Best Wedding Mocktail Ideas

Waiter holding a wooden tray of lemonade with lavender sprig — Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

After the couple exchanges vows and shares their first kiss as newlyweds, the party can officially start. There’s no question that the food and drinks play a large part in creating a celebratory atmosphere on the big day, but contrary to popular belief, alcohol isn’t a requirement for a killer party. Whether you’re hosting a completely dry affair or you’re looking to supplement your selection of booze with zero-proof options that all guests can enjoy, mocktails will appeal to everyone and help ensure all attendees have a fun and delicious experience.

From spicy margaritas to raspberry mint julep, there are so many alcohol-free options (or classic sips that can be made sans booze) that will enhance your party and complement the locale. Perhaps you’re interested in a light and refreshing option infused with seasonal produce, like a blackberry spritz, for a backyard affair in the summer. Maybe you want to channel the best flavors of the season with apple cider for a fall fête at a vineyard. It doesn’t matter where and when you intend to throw down; mocktails are guaranteed to elevate your special day.

If you’re thinking about including alcohol-free drinks at your nuptials, we tapped the experts to share the best tips on planning and presenting your cocktail alternatives, and we compiled a roundup of inspirational images for reference. Ahead, how to serve mocktails at your wedding, plus 20 ideas to inspire your own.

Meet the Expert

Vanessa Royle and Mariah Hilton Wood are co-founders of Tilden Cocktails, a non-alcoholic beverage brand.

Why Choose Wedding Mocktails?

While mocktails are a natural choice if you and your partner are sober, Vanessa Royle and Mariah Hilton Wood of Tilden Cocktails believe every couple should offer at least one alcohol-free option at their wedding. If you know you want to serve boozy sips, zero-proof varieties will make sure non-drinkers—whether it’s your pregnant sister-in-law, your sober-curious bridesmaid, or your flower girl—feel included in the festivities. “Non-alcoholic cocktails openly invite everyone to the experience,” Royle and Wood say. “Allowing all your guests to join you fully and mark the moment makes for a more intentional, generous, and memorable event.”

Serving non-alcoholic drinks is also a viable choice if you’re health-conscious, hoping to stay within budget, or simply want to offer more choices for your friends and family.

Tips for Selecting Your Wedding Mocktails

Choosing your alcohol-free beverages largely depends on the setting, season, aesthetic, and the food you’re serving. Take these expert-approved tips into account for a successful mocktail menu.

Complement the Season

Selecting mocktails with seasonal ingredients will create a more flavorful drink, and the result will be a sip that better matches the vibe of your wedding as a whole. Royle and Wood recommend a fresh, crisp, and herbaceous concoction, like Tilden’s Lacewing, for outdoor affairs in the spring and summer. Incorporating in-season produce, such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, will also honor the warmer months. For fall and winter nuptials, the mocktail gurus suggest a zesty and savory drink, like Tandem from Tilden. You can also channel the season and generate heat by adding spices, whether it’s ginger or nutmeg.

Match Your Personality

It’s your big day, so you’ll obviously want to serve a mocktail that matches your vibe and reflects your relationship. While a non-alcoholic take on an Old Fashioned is best for classic and elegant pairs, a fruity spritz befits playful and bubbly personas, according to Royle and Wood. “Remember, you can be multifaceted if you choose, and offering multiple options may suit varied palettes of your guests,” they note.

Consider Your Guests

While it’s important to honor your own taste buds, considering those of your friends and family will help make the wedding more meaningful and memorable for everyone. Implement crowd-pleasing flavors into your mocktails or offer a few different options, such as a fruity, tart, and spicy beverage, to please every preference. Royle and Word share one word of caution, though: If adaptogenic beverages are part of your mocktails, make sure to communicate that with your guests because these drinks contain mood-altering ingredients that might not be safe for those pregnant or nursing or for anyone taking certain medications.

Pair Mocktails With Your Meal

Chances are, your loved ones will be drinking their zero-proof beverages while noshing on appetizers or your main entrée. It’s important that the mocktails complement the flavors in the rest of your menu. “For fish, chicken, and lighter vegetarian fare, choose a cocktail with mellow, earthy notes, like Lacewing,” Royle and Wood suggest. “For red meat, darker sauces, and heartier fare, pair a more robust cocktail like Tandem.”

The Best Wedding Mocktail Presentation Ideas

After you’ve chosen the right type of mocktail for your wedding, give your drink display a boost by fine-tuning the presentation. Here, the pros share how to take your mocktails to the next level.

Include Fitting Glassware

Just because you’re serving alcohol-free options doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the glassware. “Serve non-alcoholic cocktails in the same glassware as full-alcohol cocktails to match the vibe of the wedding and bring elegance to all of your drink options,” Royle and Wood say.

