As the holiday season rolls around, there's no need to miss out on the festivities just because you've decided to slow down or skip the booze. Unexpected guests? Don't fret. Your secret weapons for hosting are here: holiday mocktails.
These non-alcoholic drinks are as fancy and flavorful as their spirited counterparts. So good news for the designated drivers, expectant mothers, and everyone else joining the fun.
Let's raise a glass to the season of cheer!
RUM HORCHATA LATTE
Horchata is a classic Latin American winter drink made from milk, rice, vanilla, and cinnamon. Surprisingly, rice adds a rich creaminess that results in a full-bodied, sweet treat. The kids can drink it as-is and adults tend to add a splash of Ritual Rum Alternative. It's not just a beverage, it's a festive celebration in a glass, and this non-alcoholic version means you can share the joy all night long.
1
1/2 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
1 1/2 oz. horchata
1 oz. espresso
Garnish: freshly grated cinnamon
Directions: Combine the ingredients in a glass over ice and stir gently. Top
with fresh grated cinnamon.
CANDY CANE SWIZZLE
Treat yourself to this delicious holiday cocktail made with non-alcoholic spirits. A holiday take on the well-known Army & Navy cocktail, this Candy Cane Swizzle incorporates candy cane syrup - a minty finish to the sweet almond flavors from orgeat.
1 1/2
oz. Ritual Gin Alternative
1 oz. lemon juice
1/4 oz. orgeat
1/2 oz. candy cane
syrup
float of Peychaud’s bitters (or your favorite non-alc bitters)
Garnish: candy cane
Directions: Combine the ingredients in a Collins glass and fill with crushed ice until the glass is two-thirds full. Swizzle together using a bar spoon. Top with more ice and add garnish.
TIZ' THE SEASON TODDY
Get in the holiday (non-alcoholic) spirits with this delicious warm cocktail. Kick your winter blues to the curb with a warming Hot Toddy mocktail featuring spiced cranberry syrup. This drink marries all the festive flavors of the season, served hot with a generous splash of your favorite non-alcoholic spirit.
2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
1 oz.
lemon juice
3/4 oz. spiced cranberry honey syrup
Hot water
Garnish: whole star anise & cinnamon
Directions: Combine whiskey, lemon juice, and syrup in a heat-tempered glass. Top with about 3 ounces of hot water and stir gently. Add garnish.
NICE LIST
Stay on the nice list by making this cocktail with Ritual. It's sweet enough to please people who'd rather not taste the alcohol in their cocktail but also balanced for the more discerning drinkers.
1 1/2 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
1/2 oz. passion fruit-honey syrup
3/4 oz. orange juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
Garnish: decorative bow
Directions: Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Double-strain into a chilled coupe. Add garnish.
THE COZY BLANKET
Nothing is more fitting of a winter cocktail than one that just tastes cozy. Pomegranate, a favorite Mediterranean fall fruit, blends deliciously with tequila and lime, and surprisingly well with cinnamon simple syrup. This zero proof cocktail will be a pleasant surprise for partygoers, whether they're mocktail drinkers, cocktail drinkers, or both!
1 1/2
oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
1/2 oz. cinnamon
syrup
3/4 oz. lime juice
1 tbsp. pomegranate
seeds
2 dashes Angostura bitters (or your favorite non-alc bitters)
Garnish: lime wheel
Directions: Muddle the pomegranate seeds with the syrup, bitters, and juice. Add all remaining ingredients plus ice and shake. Double strain into a glass over ice and garnish with a lime wheel.
CHRISTMAS BUCK
Looking for a holiday mocktail on the sour side? This recipe is a merry mix
of lemon juice, sweet cranberry juice, a dash of bitters, ginger beer, and Ritual Whiskey Alternative. This
drink is a wonderful holiday play on the classic Kentucky Buck.
5 oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
3/4 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. cranberry
juice
3-5 dashes of bitters
2 oz. ginger beer
Directions: Add all ingredients except ginger beer to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a glass with ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon wheel and fresh cranberries.
HOLIDAY FIZZ
Meet the Holiday Fizz, a jolly good mocktail recipe that puts a festive spin on the classic gin fizz. Our version is made by substituting traditional gin for our Gin Alternative so there’s no compromising that floral bite. This concoction is sure to have your holiday guests rockin' around your Christmas party.
2 oz.
Ritual Gin Alternative
2 oz. Fever Tree Tonic
Garnish: cranberry and
rosemary sprig
Directions: Fill the glass with ice. Pour Gin Alternative over ice. Top with high-quality tonic and garnish with rosemary/cranberry sprig on a skewer.
RUM HOT CHOCOLATE
Who doesn't love a warm, creamy hot chocolate to drive away the winter chill? Our Rum Hot Chocolate recipe is delightfully rich, has a cheeky hint of spiced rum flavor, and the best part? Have a few of these, and you’ll still wake up refreshed tomorrow.
Serves two
4 oz.
