5 Fun Mocktail Recipes for Kids Celebrations

Three cheers for boozy whipped coffee (and frozen hot chocolate for them).
Three cheers for boozy whipped coffee (and frozen hot chocolate for them).
12/29/20 - By Jody Mercier

We're re-releasing our list of the top mocktails for kids just in time to celebrate 2021 and say bye-bye and good riddance to 2020! We love the inclusivity of mocktails. Now kids, pregnant mamas, and teetotalers can safely get in on the cocktail countdown fun.

From pink-hued sangria (with Shirley Temples) to mojitos (and minty limeade), we have five yummy cocktail-mocktail pairings for parents and kids to enjoy together.

Find more creative ways to celebrate New Year's Eve at home with these 12 kid-friendly activities.

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Fresh mint "makes" the mojito.

1. Classic Mojito Recipe 

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces white rum
  • 6 mint leaves, muddled
  • 1 ½ ounces lime juice, freshly squeezed 
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • Splash of club soda, to finish

Directions

  • Add the muddled mint, rum, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Give it a brief shake.
  • Strain into two highball glasses and top with a splash of club soda.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge, a sprig of mint, and enjoy!

Kid-Friendly Mocktail Recipe: Lime-Min-Ade

Omit the rum from the classic mojito recipe and increase the amount of club soda to transform the mojito to a kid-friendly version, dubbed by my 6-year-old as a lime-min-ade. We also like to sub 7-Up for the club soda.

RELATED: Hot Cocoa Bombs in 5 Easy Steps

2. Rosé Sangria Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle rosé wine
  • 1 cup grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
  • ½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 ounces simple syrup
  • Fresh fruit, to taste (I used a sliced lemon and a pint of raspberries)
  • ¼ cup fruit-flavored liqueur, to taste (i.e. Cointreau, raspberry liqueur, fruit-flavored vodka)
  • Club soda, for serving

Directions

  • Sangria is a great fix-it and forget-it punch to serve a crowd, or nurse slowly throughout the weekend. Mix all ingredients, aside from the club soda, in a pitcher and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving; the longer it sits, the more intense the flavors become. When ready to serve, pour over ice and top with a splash of club soda.


Served in a special glass, Shirley Temples make any kids' gathering a fancy party.

Kid-Friendly Mocktail Recipe: Classic Shirley Temple

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces clear soda, like 7-Up, Sprite, or Ginger Ale
  • ½ ounce grenadine syrup
  • Maraschino cherries

Directions

  • Fill a glass with ice, top with soda and grenadine, and add a cherry (or three! four! more!) on top.


This year's "it" coffee drink is even more amazing with a splash of Kahlua.

3. Boozy Dalgona Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons instant coffee granules
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 tablespoons boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 4 ounces Kahlua (or liqueur of choice; Irish Cream would also be a good fit!)
  • 8 ounces milk or milk alternative (we used almond milk)

Directions

  • Fill two glasses ⅔ of the way full with ice; add liqueur and almond milk, leaving top ⅓ of cup empty for coffee.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine the instant coffee, sugar, vanilla (if using), and boiling water. Using a hand mixer, whip the mixture until frothy, medium peaks form. Note: You can do this by hand using a wire whisk, but it will take 8-10 minutes to reach the right consistency.
  • Spoon coffee mixture atop the glasses of ice and milk and enjoy.

Kid-Friendly Mocktail Recipe: Frozen Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 packages instant hot chocolate mix
  • 3 cups ice
  • Not so optional toppings: whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or chocolate chips

Directions

  • Combine the milk, hot chocolate, and ice in a blender and process until it reaches the consistency of a smoothie.
  • Pour into two glasses.
  • Add a swirl of whipped cream, if using, and sprinkle with chocolate shavings or chocolate chips.


A citrusy paloma hits the spot on a hot day.

4. Paloma Recipe

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • ½ cup grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
  • Juice of 1 lime, freshly squeezed
  • ½ ounce simple syrup
  • ½ cup tequila
  • ½ cup club soda

Directions

  • Spread salt on a plate. Rub the rim of two highball glasses with a wedge of grapefruit and turn upside down in the salt to create a salt rim.
  • Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and tequila in a shaker with ice. Shake to combine.
  • Strain into the prepared glasses and top with a splash of club soda.

Kid-Friendly Mocktail Recipe: Virgin Paloma

Omit the tequila from the paloma recipe above, and increase the club soda to transform this into a kid-friendly beverage.


A juicy fruit garnish is the perfect topper for watermelon lemonade.

5. Watermelon Lemonade Coolers

Ingredients

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water, plus 3 cups water for mixing lemonade
  • 4 cups watermelon, cubed
  • ½ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 ounces vodka, per serving

Directions

  • Make a simple syrup: Combine ½ water and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat, bring to a slight boil to ensure sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  • In a large pitcher, combine simple syrup, lemon juice, and 3 cups cold water to make lemonade. Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Just before serving, add the watermelon to a blender and process until pureed.
  • To assemble, place ice in a tall glass, add 3 tablespoons watermelon puree, 2 ounces of vodka, and fill the remainder of the glass with lemonade. Stir to combine.

Kid-Friendly Mocktail Recipe: Watermelon Lemonade

Follow the recipe above, omitting vodka in the final step, and adding an extra splash of lemonade instead. Garnish with a slice of watermelon for a fruity, fun twist.