11 Easy and Fun Mocktail Recipes for Pregnancy and Beyond (original) (raw)

It might seem like lots of foods and drinks are off-limits when you’re pregnant—alcohol being at the top of the list (and for good reasons). But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious beverage! Whether you miss going out for margaritas with tequila, are looking for alcohol-free baby shower drink ideas or just want to sip on something more interesting than water, there are plenty of pregnancy mocktail recipes for every taste. Here are some of our favorite mocktails for pregnancy, from mojitos to mudslides.

Mocktail recipes in this article:

In this article:

Watermelon margarita mocktail

Orange and peach margarita mocktail

Pine-jalapeño “mock-jito”

Piña colada mocktail

Pumpkin pie “Preggatini”

Mudslide mocktail

Sangria mocktail

Apple and ginger beer mocktail

Berry and sage spritzer mocktail

White Russian mocktail

Apple pie “mock-tini”

Image: Kerry Benson, MS, RD / Diana Licalzi, MS, RD

Watermelon Margarita Mocktail Recipe

This watermelon “mock-a-rita” from Drinking for Two: Nutritious Mocktails for the Mom-to-Be, by Kerry Benson, MS, RD, and Diana Licalzi, MS, RD, (aka The Sober Curious Dietitians) is super-hydrating and refreshing—just what you need during pregnancy.

You’ll need:

• For the salted rim: lime wedges, sea salt
• 1 ½ cups fresh watermelon, seeds removed
• ¼ cup lime juice
• ½ cup coconut water
• Dash of salt
• 2 cups ice
• Watermelon slice for garnish

Steps:

• Salt the rims of the serving glasses
• Blend watermelon until it forms a juice
• In a shaker, combine watermelon juice, lime juice, salt and coconut water. Add ice and shake vigorously
• Serve in lowball glasses over ice. (You can serve frozen too!)
• Garnish with watermelon slices

Image: Katheryn Moran | Shutterstock

Orange and Peach Margarita Mocktail Recipe

Alyssa Gusenoff, author of Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be, says her signature “Margarita Mama” recipe makes enough for six people. (It’s perfect for a baby shower!)

You’ll need:

• 12 oz. frozen limeade
• 6 oz. orange juice
• 10 oz. water
• 2 oz. peach juice
• 8 oz. ginger ale
• 1 cup ice
• 6 lime wedges
• Kosher salt for garnish

Steps:

• Blend limeade, orange juice, water, peach juice, ginger ale and ice until smooth
• Garnish with limes and salt as desired

Image: Kerry Benson, MS, RD / Diana Licalzi, MS, RD

Pine-Jalapeño Mojito Mocktail Recipe

If you’re looking for sweet and spicy pregnancy mocktails, this “mock-jito” from Drinking for Two is a top pick for you.

You’ll need:

• 20 fresh mint leaves
• 2 lime wedges
• 2 cups diced fresh or frozen pineapple (thaw if frozen)
• 2-4 thinly sliced rounds of jalapeño or as desired, seeds removed (remove seeds for mild heat; leave seeds for more intense heat)
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• ⅔ cup coconut water
• ½-¾ cup seltzer
• 2 cups ice
• Additional mint leaves, pineapple and jalapeño slices for garnish
• Optional: 1-2 tsp. light agave

Steps:

• To make pineapple puree: blend pineapple with coconut water, lime juice and apple cider vinegar
• Muddle the lime wedges, mint leaves and jalapeño slices in a shaker
• Add ice and pineapple puree to shaker. Shake vigorously
• Fill glasses with ice and divide the shaken mixture, including the muddled lime, mint leaves and jalapeño slices, between the two glasses
• Top with seltzer and stir
• Garnish with mint sprigs, pineapple or jalapeño slices (if you dare!)

Image: Kerry Benson, MS, RD / Diana Licalzi, MS, RD

Piña Colada Mocktail Recipe

The Sober Dietitians’ pregnant-friendly take on the piña colada uses frozen cauliflower to add creaminess—and sneak in some veggies. The recipe advises to stick with frozen fruit here: If you have fresh fruit on hand, freeze it ahead of time or be sure to add 1 or 2 cups of ice to the recipe to make it the right consistency. (Keep in mind that this will increase the quantity.)

You’ll need:

• 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (carton) (use more if needed to facilitate blending)
• ¼ cup coconut milk (canned)
• ½ cup frozen cauliflower or cauliflower rice (“We highly recommend using frozen cauliflower!”)
• Squeeze of fresh lime juice
• Pineapple or orange slices and sweet cherries for garnish

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to blender
• Blend on high until smooth and frothy
• Garnish with pineapple, orange slices or maraschino cherries

Image: Yulia Furman | Shutterstock

Pumpkin Pie “Preggatini” Recipe

Looking for fall-friendly mocktail recipes? Natalie Bovis, a beverage consultant, mixology expert and author of Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be, concocted the pumpkin pie “Preggatini” for a bit of alcohol-free autumnal fun. Make sure to serve it in a fun glass: “Fancy glassware and beautiful, aromatic garnishes are wonderful additions to elevate these nonalcoholic cocktails for any celebratory gathering,” says Bovis.

