Lovely Libations: My Three Favorite Mocktails to Satisfy Your Cocktail Cravings

There’s nothing like winding down after a long week with a cocktail and your favorite gal pals. After all, a celebration wouldn’t be complete without a flute of champagne or clinking together your favorite mixed drink. As much as I’d like to indulge on special occasions, this mama-to-be mixes them up a little differently these days. My bar cart isn’t stocked in a conventional way because for the next few months I’ll be sipping on my favorite homemade mocktails.

Creating the perfect mocktail has taken some creativity in the kitchen, but I can happily say that I’ve concocted three recipes that are just as refreshing as my favorite mixed drinks. There’s something for everyone on this drink menu: I’ve mastered the faux Moscow mule, strawberry rosé, and spicy margarita (my fave!). If you’re looking to get your sip on sans alcohol, look no further. Keep scrolling to get the recipes…

Mama-to-Be Marg

Like I mentioned above, my weakness comes in the form of spicy jalapeño margaritas. To curb my craving while I’m waiting for baby to arrive, I’ve poured the perfect faux marg with all the flavors that I love about the original sip.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• lemonade
• jalapeño, sliced and seeded
• rim salt
• lime slices
• club soda
• ice
  
  

Here’s how to make it:

1. Combine the lemonade and club soda in a cocktail shaker and mix well.
2. Salt the rim of a margarita glass and pour in your mixture over ice.
3. Sprinkle your sliced jalapeño into your drink and add a slice of lime to the rim as a garnish. Add a tiny umbrella if you’re feeling festive.

Strawberry Faux-sé

If there’s one variety of vino that I’ve been missing, it’s a refreshing glass of rosé. This strawberry faux-sé is the closest thing that I’ve found to the classic sip—it’s sweet and delicious in all the right ways!

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• rosewater
• muddled strawberries
• tonic water
• sprig of mint
• ice
  
  

Here’s how to make it:

1. Muddle slices of strawberry in the bottom of your glass.
2. Add your ice over the strawberries and fill the glass ¾ of the way full with tonic water.
3. Add a splash of rosewater to the mixture and garnish with a sprig of mint. This sip is seriously refreshing!

Mango Mocks-cow Mule

This one is for all of the Moscow mule lovers out there. With a combination of ginger beer and mango juice, this sweet sip is a treat. The best part is that you can substitute the fruit for whatever flavor you’re currently craving. Yum!

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• ginger beer
• mango juice
• club soda
• lime
• mint garnish
• crushed ice
  
  

Here’s how to make it: 

1. Begin by filling your glass with crushed ice.
2. Fill the glass with equal parts ginger beer and club soda, adding a splash of mango juice to the top.
3. Garnish with a sprig of mint and slices of lime.

Do you have a favorite mocktail recipe?

Let me know your favorites in the comments so that I can try them out too!

XO Lauren

Photos: Valorie Darling for LaurenConrad.com