Ritual Rum Alternative
1 1/2 C. milk
1/4 C. chocolate chips
1 tbsp. caramel
1/2 tsp. sea salt
Directions: Add milk, chocolate, caramel, and salt to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until chocolate is melted and all ingredients are well blended. Add hot chocolate to two mugs. Add 2 oz of rum alternative and stir. Top with whipped cream and more caramel.
RUM EGGNOG
This holiday classic showcases the richness of creamy eggnog, enhanced with robust flavors of Ritual Rum Alternative. It's a perfect brew for those seeking a cocktail that they can only enjoy around the holidays.
Serves two
4 oz.
Ritual Rum Alternative
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 C. sugar
3/4 C. milk
1/2 C. heavy cream
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions: Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Add to two glasses and sprinkle with cinnamon.
HOLIDAY RUSH
This minimalistic holiday cocktail is ideal for the low-cal partygoer. Cranberries and rosemary give it an herbal aroma, making it intoxicatingly scented and festively fizzy.
3 oz.
Ritual Gin Alternative
Tonic water
Whole cranberries
Garnish: rosemary sprigs
Directions: Pour Ritual Gin Alternative into a tall glass or shaker of ice and stir until well chilled. Transfer to a smaller serving glass and top with tonic water. Garnish with skewered cranberries and a rosemary sprig.
POMEGRANATE GINGER PALOMA
Palomas conjure up thoughts of Cozumel and Taco Tuesdays, but this spin makes for a tasty treat with more of a 'Feliz Navidad' attitude. Spicy ginger compliments the sweet citrus notes of pomegranate and grapefruit wonderfully in this invigorating blend.
GINGER SYRUP:
1/2 C. honey
1 inch fresh ginger chopped
Mint leaves
Directions: Boil water, honey, and ginger over heat. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, remove from heat, and add mint. Wait 10 minutes. Strain out the ginger and mint.
PALOMA:
1 1/2 oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
1 1/2 oz. pomegranate juice
1 1/2 oz. grapefruit
juice
1/2 oz. lime juice
2-4 tablespoons ginger syrup
Ginger beer or sparkling water to top
Crushed ice
Directions: Fill your glass halfway with ice. Add the pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, syrup, and Ritual Tequila Alternative. Stir to combine and then top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint. enjoy!
HOLIDAY TABLE HIGHBALL
The highball is a family of cocktails comprised of a spirit, a carbonated component, ice, and a tall glass. What makes this one special? Cranberry juice and...drum roll please...cinnamon-sweet potato syrup! This easy mocktail is deliciously crisp and won't leave you feeling foggy-headed in the morning.
1 1/2
oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
1/2 oz. cinnamon-sweet potato syrup
1/3 oz. cranberry
juice
Lemon soda water
Garnish: lemon slice
Directions: Combine all ingredients minus the soda
in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with soda water (about 4 oz) and
add garnish.
YULETIDE MULE
Something about a cocktail invented in the Russian tundra just feels right to sip on in the dead of winter. This mule incorporates a sweet jam and swaps vodka for Ritual Tequila Alternative.
2 oz.
Ritual Tequila Alternative
3 bar spoons of Trade Street Jam Co. Plum
& Rose Jam
4 oz. of ginger beer
cranberry (for garnish)
Directions: In a glass mix the jam and tequila together. Add ice to the glass. Top with ginger beer and serve. Float cranberries to garnish.
HOLIDAY TEQUILA PUNCH
Sometimes we want to enjoy some punch without feeling like we've been punched the next morning. Shake up your holiday festivities with this non-alcoholic crowd-pleaser. This recipe is fruity without being too saccharine - the perfect drink for family parties and weeknight Christmas celebrations. Cheers to that!
2 oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
1/2 oz. spiced cranberry syrup
3/4 oz. orange juice
1/2 oz. lime juice
Garnish: cranberry and lime wedge
Directions: Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a glass and top with ice. Add garnish.
SPICED CRANBERRY MARGARITA
Cheers to New Year's with a Spiced Cranberry Margarita Zero Proof cocktail. Brimming with the tangy goodness of cranberries, a spicy kick, and Ritual - 'tis the recipe for guilt-free indulgence. So sip, enjoy, and repeat these holiday high notes without a hiccup.
1 1/2
oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
1/2 oz. agave syrup
1/2 oz. non-alcoholic Triple
Sec syrup
1 oz. lime juice
3/4 oz. cranberry juice
Directions: Salt the rim of a glass and set aside. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a prepared glass with fresh ice. Garnish with fresh cranberries.
STRAWBERRY GIN SMASH
Vibrant red, green, and white hues perfectly capture the holiday spirit. This delightful drink boasts a slightly fruity flavor that tastes remarkably like gin, without the unwanted after-effects. The perfect accompaniment for holiday toasts!
3 oz.
Ritual Gin Alternative
1 tsp. simple syrup
1 lime wedge
3 fresh strawberries
Club soda
Garnish: fresh mint sprig
Directions: In a tall glass, combine simple syrup and the juice of the lime wedge. Add the strawberries and muddle. Fill the glass with ice and add Ritual Gin Alternative. Top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with a strawberry and a mint sprig.
