How to Host Alcohol-Free This Summer
- Mocktail Girlie
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Alcohol-Free Summer Hosting
Summer is for sunshine, backyard hangs, and cold drinks in your hand, but that doesn’t have to mean alcohol. Whether you’re taking a break, sober curious, or just love a good mocktail, hosting alcohol-free is easier than you think.
Here’s your guide to making your alcohol-free summer hosting feel effortless, festive, and full of flavor!
1. Make Your Drink Menu Ahead of Time
Start with the vibe: Is this a casual cookout, a girls’ night by the pool, or a baby shower brunch? Once you know your theme, plan 1-2 mocktails to match. Choose a variety! Maybe something fizzy, something fruity, and something herbal or citrusy. Batch option is best in my opinion, like a sangria or mojito pitcher, so you’re not stuck mixing all night.
Hosting Tip: Print or write out your menu on a little chalkboard or card to display—people love knowing what’s available.
2. Prep the Garnishes & Ingredients
Getting ahead of the game is key. Slice citrus, wash berries, pick your mint, and portion ingredients the night before. Keep everything chilled and ready in the fridge so when guests arrive, you’re not still squeezing limes. This also keeps things looking fresh, not frantic. Nobody likes a sticky cutting board in the middle of the party.
3. Create a Garnish Bar
Give your guests a little creative control and set up a simple garnish station. Bowls of lime wedges, sliced strawberries, mint, basil, or even flavored salts and sugar rims. Lay out a cute cutting board with citrus wheels, too! It’s fun, interactive, and adds a personal touch. Plus it makes the drinks feel fancy even if they’re simple.
Hosting Tip: Freeze edible flowers, fruit or herbs in ice cubes ahead of time for an effortless wow factor.
4. Stock Some Ready-to-Drink Options
Not every drink has to be handcrafted, and not every guest wants to wait! Having a variety of ready-to-drink (RTD) non-alcoholic cans on hand is a total hosting hack. Display them in a cute cooler or ice bucket so guests can grab and go. It’s casual, easy, and ensures everyone always has something in their hand without needing a mixologist (you!) at all times. Here's some of my favorites:
Sparkling Water: Spindrift, Hint
Non-Alcoholic Spritz: Figlia, Hiyo, Ghia, De Soi
Non-Alcoholic Beer: NA Blue Moon, Corona, Athletic Brewing
5. Use Cute Glassware
Mocktails deserve to be served in something better than plastic cups. Bust out the coupes, highballs, vintage finds, or mason jars!
Pretty glassware makes the moment feel special and elevates the experience. You’ll be amazed how many people comment on “how good” a drink feels to hold just because it’s in a cute glass.
And don’t forget the straws! Paper, glass, or stainless steel ones give your drinks extra detail.
Batch Mocktail Recipes
Here are some of my favorite batch mocktails:
BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITA
• 2 cups fresh blood orange juice (about 6-8 blood oranges)
• 1 cup fresh lime juice (about 6-8 limes)
• 2 oz agave syrup
• 1 cup of NA Tequila Alternative or 1 cup sparkling water/coconut water
• Garnish: 1 Blood Orange - Sliced, 1 lime sliced
MOJITO MOCKTAIL
• 1 cup lime juice (about 8-10 limes)
• 1 bunch fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
• ½ cup simple syrup
• 1 cup of water
• 4 cups club soda or sparkling water
RASPBERRY HONEY LEMONADE
• 1 Pack of raspberries
• 2 oz lemon juice
• 2 oz honey
• 10 mint leaves
• 52 oz bottle of lemonade
• lemon wheels and mint sprigs for garnish in glasses
LEMON BASIL SPRITZ
• 1 1/2 cups Figlia Sole
• 1 bottle of Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Brut
• 24 oz Club Soda
• 6-7 basil leaves
• 1 lemon - juiced
• Garnish: Lemon wheels & a basil leaf
Alcohol-free doesn’t mean boring. It means being intentional, creative, and inclusive. You’re showing your friends that good drinks and good times don’t require alcohol, and that’s something worth celebrating.
Whether you’re hosting once or all summer long, make it delicious, make it pretty, and make it yours.
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