Holidays & Occasions Thanksgiving Ideas and Tips Thanksgiving Recipes 34 Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Drinks And Mocktails To Be Thankful For By Hallie Milstein Hallie Milstein Hallie Milstein is an Editorial Fellow for Southern Living where she is primarily focused on digital production and online content creation. She covers home design, entertaining, and lifestyle across the South, keeping a watchful eye out for emerging and declining trends. Prior to her fellowship, Hallie had been published in Modern Luxury magazines, Our State Magazine, and Hudson Valley Magazine.Hallie recently graduated from North Carolina's Elon University with a degree in Journalism and Religious Studies and has continued her journey by moving even further south. A Southern transplant, Hallie is soaking up the culture, drawls, and as many biscuits as she can in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on October 9, 2023 Close Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This Thanksgiving, raise a glass and toast to what you're grateful for, booze-free. Whether you're avoiding alcohol or being mindful of those in your Thanksgiving crew who don't drink, having an alcohol-free option is a smart choice. And thanks to our mocktails and alcohol-free sippers, non-drinkers don't have to settle for water, soda, or store-bought juice. Browse our selection of fruity sweet teas, punches, mocktails, and cocktails that we've substituted the alcohol out of to add to your Thanksgiving menu. Even though you don't have to be 21 to sip these beverages, some may not be suited for kids. While Lemon-Lime-Rosemary Punch will be a hit for all ages, Lavender-Plum Shrub and Hot Spiced Tea may be a mature, acquired taste. No matter which drink you choose, what these recipes lack in alcohol, they make up for in flavor. With one of our zero-proof Thanksgiving drinks, Turkey Day can be spirited without the spirits. 01 of 34 Sparkling Punch Photo: Jennifer Davick Southern festivities call for a sweet, tart punch, and this recipe has got you covered. A little of this, a little of that, and you'll have a spruced-up, elegant version of crowd-pleasing pink lemonade. 02 of 34 Ginger-Orange Mocktails Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Three ingredients are all you need for this go-to mocktail. Citrus flavors guarantee a refreshing sip, but ginger ale adds a delightful depth of flavor perfect for the season. A can of pineapple juice tops off the recipe. 03 of 34 Apple Cider Shandy Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This recipe calls for a simple but significant twist on apple cider: Just add lime juice and some fruity garnish. Use half hard cider or stick to chilled sparkling apple cider. 04 of 34 Tarragon-Hibiscus Spritzer Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Skip the gin and you've found yourself your new signature mocktail that Thanksgiving guests will look forward to at next year's festivities. Hibiscus tea, tarragon sprigs, and tonic water stir together into a wonderfully unique drink. 05 of 34 Hot Spiced Tea Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner If you live somewhere in the South where Thanksgiving means cool weather (or even if you don't—we're looking at you, summertime hot coffee drinkers), this is the recipe you need. Brewed chai tea with fruit juices and cinnamon sticks, fresh cloves, or mulling spices will warm you and your guests right up. 06 of 34 Lemon-Mint Sparklers Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Prepare all the pieces of this drink ahead of time and mix it up right before serving. We love plating this drink as an engaging self-serve station so guests can choose from fresh lemon and mint leaves. 07 of 34 Lavender-Plum Shrub Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Torie Cox A vinegar-based drink? Don't knock it until you try it. This tangy, fruity beverage can be enjoyed hard or soft with fresh lavender. If you're looking to try something new and different this Turkey Day, this is the mocktail for you. 08 of 34 Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea Van Chaplin; Styling: Rebecca Kracke Gordon Adding fruity flavor is an easy way to spice up simple tea. We love blueberries and lemon juice for a refreshing beverage to sip on while catching up with loved ones. 09 of 34 Classic Sweet Tea Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Thanksgiving hosts have enough to worry about, so why not stick with a no-fail classic? Sweet tea is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for the whole family. 10 of 34 Pineapple-Basil Tea Iain Bagwell Thanksgiving gets an ever-so-slightly tropical taste with this take on sweet tea. It's elegant and herbaceous with pineapple and fresh basil. 11 of 34 Berry Splash Beth Dreiling Hontzas Three ingredients are all you need for a sweet sipper the whole family will love. We like to garnish it with fresh mint sprigs, strawberry leaves, and fresh berries. 12 of 34 Champagne Punch Hector Sanchez It may be surprising that a recipe with Champagne in its name can be non-alcoholic and still scrumptious. Substitute lemon-lime soda or seltzer water for the Champagne and gin, and serve it with juices so guests can customize their perfect drink. 13 of 34 Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea Jennifer Davick Classic sweet tea is a must at Southern gatherings. To give it a refreshing spin for the holiday, swap the sugar for honey. Grated fresh ginger adds zip. 14 of 34 Lemon-Lime-Rosemary Punch Alison Miksch Using rosemary sprigs, this fragrant take on citrus punch gets a Thanksgiving boost. Top your herb-infused beverage with lemon sorbet and lime sherbet before serving. 