One of the best parts of travelling is trying new cuisines. When you holiday in Italy, you want to indulge in pizza, pasta, and gelato. When you visit Mexico, you want to enjoy tacos, burritos, and fresh avocados. In Thailand, it’s all about tucking into noodles, fried tofu, and mango rice.
You get the picture! But what about trying the country’s best drinks? When it’s time to sit down and sip on a refreshing beverage, which are the tastiest drinks and best mocktails to try?
23 of the Best Non-alcoholic Drinks & Mocktails Around the World
As you know, we love to find delicious mocktails with all the flavour of their classic counterparts and none of the alcohol. Plus, we don’t think you should be restricted to water or lemonade when you travel the world!
Here, you’ll find a round-up of non-alcoholic drinks that are either inspired by a country’s flavours or popular in the country in question. So, whether you’re heading on holiday and want to know what to order at the bar, or you’d like to imagine you’re travelling from the comfort of your own kitchen, we’ve got an idea for you.
Buckle up! Let’s travel around the world in 23 mocktails…
Disclaimer: It’s important to always double-check the ingredients of a drink before you try it, just to make sure that it doesn’t contain alcohol. Recipes may differ from bar to bar and country to country, so it’s always wise to check.
Singapore Sling Mocktail – Singapore
The Singapore Sling is one of the most famous cocktails in the world, but why should you have to miss out just because you don’t drink alcohol?
You can make a non-alcoholic alternative for this delicious drink at home by swapping out the alcoholic ingredients, such as by substituting cherry brandy for cherry syrup. With flavours of pineapple and orange, you can turn this cocktail into a mocktail easily without losing its fruitiness.
If you visit Singapore, simply ask the bartender if they can make you a non-alcoholic Singapore Sling with pineapple juice, orange juice, and soda. Yum!
Sugarcane Juice – Latin America, North Africa & Beyond
Sugarcane juice is enjoyed across the globe, from India to the United States to Egypt. It’s made by pressing sugarcane and, as its name suggests, has a sweet taste. Depending on where you drink it, you might also add other flavours like mint to give it a little extra boost.
Even if you don’t want to drink it fresh, some bars sell canned sugarcane juice that you can add to ice on those hotter days.
Agua Fresca – Central America
Everyone’s a little bit obsessed with agua fresca at the moment, and you might be too if you give it a try. This hydrating drink is very well-liked in Central America, including popular holiday destination Mexico, and is a tempting alternative to margaritas.
Agua fresca simply means “fresh water”, but don’t worry – it’s much more exciting than it sounds. There are lots of different variations nowadays, but agua fresca is often blended with fruit, a dash of lime, and even some spices.
So, whether you’re chilling on the beach in Mexico or visiting a bar with your friends, consider giving agua fresca a try! You can also read more about the history of agua fresca and why we think it’s one of the best non-alcoholic drinks out there here.
Pumpkin Pie Martini Mocktail – USA
When you think of the USA during the autumn months, what flavours come to mind? For us, it’s pumpkin! That’s why we’ve shared the recipe for this Pumpkin Pie Martini Mocktail to help you whip up an autumnal storm from home. We can’t guarantee that this mocktail will be served in the USA, but with ingredients like condensed milk and pumpkin purée, it definitely should be!
If you fancy a mocktail that reminds you of Halloween or the golden foliage associated with American fall, this is the one for you. Enjoy!
Agua de Horchata – Spain & Latin America
Agua de horchata might not look like the mocktails you’re used to, with brightly coloured syrups and fruity garnishes. Nevertheless, this sweet drink is not one to be missed if you’re travelling through Spain or Latin America.
Imagine creamy rice water flavoured with cinnamon and vanilla, and you’ll have an idea of what awaits you. What’s more, when it’s poured over ice, this drink is extremely refreshing. Agua de horchata is served all over Spain and Latin America, so you shouldn’t have any issues when asking for it at restaurants, bars, or hotels.
