Let’s just go ahead and clear one thing up—I don’t drink. By choice. Honestly, I like to save all the room I have for food. While I love seeing a well-paired wine or curated cocktail on the menu, I’d rather use that real estate for dessert—or an extra appetizer. That said, I love a good mocktail moment. Especially when I’m with friends, traveling, or soaking up the sun at an all-inclusive resort (looking at you, Sandals).

Over the years, I’ve learned how to confidently order off-menu, get creative with bartenders, and keep a running list of mocktails I can ask for just about anywhere. Whether I’m sipping on something tropical beachside or sitting at a fancy dinner with a very curated drink menu, I always like to have a few non-alcoholic go-tos in my back pocket.

The top 10 mocktails on this list are my personal favorites—classic, crowd-pleasing, and super easy to order. The rest are a little more adventurous and might require a bartender with a shaker and a little imagination, but I’ve had amazing luck getting these at high-end restaurants and resort lounges.

Here’s my ultimate list of 20 fun and flavorful virgin drinks to order when you want something fancy and festive—without the booze.

🥭 1. Mango Mojito (on the rocks or blended like a smoothie)

Fresh mint, lime, mango puree, and soda water. I’ll order this either over ice or blended when I’m in the mood for something smoothie-like. It’s tropical, bright, and not overly sweet.

🍍 2. Pineapple Mojito

Same idea, different fruit. This one’s slightly more tart than mango and super refreshing. Bonus if they muddle fresh pineapple with mint and lime.

🍓 3. Miami Vice

Half strawberry daiquiri, half piña colada—blended and layered. You can ask for this virgin almost anywhere tropical, and it’s the ultimate vacation drink.

🍹 4. Any Flavor Margarita

Strawberry, mango, passionfruit, watermelon—whatever they’ve got. Ask for a salted rim (or Tajín if they have it) and enjoy that zingy lime slush without the tequila burn.

🍓 5. Any Flavor Daiquiri

Same fruity options as a margarita, but often a little smoother. Order it blended and icy for a frozen treat you can sip poolside or with dinner.

🥥 6. Mango Piña Colada

Take your piña colada and level it up with mango. This combo is like drinking sunshine. 10/10 would recommend at any Sandals swim-up bar.

🥒 7. Tropical Sunrise

This one’s as pretty as it is delicious. Orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine layered to look like, well… a tropical sunrise.

🥭 8. Painkiller – Add Grenadine and Mango at the Bottom

Coconut cream, pineapple juice, orange juice—and if you add grenadine and mango at the bottom, it gives you a layered effect and a pop of extra flavor.

🍉 9. Watermelon Basil Cooler

Fresh watermelon juice, lime, and basil over crushed ice. It’s bright, a little herbal, and totally thirst-quenching.

🍹 10. Coconut Mojito

Lime, mint, soda water, and coconut cream? Yes please. It’s basically a vacation in a glass.

✨ Now for the Adventure Section: Virgin Drinks to Try When You’re Feeling Fancy

These next drinks are a little more unique—you might not find them on every menu, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how many bartenders are willing to whip these up, especially at luxury resorts or upscale restaurants.

🍋 11. Lavender Lemonade Fizz

Aromatic, bubbly, and beautiful. Ask for lemonade with a splash of lavender syrup topped with soda water. Add edible flowers for ✨vibes✨.

🌶️ 12. Cucumber Margarita with Jalapeño and Tajín Rim

This one is chef’s kiss if you want something with a spicy kick. Ask for muddled cucumber, jalapeño slices, lime juice, and a Tajín rim. You’ll feel like a mixology queen just holding it.

🥭 13. Mango Mule

Mango puree, lime juice, add jalapeño slices for a spicy kick, and ginger beer. It’s like a tropical twist on a Moscow Mule, minus the hangover.

🍏 14. Appletini

Is it a little 2002 of me? Maybe. But I love a crisp, tart, green apple mocktail in a martini glass. Feels fancy. I’m here for it.

🍈 15. Virgin Lychee Martini

Lychee juice, lime juice, and a splash of soda. I’ve had this at fancy Asian restaurants and it always hits. Exotic and lightly sweet.

🍓 16. Berry Citrus Spritz

Muddled berries, lemon juice, and soda water. This one’s tart, fizzy, and not overly sugary. Great for dinner.

🍑 17. Peach Green Tea Refresher

Green tea, peach purée, mint. Feels like something you’d find at a spa menu and tastes like clean girl energy.

🍹 18. Guava Mojito

Guava nectar, lime, mint, and soda water. Guava always gives such a unique twist—this one feels super summery.

🧊 19. Frozen Coconut Limeade

Blended coconut milk, lime juice, and ice. Creamy, tangy, and frosty.

🍇 20. Minted Blackberry Smash

Blackberries, mint, lemon, and soda. A gorgeous dark purple color and super refreshing.

Final Sip

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just want a break from booze while traveling, mocktails can be just as fun, flavorful, and Instagrammable as their boozy counterparts. I’m always on the hunt for creative non-alcoholic drinks that feel like an experience—especially when I’m staying at dreamy resorts like Sandals, where the bartenders are usually game for anything.

Bookmark this list, screenshot it, or keep it in your Notes app so you always have an idea ready to go. And if you ever find a new one I need to try—DM me immediately. I’ll have my glass (and camera) ready.