Mocktail recipes abound this time of year. The holidays are fast approaching, and with them come parties of all sizes, from happy hours with colleagues to ugly-sweater soirees with friends to multigenerational family feasts. The one constant needed for all of these events: a delicious beverage that’s both festive and non-alcoholic — aka a mocktail.
Unlike sodas and juices, which can be jammed with sugar and downright boring, mocktails offer your guests a fun means of celebrating that doesn’t involve booze. These are drinks worthy of toasts and raised glasses; potables that aren’t potent but that do pack a flavorful punch.
Unfortunately for the busy holiday host, mocktail recipes can get complicated. Like their boozy brethren, the cocktail, mocktails have come to encompass all manner of crafty, artisanal techniques that can take hours or even weeks to achieve: zest that; infuse this; pickle these; reduce those. That's fun, in theory, but often overwhelming in practice.
Fret not, Mountain Valley is here to help.
If there’s one thing we have learned about a simply perfect mocktail, it’s that it must sparkle, and it has to taste great (OK, that’s two things). The solution: sparkling and sparkling essence spring waters from yours truly at Mountain Valley. Bursting with bubbles and ripe with juicy flavors — be it our Key Lime Twist, White Peach or Blackberry Pomegranate sparklers — Mountain Valley’s sparkling water lineup makes mocktails a breeze.
That’s because our sparkling waters are not only award-winningly delicious, they’re also sourced from our protected spring tucked deep in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains of the southern U.S. Since 1871, this spring has been our source for the best bottled water and sparkling water in the country. Mountain Valley’s sparkling and sparkling essence spring waters don’t just taste great, they look great on your holiday table, too. Our iconic green glass bottles add a touch of shine that complements any and all holiday decor, while our sparkling and sparkling essence spring waters will add some effervescent fizz to the festivities, with very little effort on your end.
The perfect mocktail recipe: A cheat sheet
If you don’t have the budget to hire a team of professional bartenders for your gathering, or the time to learn the art of mixology yourself, then consider this your mocktail cheat sheet. Better yet, this formula can work for cocktails, too, just add a shot of your favorite liquor.
Think of the perfect, quickie mocktail in layers. You start with something sweet. You add something acidic. Next: a sprig of something herbal and verdant, then finish with Mountain Valley sparkling or sparkling essence spring waters, maybe a pinch of spice, possibly a pretty garnish or two.
The sweet
This layer could be as simple as freshly muddled berries or a spoonful of mango jam. Apple sauce is shockingly delicious as a mocktail base, as are ciders and freshly pureed fruits. If you’re strapped for time, or just don’t feel like pureeing, fruity baby foods work brilliantly well and don’t have added sugars.
For guests who want something a tad sweeter, a little simple syrup (made by dissolving 1 cup sugar in 1.5 cups of boiling water, then allowing the mix to cool) goes a long way.
The tart
Citrus wedges are the mocktail’s best friend. Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, blood oranges, tangerines — anything juicy yet acidic will offer a nice balance to that first layer of sweetness.
The green
While fresh leaves of mint are a can’t-miss classic, almost any herb can work to enliven a mocktail. Bruise up some rosemary. Toss in a sprig of thyme. Muddle a leaf or two of basil with your berries. Herbs add depth and nuance to a drink; a hint of sophistication that is easy to achieve.
The bubbles
While Mountain Valley Sparkling Water works wonderfully with any and all mocktail combinations, you can raise the NA bar with Mountain Valley’s sparkling essence collection. The beauty of these bubbly, naturally flavored waters is that they have zero sugar, zero sweeteners, zero calories, and millions upon millions of festively fizzy bubbles — plus juicy flavors that add even more oomph to any mocktail.
- Mountain Valley Sparkling Key Lime Twist is perfect for sweeter drinks; it keeps things from getting cloying while adding a tropical twist
- Mountain Valley Sparkling White Peach offers a sweet taste of summer any time of year; this sparkler works especially well with tart berries, basil and other warm-weather treats
- Mountain Valley Sparkling Blackberry Pomegranate, quite honestly, can do it all; this bubbly baddy has enough depth to work with ciders and fall flavors, yet enough sharpness to play well with just about everything else
The spice
By “spice,” we don’t necessarily mean spicy, just warm and flavorful. Think cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice. Or, in more summery mocktails, a pinch of chili flakes or Tajin is fabulous.
The extras
To make any mocktail super celebratory, give it accessories: a stick of cinnamon, perhaps, or a ring of grapefruit cut so it hugs the rim of the glass. The skins of lemons and limes can be shaped into colorful curls. Berries can be skewered onto swizzle sticks. Fresh pomegranate seeds can serve as ruby-colored drops of confetti. For a touch of added sweetness and a hint of sparkle, dip orange slices in sugar. And whatever herbs go into your mocktail can double as gorgeous garnishes, too.
What’s wonderful about this “formula” is that you can set up these layers as part of a DIY mocktail bar. Put out bowls of berries, jars of jam and a squeeze bottle of simple syrup. Add a tray of citrus wedges and slices. Place your herbs in pint glasses with pretty labels, and arrange your spices and garnishes in shakers and serving bowls. Tack on a bucket of ice, write out your own “Mocktail Cheat Sheet” for guidance, add some emerald-green bottles of Mountain Valley sparkling and sparkling essence spring waters, and your mocktail bar is good to go.
Congrats! You are now ready to create mocktails of your very own. Still feeling the need for some inspiration? Find mocktail recipes featuring Mountain Valley Spring Water on our blog here and get water delivered directly to your door here.
