Skip to Content

34 Zero-Proof Christmas Mocktails That Are 100% Delicious

It's never been easier to get in the holiday spirit (without the spirits).

By
nonalcoholic mulled wine in a glass mug garnished with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and an orange wedge
Parker feierbach

No one should be left empty-handed at your festive get-togethers—it's the holidays, after all! That's especially true if you're opting for a non-alcoholic mocktail over the boozy stuff. Thankfully, it's never been easier to get into the Christmas spirit (without all the, ya know, spirits). These Christmas mocktails are not only super-easy to shake up, they're undeniably delicious. You'll be your group's go-to mocktail mixologist in no time! So sit back and enjoy the virgin cranberry basil sangria all season long.

The best part of all these drinks? Most don't require any fancy additions; you likely have all the ingredients in your pantry right this moment! We like to keep it simple by offering all of the standard holiday favorites, like eggnog, horchata, spiced Christmas coffee, and even a non-alcoholic mulled wine. And it wouldn't be the holidays without a good amount of wassail-ing, so be sure to check out our recipe for the traditional spicy punch.

When it comes to mocktails, we also love relying on two old standbys—milkshakes and hot chocolate—so we've included a number of our favorite recipes here, everything from basics like our classic hot chocolate or our malted milkshake, to wild flavor combos like our gingerbread caramel milkshake or our brownie batter hot chocolate. Take these as inspiration, then get creative with your own fun flavor ideas. Make these at your next party and we know even the alcoholic drinkers will want in on the action.

Want to stock up your fridge ahead of party season? Check out all of our favorite canned mocktails, the best non-alcoholic wines, and all of our best mocktail recipes too.

1

Wassail

wassail
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Wassail is a warm, spiced punch that’s traditionally served when celebrating the ancient English Yuletide tradition of the same name. The combination of warm spices, like cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom, infuse a heady, pleasing essence into each steaming mug.

Get the Wassail recipe.

2

Virgin Cranberry Basil Sangria

cranberry basil sangria
Emily Hlavac Green

Sangria without the wine? Yes, please. The fruit is the real star here—use whatever’s in season and get creative with the combination (think cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary for the holidays and mixed berries and mint for summer).

Get the Virgin Cranberry Basil Sangria recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Eggnog

homemade eggnog topped with whipped cream and grated nutmeg
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Rich, creamy, and, well, egg-y, we'd go as far as to say no Christmas celebration is complete without a glass of this festive drink. Though you can add whiskey or rum, it's delicious without too!

Get the Eggnog recipe.

4

Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine

non alcoholic mulled wine in a glass with an orange wedge, cinnamon stick, and star anise
PARKER FEIERBACH

When the weather outside gets frightful, we can all agree that there’s nothing nicer than curling our hands around a piping hot mug some mulled wine…that is, unless you’re not drinking alcohol. Rather than simply skip that sip of pure coziness, make this non-alcoholic mulled wine instead!

Get the Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Pumpkin Juice

harry potter pumpkin juice
Photographer: Lucy Schaeffer, Food Styling: Francesca Zani.

Having a Harry Potter movie watching marathon over the holidays? You've got to make this pumpkin juice (and a pint of butterbeer!) In the books, pumpkin juice is traditionally served over ice for a refreshing drink, but you could also warm this up in a mug for something more cozy.

Get the Pumpkin Juice recipe.

6

White Hot Chocolate

white hot chocolate in red mugs topped with whipped cream, crushed peppermint candies, white chocolate pieces, and mini marshmallows
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

We know that white chocolate can be divisive—you either love it or you can’t stand it. This hot chocolate recipe was created for those in the "love it" camp, though it's so totally wonderful that it might just create converts out of white chocolate haters too.

Get the White Hot Chocolate recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Chocolate Milkshake

chocolate milkshake
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

Way back in the late 1800s, a milkshake was a whiskey drink thickened with cream and egg yolks. Thankfully the whiskey got replaced with syrup and the thickener became ice cream in the 1920s to make the best drinkable dessert known to humankind.