Add Fun Garnishes

Fresh flowers, vibrant berries, and sprigs of fresh herbs will elevate your mocktails and add a burst of flavor. Choose accompaniments that coordinate with your color palette, venue, season, and overall vibe of your wedding. For instance, a lime wedge is a natural fit for a summer beach wedding, whereas a sprig of rosemary is a fresh choice for the winter.

Display Playful Signage

Your drink signage is an important part of your display because not only does it relay information about your mocktail, but it also reinforces your theme. Consider incorporating illustrations, font types, and colors that match your aesthetic. For example, a sign embellished with drawings of flowers and written in hot pink will complement a garden soirée painted in a vibrant wash of color.

Our Favorite Wedding Mocktail Ideas

If you’re still unsure about the type of mocktail you’re going to serve on your big day and how you’re going to display your drinks, we’ve compiled a list to inspire you. Ahead, 20 mocktail ideas guaranteed to impress.

01 of 20

Strawberry Lemonade

For an elevated take on a childhood classic, consider serving a strawberry lemonade as your wedding mocktail. The drink will keep guests cool on a hot summer day—especially when served on ice—and the ingredients will be at their optimal freshness since strawberries are ripest during the warmer months. Top each drink with fresh mint leaves and strawberry slices, like this couple did for their outdoor nuptials in Tennessee, and serve in gold-rimmed glassware for glamorous functions.

02 of 20

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Margarita

Two glasses of butterfly pea flower tea mocktails topped with lime wedges and served on wooden coasters — Photo by Gaby J Photography

If you’re looking for a colorful and flavorful mocktail, a butterfly pea flower tea margarita (made sans booze) will appeal to all senses. This caffeine-free herbal tea comes in a rich hue that will add a pop of color to your décor, and the floral notes are ideal for garden settings in the spring and summer. For those who want to serve just one type of mocktail, you can add variety by rimming the glass with different spices: A chile lime seasoning is great for guests with a high tolerance for spicy foods, whereas a sugared room will be a popular choice for loved ones with a sweet tooth.

03 of 20

Sparkling Pomegranate Seltzer

Glasses of pomegranate spritzes with striped straws — Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

With an eye-catching hue and a sweet-tart flavor, you can’t go wrong with a sparkling pomegranate mocktail. While fresh pomegranate juice is the focal point of this sip, you can mix in sparkling water for a kick. Try this out for fall or winter nuptials, and garnish your finished drinks with a lime wedge for a complementary burst of flavors and a little extra color.

04 of 20

Spicy Chili Mocktail

An orange mocktail with a chili rim and an ice cube with a hot pepper and herbs — Photo by Larissa Cleveland

Fruity mocktails are crowd-pleasing choices, but an alcohol-free beverage made with chili will cater to those who love spice. With a chili rim and a red-hot base, this spicy mocktail designed by Ashley Smith Events and catered by Tonic Beverage Co. with glassware by Table Method will generate heat at cold-weather weddings. For a unique touch that will set your glass apart, add an ice cube with a frozen chili pepper and herbs.

05 of 20

Raspberry Mint Julep

It doesn’t get more refreshing than a raspberry Mint Julep, which is why we love the idea of serving a non-alcoholic version at your outdoor cocktail hour. Made with blackberry and raspberry syrup, fresh lime juice, and soda water, this mocktail is simple yet sophisticated. Trim each cup with mint leaves and raspberry garnishes to complete your presentation.

06 of 20

Arnold Palmer

Nothing screams summer quite like an Arnold Palmer, a mix of iced tea and lemonade. At his golf course wedding, PGA player Lanto Griffin served these non-alcoholic beverages as a pre-ceremony welcome drink, which helped set the tone for the event and keep guests comfortable. He even added golf ball-shaped ice cubes for a personal and on-theme touch. Complete each drink with a lemon wedge to round off the flavors.

07 of 20

Thai Coconut Water

Thai coconut cocktails with paper straws greeted guests at the outdoor wedding ceremony — Photo by Rachel May Photography

Whether you’re hosting a tropical fête or you want to transport your guests to your favorite island, drinking Thai coconut water out of a real coconut will generate feel-good vibes. Plus, this zero-proof cocktail will actually hydrate your guests, which is essential in hot and humid climates and for parties with lots of late-night dancing. Include fun straws and playful signage with bright colors and sunny illustrations to help set the scene.