15 of 34 Berry Juniper Fizz Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Show off your mixology skills without falling back on alcohol. Non-alcoholic gin is the secret ingredient in this ruby-red mocktail with pomegranate juice and sparkling cranberry juice. 16 of 34 Sparkling Cherry Limeade Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Annette Joseph; Food Styling: Cynthia Groseclose Bursting with limey flavor like a margarita but without the tequila, this maraschino cherry-infused drink will be all the rage at your gathering. Line the glass with salt to complete the effect. 17 of 34 Cranberry Mojito Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Skip the rum and rejoice in a fresh, seasonal beverage just the same. This no-jito gets its refreshing flavors from cranberry reduction (nix the bitters!) and fresh mint leaves. 18 of 34 Spiced Hard Cider Fizz Becky Luigart Stayner To make this recipe alcohol-free, skip the bourbon and use soft cider rather than hard. Simple syrup spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, peppercorns, and fennel seeds guarantees that your substituted beverage certainly won't be lacking. 19 of 34 Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Add something special to your go-to sweet tea recipe. Jazz it up for the occasion with strawberry-basil simple syrup that adds subtle, elegant flavor. 20 of 34 Sparkling Plum Punch Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Who said plums had to be a summer fruit? We love this big-batch plum punch with sparkling cranberry juice for any special occasion. 21 of 34 Rosemary-and-Ginger Mule Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke If you love Moscow mules, you'll love this seasonal zero-proof take. Homemade rosemary syrup is the star of this herbaceous Thanksgiving mocktail. 22 of 34 Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade Ralph Anderson Making this recipe with fresh-squeezed lemon juice is a game-changer. This lemonade flavored with vanilla bean and rosemary sprigs is so much better than anything you'll find at the supermarket. 23 of 34 Fizzy Cider Punch Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith This refreshing apple cider punch is as tasty as it is pretty. Use lemon-lime soda or seltzer water for the Prosecco and brandy. 24 of 34 Sparkling Pomegranate Punch Laurey W. Glenn Skip the alcohol in this recipe, no problem. The result is a fruity, bubbly concoction fit for festivities without being too sweet. 25 of 34 Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch Alison Miksch Sorbet punch will be an instant hit. Add in the raspberry sorbet right before you serve up this festive, non-alcoholic mixture of cranberry-raspberry juice and vanilla extract to keep it fresh for thirsty guests. 26 of 34 Latria's Fruit Punch Latria Graham You can't go wrong with classic fruit punch. This version builds in layers of fruity flavor with dried hibiscus blossoms, ginger, and an assortment of juicy fruit. 27 of 34 Lemon-Basil Spritzer Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This recipe calls for sparkling wine, but we like it just as much with lemon-flavored seltzer water. This bright mocktail has lemon, fresh basil, and simple syrup, making it the perfect light complement for a hearty feast. 28 of 34 Big-Batch Mulled Cider Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Prepare this crowd-pleasing drink up to three days early and wow guests come Thanksgiving day. Keep it alcohol-free and use fresh cider made with 100 percent apple juice as a base for warm fruits and spices. 29 of 34 Comfort and Joy Mocktail Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Like a warm whiskey drink but without the booze, this beverage uses non-alcoholic whiskey for depth of flavor. Apple cider, some sweetener, and a touch of citrus brighten up this festive drink that can be enjoyed cool or hot. 30 of 34 Cranberry-Apple Cider Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Cranberry and apple cider are two of our favorite fall flavors. Mix them together, and you'll have everyone's new favorite Thanksgiving sipper. Leave the alcohol in this recipe out completely or offer it on the side so guests can mix their own cocktail if they choose. 31 of 34 Bourbon-Cider Mule Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis We nixed the bourbon in this autumnal cocktail to make an alcohol-free version bursting with all the same seasonal flare. Ginger beer adds just the right amount of spice to sweet cider inside a copper mug. 32 of 34 Minty Lemonade Iced Tea Jennifer Davick This big-batch drink starts with frozen lemonade concentrate. A hefty amount of mint steeps with the tea. You can make this a cocktail by adding rum or bourbon. 33 of 34 Chocolate-Raspberry Milk Punch Iain Bagwell After the feast, sweeten the evening with this milk punch that's good enough to serve as dessert. The chocolate-raspberry combination is inspired by a favorite truffle flavor. Add brandy for a spiked version. 34 of 34 Merry Berry Christmas, Sugar! Ralph Anderson Christmas may be part of the name, but this festive drink is too good not to serve at any celebration. Made with fruit, mint, and ginger ale, it will give the kids at your gathering something special to drink. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit