawberry Acaí Refresher, and the rest is history—the chain made it an official menu item less than a year after. Now you can make it at home!
Get the Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink recipe.
Blackberry Virgin Mojito
This non-alcoholic mojito is still every bit as refreshing with an easy mint simple syrup and fresh blackberries. It makes extra syrup, so you can use it in cold brew or lemonade too!
Get the Blackberry Virgin Mojito recipe.
Arnold Palmer
Half iced tea, half lemonade—100% refreshing.
Get the Perfect Arnold Palmer recipe.
Italian Soda
First introduced in San Francisco in 1925, the original recipe for Italian soda required only flavored syrup and soda water. Soon adding cream became popular, thus creating the version we know and love today. For this recipe, try out your favorite flavors or mix and match!
Get the Italian Soda recipe.
Starbucks Copycat S'mores Frappuccino
This loaded Frapp is part caffeinated beverage, part extravagant dessert. Our one main departure from the original is the addition of graham crackers to the drink—we love the flavor and texture they provide. (Plus, it really drives the s'mores flavor home.)
Shirley Temples
Transport back to your childhood with this refreshing classic made of maraschino cherries and lemon-lime soda.
Get the Shirley Temple recipe.
Virgin Raspberry Mango Margarita Slushies
When it's a real scorcher, refresh with these gorgeous virgin frozen margaritas, made zesty with lots of lime. We love layering raspberry and mango for the sweet-tart tropical flavor, but strawberry and pineapple is a solid combo too.
Creamsicle Milkshakes
Creamsicles are one of the most underrated ice cream treats—tart orange is the perfect partner for creamy, rich vanilla. These'll take you back to being a kid again.
Get the Creamsicle Milkshakes recipe.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Part watermelon juice, part limeade, and 100% refreshing, this just might be the drink of the summer. It's slightly sweet, making it a perfect daytime treat or as a mocktail option at a BBQ.
Get the Watermelon Agua Fresca recipe.
Juneteenth Punch
In this punch, Chef Millie Peartree skips ice in favor of strawberry sorbet. Not only does it keep drinks cold, but it adds a delicious creaminess as well. For best results, we recommend starting with cold ingredients and serving the drinks in chilled glasses.
Get the Juneteenth Punch recipe.
Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
Starbucks Frappuccinos® have been around since the mid-'90s, though it wasn’t until 1999 that the Caramel Frappuccino hit the scene. Prior to then, the drinks were just blended coffee and milk, so the addition of caramel and whipped cream was a HUGE deal, and it shows in this recipe!
Mango Lassi
Like a cross between a milkshake and a smoothie, mango lassi is a simple pleasure: All you need is about equal amounts of sweet mangoes and creamy full-fat yogurt, a little ice, and a high-powered blender to force the two ingredients into one drinkable treat.
Get the Mango Lassi recipe.
Chocolate Milkshake
We upgraded this summertime staple, swapping the milk for heavy cream and adding homemade chocolate sauce to get the creamiest, chocolatey-est milkshake imaginable. The secret ingredient? Just a pinch of salt.
Get the Chocolate Milkshake recipe.
Strawberry Lemonade
Freshly squeezed lemons team up with juicy strawberries for the perfect summer drink. It's tart, sweet, and all around refreshing. Be sure to strain the strawberry puree as you'll get rid of seeds and excess pulp!
Get the Strawberry Lemonade recipe.
Triple Berry Sparklers
The secret to this super patriotic refresher? The berry ice cubes. For this drink, we froze blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries in coconut water, but use this technique to improve everything from lemonade to cold brew (chocolate milk ice cubes maybe?).
Get the Triple Berry Sparklers recipe.
Iced Tea
Two tips for making the best sweet tea ever: 1) Add a little bit more sugar than you think is necessary, and 2) brew your tea extra strong. Once you pour it over ice, it'll all even out, trust us.
Get the Iced Tea recipe.
Horchata
Horchata is a popular and refreshing drink that takes on different forms across many cultures, but it always starts with a soaked nut, seed, or grain. This classic Mexican version, horchata de arroz, is made by soaking rice and almonds with cinnamon and blending everything together with milk and sweetener.
Get the Horchata recipe.
Whipped Lemonade
Blending your favorite lemonade with some sweetened condensed milk turns it into a creamy frozen drink that's sweet and tart and as refreshing as can be. We'll be skipping milkshakes for these this summer!
Get the Whipped Lemonade recipe.
Best-Ever Milkshake
Reminiscent of countertop service and carhop days, there is nothing better than a perfect milkshake. Luckily, making one at home is extremely easy. This easy milkshake recipe gives you the perfect ratio of milk to ice cream and is completely customizable!
Get the Best-Ever Milkshake recipe.
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