However, you can also make it yourself fairly easily. There are lots of different variations to try, but we’ve shared our favourite recipe here for you to check out. You can also make a vegan version by substituting the dairy.
Soda Chanh – Vietnam
Vietnam is full of incredible flavours and fragrances, from the fresh garlic and chilli in its national dish, pho, to the incense floating out of temples. If you’re visiting this amazing country, why not enjoy its aromas by sipping on a soda chanh?
This soda is a refreshing alternative to lemonade, with fermented lime as its key ingredient. It’s often made with soda, lime, and sugar, before being served over ice. Simple, sweet, and sublime on a hot summer’s day!
You can also make this drink at home but don’t forget to research some tips for preparing the limes like in Vietnam. This is where the magic comes from!
Hwachae – South Korea
When in South Korea, why not sip on a picture-perfect glass of hwachae? This pretty punch is often non-alcoholic, and with so many variations to choose from, you’re bound to find one that takes your fancy!
Hwachae is typically made with fruits, such as cherries, peaches, melons, or citrus fruits. Edible flowers are another tasty ingredient, so you might notice rose petals floating in yours! They’re often soaked beforehand so they’re nice and sweet, too.
We’ve never tried hwachae, so let us know what you think if you enjoy this traditional punch!
Mojito Mocktails – Cuba
Cuba is the home of one of the most famous cocktails in the world – the mojito. While this minty drink is traditionally made with rum, nothing is stopping you from sipping on a non-alcoholic alternative beneath the Cuban sun.
If you fancy a virgin Mojito, ask the bartender to hold the rum. (Don’t forget to double-check that rum is the only alcohol used in their recipe, just in case). With a zesty blend of lime, mint, and sugar, an alcohol-free mojito still packs a punch.
If you want to make your own mojito mocktail at home, we’ve got you covered! You can check out our recipe here. We also offer a few tips for really infusing your mocktail with flavour.
Margarita Mocktails – Mexico
We can’t talk about mojitos without mentioning another classic – the margarita. Although the origins of this drink are often debated, lots of us associate tequila-based margaritas with the sunny shores of Mexico.
To enjoy a margarita mocktail, ask the bartender to hold the alcohol. Depending on the bar, this might mean holding tequila or triple sec, or even both. You certainly don’t need either of these ingredients to sip on a refreshing margarita, with the combination of lime and salt leading the way.
Making a non-alcoholic margarita at home is also very simple. You can even try lots of different variations, such as spicy margaritas with a touch of fiery chilli. One of our favourites is this frozen virgin margarita recipe, which we hope you love just as much as us!
Zobo – Nigeria
If you’re travelling to Nigeria, keep your eyes peeled for the pretty pink drink zobo. This aromatic drink gets its colour from its main ingredient, dried parts of the roselle plant, which are paired with cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and other spices.
You can find this flavoursome beverage across the country, in restaurants and bars but also at parties. When you’re socialising in Nigeria, you can pretty much expect zobo to be on the menu!
Making zobo at home doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you find all the right ingredients and spend time boiling them correctly. You can read a little more about zobo and how it’s prepared here.
Bandung – Singapore
This is another drink for fans of pink! Bandung, a naturally alcohol-free drink, takes on its gorgeous pink hue from rose syrup, which also gives it a subtly floral taste. This is often mixed with condensed milk, so be aware if you don’t eat dairy.
You can enjoy this drink throughout Singapore, but it’s also popular in Malaysia and Indonesia. So, if you’re heading to the beaches of Bali or the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, look out for Bandung on the menu!
When it comes to making Bandung at home, don’t forget to add ice and a pretty garnish. This will take it from a creamy drink to a stunning mocktail – the kind that also deserves a fun glass!
Bellini Mocktails – Italy
There’s nothing like sitting in the sun and sipping a bellini – especially when it doesn’t contain alcohol and won’t leave you feeling fuzzy the next day. We love unwinding with a fruity mocktail, and when you opt for a bellini without the bubbly, you can too.
