A non-alcoholic mixed drink (also known as virgin cocktail, temperance drink, or mocktail) is a cocktail-style beverage made without alcoholic ingredients.
Also called "zero proof" drinks, the non-alcoholic drink dates back to the earliest days of the cocktail age, appearing as 'Temperance drinks' in the first American cocktail books, including Jerry Thomas's Bar-Tenders Guide (1862). Merriam-Webster cites the first mention of 'mocktail' as appearing in 1916.
While the name of the non-alcoholic drink, as well as its style, has evolved over time, it is often a reflection of cocktail culture at large. The 1980s saw the resurgence of a 'mocktail' movement with often sugary drinks. Following the sophistication of cocktail culture of the 2000s, the zero proof drink also became more refined.
Mocktails, a portmanteau for "mock cocktails", are non-alcoholic drinks. The word "mock" implies a facade of the alcoholic cocktail without any of the alcoholic content. In the 2000s, it became popular enough to find its place on cocktail menus in many restaurants and bars, especially temperance bars. According to Mintel, alcohol-free mixed drinks grew 35% as a beverage type on the menus of bars and restaurants from 2016 to 2019 in the US. In 2019, "The Providence Journal" reported that there were at least 4 bars in New York City that served mocktails only.
Zero proof drinks can be made in the style of classic cocktails, like a non-alcoholic gimlet, or can represent a new style of drink altogether. The popularity of drinking abstinence programs like Dry January, coinciding with the rise of the health and wellness culture has pushed non-alcoholic drinks to wider acceptance. Like the vegetarian food movement or the popularity of oat milk, zero proof drinks are now seen as valid choices for all types of drinkers.
List of non-alcoholic cocktails
Arnold Palmer
Freddie Bartholomew
Gunner
Lemon, lime and bitters
Roy Rogers
Tortuga
Virgin Mary
Virgin colada
Shirley Temple (drink)
Others
Basil Lemonade – from Oscar's Steakhouse at Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, contains basil simple syrup and sweet and sour. Faux margarita – a mix of spicy jalapeño and pineapple. Keep Sober – from The Underground Speakeasy at Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, contains grenadine, lemon, and elderflower tonic. Molossolini – Molossian signature soft drink, mixed drink with Sprite, grenadine, and pineapple juice. With cherries added and slices of banana, orange, and pineapple. Rosemary grapefruit fizz – from The Underground Speakeasy at Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, contains grapefruit, rosemary, and tonic. Strawberry Refresher – from Oscar's Steakhouse at Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, contains strawberry puree, lime juice, and Sprite.
List of traditional non-alcoholic drinks
Aam panna
Aguas frescas
Aguapanela
Almdudler
Apfelschorle
Atole
Babycino
Baesuk
Bandrek
Bandung
Barley water
Birch sap
Blåbärssoppa
Bread Drink
Cendol
Chalap
Champurrado
Champús
Chass
Chicha morada
Cholado
Chai
Cola
Coffee
Doogh
Egg cream
Egg nog
Elderflower cordial
Es bir
Falooda
Garapa
Ginger ale
Ginger tea
Hawaiian Punch
Horchata
Hot chocolate
Hwachae
Janda pulang
Jindallae hwachae
Kefir
Kombucha
Kvass
Lassi
Lemonade
Licuado
Mattha
Mazamorra
Milkshake
Mocochinchi
Mote con huesillo
Nectar
Orange drink
Orange soft drink
Peanut milk
Peanut punch
Roasted barley tea
Root beer
Sarsaparilla
Sharbat
Shikanjvi
Smoothie
Squash (drink) Subak hwachae Sujeonggwa Switchel Tea Tereré Thadal Water Yerba Mate Yuja hwachae
List of branded non-alcoholic drinks
Accelerade
Bonjus
Bovril (Drink) Burple Claytons Coolatta Crodino Crystal Light Easy Mixers Cocktail Enviga Froster Gatorade Harar Sofi Hoppy Hi-C JÄRN Kellogg's Special K2O Protein Water Kool-Aid Lipton Brisk Matte Leão Milo Nestea Nutrimato Orange Whip Powerade Propel Fitness Water RAC 124 Rooh Afza Sangria Señorial Shloer Slow Cow Slurpee Slush Puppie Staminade Sustagen SunnyD Tang Thirst Buster Yoo-hoo