You’ll need:

• 2 graham crackers
• 1 oz. spiced cordial syrup (or 1 oz. maple syrup)
• 2 oz. milk
• 1 ½ oz. sweetened condensed milk
• 1 heaping tbl. canned pumpkin
• 1 dollop whipped cream, for garnish

Steps:

• To rim the glass: Finely grind graham crackers in a food processor. Pour them onto a small plate. On a separate plate, pour a small amount of spiced syrup. Dip the rim of a martini glass into the syrup and then into the graham crackers, and set aside
• Vigorously shake the milk, sweetened condensed milk, remaining syrup and pumpkin in a mixing glass with ice
• Slowly strain into the rimmed glass
• Top with a dollop of whipped cream

Image: Brent Hofacker | Shutterstock

Mudslide Mocktail Recipe

If you’re looking for dessert pregnancy mocktails, Margarita Mama has you covered. (Just make sure you’re not overdoing it with caffeine during pregnancy—you can easily substitute some of the ingredients!)

You’ll need:

• 2 scoops coffee ice cream
• ½ cup chocolate milk
• 1 cup ice
• 2 tbl. chocolate syrup (divided)
• Whipped cream for garnish

Steps:

• Blend coffee ice cream, chocolate milk, ice and 1 tbl. chocolate syrup until smooth
• Garnish with whipped cream and remaining 1 tbl. chocolate syrup

Image: Claire Barrett

Sangria Mocktail Recipe

You can make this citrusy sangria mocktail with any non-alcoholic wine you like—red, white or sparkling. It comes from Bovis’ new version of Preggatinis.

You’ll need:

• 1 orange, cut into slices with peel on
• 1 lemon, cut into slices with peel on
• 1 lime, cut into slices with peel on
• 2 cups tangerine juice (or orange juice)
• 1 cup non-alcoholic brandy or non-alcoholic rum
• ¾ cup hibiscus flower syrup
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 1 bottle alcohol-removed wine

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients
• Cover and refrigerate for at least three hours
• Ladle the sangria into wine goblets or punch cups when ready to serve

Image: Claire Barrett

Apple and Ginger Beer Mocktail Recipe

Bovis calls this pregnancy mocktail The Last Apple, in honor of the children’s book The Giving Tree. “Just when a mama feels she has nothing left to give, she’ll dig deep to comfort her child. As you prepare for all the future holds, remember to take time to also nurture yourself in the busy months and years to come,” she says.

You’ll need:

• 4 oz. spiced apple cider (cold or warm)
• ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz. ginger beer
• Red apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon, for garnish

Steps:

• Pour cider and ginger beer into a cocktail glass.
• Cut the red apple slices very thin, then slide them onto a drink pick and fan them out.
• Sprinkle the apple slices with cinnamon and place them on top of the glass.

Image: Kerry Benson, MS, RD / Diana Licalzi, MS, RD

Berry and Sage Spritzer Mocktail Recipe

Benson and Licalzi note that you might associate sage with Thanksgiving mocktail recipes—but this vibrant mocktail is perfect any time of year. (If you’re not into sage, you can substitute mint or other fresh herbs!)

You’ll need:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries or cherries
• 1 tbl. lime juice
• 1 tsp. honey
• ⅓ cup coconut water
• 1 cup seltzer
• 4 sage leaves
• Additional blackberries and sage leaves for garnish

Steps:

• Muddle blackberries with sage leaves and honey in the bottom of a shaker
• Add lime juice and coconut water; fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain, if desired
• Divide the shaken mixture between two ice-filled lowball glasses.
• Top with seltzer and stir
• Garnish with fresh sage and blackberries

Image: Kerry Benson, MS, RD / Diana Licalzi, MS, RD

White Russian Mocktail Recipe

This coconut-flavored mocktail is perfect if you’re craving coffee but are looking to cut back, say Benson and Licalzi—there are only 2 ounces per serving.

You’ll need:

• ¼ cup coconut milk (canned)
• ¼ cup non-dairy milk
• ½ cup coffee (regular or decaf), brewed and cooled
• 1 tsp. non-alcoholic vanilla extract (conventional pure vanilla extract contains alcohol, so they recommend using a non-alcoholic option)
• 1-2 tsp. sweetener (maple syrup or light agave work well). 2 tsp. sweetener are recommended if you’re using strong coffee.

Steps:

• Shake canned coconut milk before opening. You can also blend the coconut milk in a food processor to make sure it’s well-mixed
• In a shaker with ice, combine coffee, vanilla and sweetener
• Divide the mixture between two ice-filled lowball glasses
• Combine coconut cream and nondairy mix in the shaker; pour the mixture in slowly for a layered effect

Image: Kerry Benson, MS, RD / Diana Licalzi, MS, RD

Apple Pie Martini Mocktail Recipe

“Applesauce in a drink? Don’t knock it until you try it!” say Benson and Licalzi. “Inspired by the classic, all-American dessert, we captured the warm, fall spices in apple pie and made a nutritious mocktail that delivers soluble fiber and vitamin C.” Try it warm to make it even more apple pie-like.

You’ll need:

• For the rim: 1 tbl. chopped nuts or ground graham crackers, 1 tsp. maple syrup or honey
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce (or about 2 standard single-serve containers). You can also swap for 100 percent apple juice.
• 2 pitted dates
• 1 cup coconut water
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 shakes ground nutmeg
• 1 shake ground cloves
• 1 tbl. lemon or lime juice
• ½ tsp. non-alcoholic vanilla extract
• Apple slices or cinnamon stick for garnish

Steps:

• Soak dates in water for 10 minutes
• Meanwhile, rim glasses with maple syrup or honey and then dip into ground nuts or graham crackers
• Add the dates and applesauce to a blender
• Blend on high for a longer period of time to break up the dates for evenly distributed sweetness
• Add the mixture and remaining ingredients to a shaker with ice Shake vigorously. (Skip this step if you want to try the warm version.)
• Pour into martini glasses and garnish with a slice of fresh apple or a cinnamon stick

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