In Italy, bellinis are traditionally made with Prosecco, so simply ask the bartender to swap this for something non-alcoholic and fizzy like lemonade or soda. As long as your bellini is still made with peach purée or fresh peach, you’ll get to enjoy the fruitiness of this drink.
If you’re mixing up a bellini mocktail at home, we’ve got just the recipe. We suggest using carbonated apples (such as sparkling apple cider) and garnishing with raspberries and mint. You can check out the full recipe for our non-alcoholic peach bellini mocktail here.
Champús – Ecuador, Peru & Colombia
South America is celebrated for its flavoursome dishes, many of which are now extremely popular around the world. It’s less famous for its drinks, but if you’re visiting, there’s one in particular that you might like to try: champús.
This warming drink is made with maize and a selection of fruits, sometimes including pineapple, apple, or quince. It’s often spiced with cinnamon and cloves to give it a sweet yet aromatic flavour. It depends on which region you’re in, as there are many different ways of making it.
Ginger Beer Mocktails – Australia
Okay, so this isn’t a specific non-alcoholic drink or mocktail, per se. However, with ginger beer being very popular down under, we wanted to give you a heads-up that it’s available in lots of bars and restaurants.
There are lots of ways to turn ginger beer into a refreshing mocktail, whether you’re socialising at a bar or having a barbeque on one of Australia’s famous beaches. For instance, you could ask for a ginger beer with a dash of lime and mint leaves.
You can be as creative as you like. It’s always worth checking that you haven’t ordered an alcoholic beer accidentally, but ginger beer does tend to be just a soft drink.
Monaco Mocktails – France
Talking of ginger, we can’t forget to include this Monaco Mocktail recipe. As its name suggests, it’s thought that the Monaco cocktail originated in France, but you’ll also see it on menus in Switzerland and throughout Europe. It’s a fairly simple cocktail to make, which means it’s also very easy to adapt without alcohol.
As traditional Monaco cocktails are made with beer, you can request that alcohol-free ginger beer is used instead. If you’re drinking in a bar or restaurant that stocks alcohol-free beer, which has become popular throughout Europe, they may also be happy to use this instead!
If you’re making a Monaco mocktail at home, check out the recipe linked above for more tips and tricks. We hope you enjoy making (and drinking!) this as much as we do.
Aam Panna – India
Mango is a key ingredient for many delicious cocktails, from mango mimosas to mango daiquiris. It’s also the star of the show in aam panna, an Indian drink for those scorching hot days. The mango is usually boiled or roasted before a dash of cumin is added for extra warmth.
If you’re travelling through India, you might see this drink being served on stalls and in cafés and bars. Don’t worry if mango isn’t your thing, as there are lots of alcohol-free juices and teas served all over India.
Mimosa Mocktails – France
Let’s take it back to Europe for a moment. More specifically, let’s take it back to a very European tradition: brunching! Boozy brunches have become especially popular in recent years, with mimosas often being the tipple of choice. However, you needn’t worry if you’re sober or sober curious; mimosas are some of the best drinks to turn into mocktails!
Often, mimosas are a mix of orange juice and Champagne or Prosecco. However, you can ask for the bubbly to be swapped for lemonade, soda, or any other carbonated drink that you think would taste good with orange.
Alcohol-free and full of vitamin C, mimosa mocktails are truly scrumptious and the perfect drink to sip in the morning. If you’re not holidaying in France any time soon, you can mix up your own with this recipe.
Jallab – the Middle East
If you’re heading to the Middle East, whether it’s a glamorous trip to Dubai or an expedition in Jordan, you won’t struggle to find delicious, non-alcoholic drinks. The high temperatures in this part of the world, combined with restrictions on drinking alcohol, mean that refreshing alcohol-free drinks are very popular.
One of these drinks is jallab, a beverage that originated in Lebanon. This is a sweet, fruity drink made with dates, rose water, and grape molasses amongst other ingredients. You’ll probably want to try this drink with ice for some respite from the sun!
Cola and Fizzy Orange Mocktail – Germany
Germany may be known for its beer, but there’s another drink in town! Mixing cola and fizzy orange is very popular, and it makes for a yummy soft drink to enjoy at bars and restaurants. There are many branded options to choose from, such as ‘Spezi’ and ‘Mezzo Mix’, or you can simply make your own.
If you want something a little fruitier than cola but something a little less tangy than fizzy orange, this could be the drink of choice for you. Plus, if you want to turn this soft drink into an Instagrammable mocktail, all you need to do is add ice, an orange slice, and a funky glass. This is one if the best non-alcoholic drinks in Germany in our opinion, so let us know what you think!
Mai Tai Mocktails – Hawaii
The Mai Tai is a classic drink that you’ll see on most cocktail menus, but did you know that it allegedly became popular in Hawaii? It’s not surprising that it’s now loved across the globe, but don’t worry – you don’t need to drink alcohol to enjoy its tropical taste.
If you’re ordering at a bar, ask for a virgin Mai Tai (one without rum or any liqueur). If the bartender doesn’t already have a recipe, you could ask them to simply leave out the rum and swap the liqueur for a fruit juice of your choice.
That’s what this mai tai recipe does. It mixes orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice and lime juice with a handful of other ingredients to give you a thirst-quenching drink with lots of flavours and zero alcohol. In our opinion, this is one of the best mocktails on the list.
Bubble Tea – Taiwan
Bubble tea might have its roots in Taiwan, but you can find it almost everywhere nowadays. You might have already tried this delicious drink, but nowhere serves it better than its home country! If you’re travelling in Taiwan and fancy sipping on a non-alcoholic drink that’s just as pretty and flavoursome as a cocktail, then bubble tea might be the perfect choice.
Despite its name, bubble tea is typically served cold over ice. Its base ingredients are tea, milk, and chewy tapioca balls, but it’s also available in lots of tempting flavours. Coffee, mango, caramel…The options are endless! You can also ask for plant-based milk as many bars and cafés will offer this.
Visinada – Greece
Going to Greece is the ultimate summer holiday. Whether you’re looking out across the Mediterranean Sea or learning about Ancient Greek civilisations in Athens, there’s so much to do. After a jam-packed day of exploring Greece, you’ll certainly enjoy a glass of ice-cold visinada!
Made with sour cherries, visinada is sure to quench your thirst beneath the Greek sun. This mouth-watering drink is typically made by mixing cherry syrup with water or soda, so it’s both sweet and hydrating. You can adapt the cherry taste by pouring in more syrup or diluting it with water, so it depends on your preferences. However you take your visinada, don’t forget to top it off with ice!
Pina Colada Mocktails – Puerto Rico
If you like pina coladas (no pun intended!), then we’ve got just the right alcohol-free recipe for you. This virgin pina colada recipe offers all the taste of the beach with none of the alcohol, making it a must-try whether you’re in sunny Puerto Rico or at home.
Luckily, pina coladas are very easy to adapt. When ordering this drink in Puerto Rico (or elsewhere), simply ask the bartender to leave out the rum. This is typically the only alcohol used, but it’s always important to double-check as some bars create their own recipes.
When making it at home, make sure to add a pineapple slice or cherries for an extra touch of pizzazz. If you’re not sipping it on a beach, you should at least treat yourself to a garnish!
Find the best mocktails and recipes at Mocktail.Net
Remember that wherever you go in the world, you should be able to enjoy fruit juices, soft drinks, and even coffee over ice with garnishes. Simply ask the bartender which options are available to you or make up your own, such as by pairing orange juice with lemonade and mint. You never need to miss out.
For even more mocktail inspiration and recipes for all the best non-alcoholic drinks to mix up at home, check out the rest of our site. The Mocktail.Net community welcomes you!
P.S. In your opinion, what are the best mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks around? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