08 of 20

Blackberry Spritz

With fruit juice, club soda, simple syrup, and muddled mint, a blackberry spritz is a striking fruity mocktail that isn’t overly sweet. Skewers of blackberries draped across the rim and rose gold straws will create a visually appealing presentation. For the most flavorsome drink, consider this option for summer affairs.

09 of 20

Hot Chocolate

Although fruit-based cocktails poured over ice shine in the warmer months, you’ll want to serve something warm in the winter. For a seasonally-appropriate and festive mocktail, a cup of hot chocolate will toast to the holiday season and help guests brave the chilly temperatures. Add cardamom and cayenne to switch up a childhood favorite, then decorate with cinnamon sticks and star anise for a display that will delight your guests.

10 of 20

Shirley Temple

A Shirley Temple is another nostalgic option, but unlike hot chocolate, this lemon-lime soda with a splash of grenadine syrup is appealing in the summertime. Infuse with fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, for another taste of the season. We love this drink for country club weddings or casual functions in the great outdoors.

11 of 20

Virgin Mojito

Mojitos are popular cocktails, but they're just as tasty without booze as they are with. To make a non-alcoholic version of this classic, all you need are a few simple ingredients: fresh lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, sparkling water, and ice. A fresh flower will add a lush and colorful touch to a neutral base, and mint leaves and a slice of cucumber will boost the refreshing palate.

12 of 20

Lavender Lemonade

Lemonade is delectable on its own, but for a more elevated spin on this beverage, incorporate a sprig of lavender. The floral notes, with hints of mint and rosemary, will increase the sophistication of the drink while still appealing to all audiences. If this non-alcoholic drink is your signature cocktail, ask the waitstaff to distribute them out on wooden platters during cocktail hour for a special presentation.

13 of 20

Earl Grey Grapefruit Spritzer

Two glasses of earl grey tea grapefruit spritzers on a checkered picnic blanket — Photo by Gaby J Photography

For a unique blend of flavors, give your guests a mocktail that combines earl grey tea with grapefruit. The black tea flavored with oil from a rind of a bergamot orange has a fragrant taste that will balance the tart and bitter zest from the grapefruit. Plus, this caffeinated beverage will give you a jolt of energy to sustain a night full of dancing. Serve these refreshments at picnic receptions in the park, paired with light bites.

14 of 20

Apple Cider

If you’re tying the knot in the fall, complement the season with a cup of apple cider, brimming with seasonal spices, like cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and brown sugar. To complete your setup, adorn with a cinnamon stick, apple slice, and sprig of rosemary. Serve them in copper mugs for a metallic touch at your farm, barn, or vineyard locale.

15 of 20

Peach Bellini

At model Tess Annique and NHL star Sheldon Souray’s wedding, the couple served an entire spread of mocktails. One of the biggest hits was a booze-free take on a peach Bellini. You can recreate this mocktail with a blend of ginger ale and peach nectar. Top with stirrers and serve with cocktail napkins that exhibit your new last name.

16 of 20

Rose Drink

Flowers are a core component of most weddings, so why not make them the foundation of your alcohol-free drink? This rose mocktail includes rose syrup, fresh lemon juice, and soda water, which creates a subtle pink color. To keep with the floral theme, perch an edible flower on the surface. Although this will suit any wedding, it’s especially fitting for a summer bash in a garden.

17 of 20

Papaya Green Tea

Signature mocktails with lavender garnishes and a pampas grass installation — Photo by Sean Thomas Photography

One of the best places of inspiration for your wedding mocktail is the menu at your favorite café or restaurant. At their garden party wedding in San Diego, the couple recreated the “Passion Papaya Iced Green Tea” at Panera Bread for one of their signature cocktails. For a bohemian flair, present your drinks beside a vase of pampas grass and a copper bowl of flower petals.

18 of 20

Strawberry Lemonade

Looking for another twist on a classic? Strawberry lemonade is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and it offers the most gorgeous color that guests won’t want to pass up. Unveil your joint initials on a sugar adornment, which will coordinate with a lemon wedge garnish.

19 of 20

Watermelon Mojito

A traditional mojito is always a mouth-watering option, but you can mix in different flavors to complement the season and give guests something unexpected (and alcohol-free). A watermelon mojito is perfect for weddings that take place in the summer, especially on the beach or by a lake. Serve in a clear glass, so everyone can marvel at the eye-catching hue; be sure to decorate each glass with a lime wedge and fresh mint leaves.

20 of 20

Sparkling Raspberry Flower Tea Float

With a garden-fresh taste and a hint of sweetness, a sparkling raspberry flower tea float is guaranteed to make an impression at your wedding. The cheery yellow tone and rich red shade will add a splash of color, while the sprinkling of daisies will serve as an extension of a prolific outdoor setting.

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