Get the Chocolate Milkshake recipe.

8

Italian Soda

italian soda
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

For this recipe, try out your favorite flavors or mix and match. You can even try infusing your own simple syrup instead of using the bottled stuff. For an extra creamy drink reminiscent of an ice cream float, try it with 1 ½ ounces of cream or half-and-half instead too.

Get the Italian Soda recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Christmas Coffee

christmas coffee
Parker Feierbach

Nothing beats waking up on Christmas morning to the smell of fresh coffee brewing. Make the holiday even better by adding some spices and topping off your cup with lots of whipped cream and festive sprinkles.

Get the Christmas Coffee recipe.

10

Blackberry Virgin Mojito

blackberry virgin mojito
EMILY HLAVAC GREEN

This non-alcoholic mojito is still every bit as refreshing with an easy mint simple syrup and fresh blackberries (but feel free to use whatever fruit you like!).

Get the Blackberry Virgin Mojito recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Best Hot Chocolate

hot chocolate
Parker Feierbach

Homemade hot chocolate is infinitely better than boxed mix. And our recipe is extra decadent, thanks to the cup of actual chocolate (not just cocoa powder). Top tip: Don't forget the whipped cream!

Get the Best Hot Chocolate recipe.

12

Champurrado

champurrado pin, thick mexican hot chocolate
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Champurrado is the best kind of hot chocolate. Why? Unlike the plain, watery version you make with the powdered stuff, this hot chocolate is thick, rich, and decadent, thanks to masa harina. Instead of tasting like a Choco Taco, it lends a delicately sweet corn flavor and gives this a delightful richness.

Get the Champurrado recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Affogato

affogato
Erik bernstein

Calling all coffee lovers: This is the dessert for you. An affogato is a simple Italian dessert-y nightcap—just espresso poured over a scoop of gelato. If you don't own an at-home espresso machine, brew some extra-strong coffee and measure out 2 tablespoons to pour over.

Get the Affogato recipe.

14

Horchata

three glasses of horchata garnished with cinnamon sticks
JOEL GOLDBERG

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Mexican Hot Chocolate

mexican hot chocolate
PARKER FEIERBACH

When it's bone-chillingly cold, nothing warms us up faster than a mug of hot chocolate, especially one featuring warming spices like this one. If you prefer your drinks on the milder side, feel free to forgo the cayenne in favor of a spice that adds less heat, like chili powder.

Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe.

16

Hot Chocolate Floats

hot chocolate ice cream floats
Parker Feierbach

Homemade hot chocolate is super-fudgy and way more delicious than packaged mix, and it's wildly easy to make on the stovetop. Top each mug off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a hot fudge rim for the most decadent cocoa out there.

Get the Hot Chocolate Floats recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Chai Latte

chai latte delishcom
Parker Feierbach

If we had it our way, chai lattes would be trending over pumpkin spice lattes. The warm, cozy tea is full of spices and steamed milk for the coziest drink of all time. No milk frother? No problem. Use your immersion blender instead.

Get the Chai Latte recipe.

18

Vegan Eggnog

vegan eggnog topped with soy whipped cream and grated nutmeg
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

You either love eggnog or loathe it—there is no in between. This version of the classic holiday cocktail has a similar flavor and texture of the original but is dairy-free and vegan-friendly!

Get the Vegan Eggnog recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Butterbeer Hot Cocoa

butterbeer hot cocoa
Austin Kearn

If you've never had white hot cocoa, now's your chance. The butterscotch chips add a caramel-y depth you'll love, and you can take the whole thing over the top with some homemade whipped cream. Add gold sprinkles to make it feel extra magical if you like!

Get the Butterbeer Hot Cocoa recipe.

20

Butterbeer

butterbeer
Kathryn Wirsing

Whether you wish you were sitting in the Three Broomsticks sipping on this wizard-worthy quaff or just love butterscotch ANYTHING, you've gotta try this Butterbeer. Best part? You only need 6 ingredients to make it!

Get the Butterbeer recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below