SIDE HUSTLE
With an intriguing fusion of spiced cranberry syrup, sweet potato, and sage flavors, this non-alcoholic cocktail is the perfect sidekick for your festive celebrations. You might even say it's the 'spirit' of the season (without the spirits, of course)!
1 1/2
oz. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
1 oz. lemon juice
2/3 oz. spiced cranberry
syrup
1/3 oz. sweet potato & sage syrup
Garnish: cranberries skewered on a cocktail pick, dehydrated lemon
wheel
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain over ice. Add garnish.
MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE
Nothing screams "holiday cheer" more than a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Packed with real dark chocolate and satisfying dulce de leche, this drink will have even the biggest Scrooges humming Jingle Bells.
3/4
C. Ritual Whiskey Alternative
4 C. whole milk
2 C. half-and-half
1/2 C. dulce de leche
10 oz. 70% dark
chocolate
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. Kosher
salt
2 Cinnamon sticks
Directions: Whisk together milk, half-and-half, dulce de leche, and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Return mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually whisk in finely chopped 70 percent dark chocolate, whisking until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in pure vanilla extract, kosher salt, and Ritual Whiskey Alternative. Discard cinnamon sticks. Serve warm.
BOURBON CHAMPAGNE MOCKTAIL
Say cheers this winter with a Bourbon Champagne Mocktail, our spin on Kentucky's countryfied mimosa. Feel free to swap in whiskey instead of our Zero Proof version or champagne instead of cider for a low-abv version. Legend has it that Santa himself prefers this to milk and cookies...
2 oz.
Whiskey Alternative
1/2 oz. orange juice (low abv: triple sec)
4 dashes bitters
4 oz. sparkling cider (low abv: champagne)
Garnish: orange
twist
Directions: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine Whiskey Alternative and orange juice. Shake gently. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with bitters, then sparkling cider. Garnish with an orange twist.
HOLIDAY EGGNOG
This eggnog recipe has the works - cloves, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and more. Something about homemade eggnog tastes way more satisfying, especially when it's spruced up with our Whiskey Alternative. Plus, it's got all the bark and the bite of the real thing.
3/4 C.
Ritual Whiskey Alternative
1 C. heavy cream
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, sliced
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
8 whole cloves,
crushed
6 allspice berries, crushed
2 cinnamon sticks,
broken
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for serving
4 C. whole milk, divided
8 large eggs,
separated
3/4 C. granulated sugar
Pinch kosher salt
Directions: Combine heavy cream, ginger, vanilla, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2 cups milk in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until tiny bubbles begin to appear around the edge of the pot (do not let boil), 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat egg yolks with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Gradually beat in sugar and salt. Increase mixer speed to high and beat until thick and very pale in color, 2 to 3 minutes.
Strain spiced cream mixture, discarding spices; return to pot. Slowly whisk 1 cup warm cream mixture into yolk-sugar mixture on low speed; return to pot with cream mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until mixture reaches 170°F and coats the spatula, 12 to 15 minutes.
Place the pot over a large bowl filled with ice water and let cool, stirring occasionally, until chilled, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in Ritual Whiskey Alternative.
Just before serving, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes; fold into eggnog. Serve topped with nutmeg.
MAPLE OLD FASHIONED
The warmth of bourbon, the richness of maple syrup, and the hint of orange take this Old Fashioned to the next level. Whiskey lovers can sip on their favorite cocktail all night and still stay up to play Santa's elf.
2 oz.
Ritual Whiskey Alternative
1/2 oz. Maple syrup
3-5 Dashes of bitters
Garnish: orange peel and
cherry
Directions: Add whiskey alternative, syrup, and
bitters to a mixing glass with ice. Mix with a bar spoon until well chilled. Strain over ice.
Bartender Bonus
Whether you're mixing cocktails in a bustling bar or for an intimate get-together, homemade ingredients make the experience far more memorable. We've created a few special blends you can make at home that encompass the diverse flavors of winter. You'll find these syrups in the Christmas mocktails above, but we'd love for you to get creative and mix up some of your own recipes!
CANDY CANE SIMPLE SYRUP
1 C. of Water
12 standard-size candy canes, 5 1/2 inches
Unwrap candy canes and place in a pot with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and continue stirring until candy is dissolved completely. Let cool and store refrigerated for up to 1 week. Best if chilled overnight but can be used immediately.
CINNAMON SIMPLE SYRUP
1 C. granulated sugar
1 C. water
4 cinnamon sticks, broken into large pieces
Bring all ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 8-10 minutes until sugar has dissolved, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool. Discard cinnamon sticks, strain into a clean glass jar, and cover. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
CRANBERRY HONEY SIMPLE SYRUP
1/2 cup clover honey
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
In a small saucepan over medium heat simmer the water and the honey until honey fully dissolves into the water. Add the fresh cranberries and continue simmering for 8 minutes (until the cranberries split or pop). Remove from heat and allow to cool. Place in a container with an airtight lid. Seal.
