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).
If you’ve ever stared at a drink menu wondering which virgin drinks to order that still feel festive and fun, this list is your cheat sheet.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This one’s as pretty as it is delicious. Orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine layered to look like, well… a tropical sunrise.
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.
Fresh watermelon juice, lime, and basil over crushed ice. It’s bright, a little herbal, and totally thirst-quenching.
Lime, mint, soda water, and coconut cream? Yes please. It’s basically a vacation in a glass.
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, upscale restaurants, or even on cruises. Honestly, cruise bartenders are usually really good at mocktails, and half the time they’ll start throwing together random tropical combinations that somehow end up being better than the actual cocktail menu… in my humble mocktail opinion.
If a cruise is in your future, my Cruise Packing List: 31 Must-Have Items You Shouldn’t Forget includes several things I never leave home without for pool days, beach stops, and sea days.
Aromatic, bubbly, and beautiful. Ask for lemonade with a splash of lavender syrup topped with soda water. Add edible flowers for ✨vibes✨.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Muddled berries, lemon juice, and soda water. This one’s tart, fizzy, and not overly sugary. Great for dinner.
Green tea, peach purée, mint. Feels like something you’d find at a spa menu and tastes like clean girl energy.
Guava nectar, lime, mint, and soda water. Guava always gives such a unique twist—this one feels super summery.
Blended coconut milk, lime juice, and ice. Creamy, tangy, and frosty.
Blackberries, mint, lemon, and soda. A gorgeous dark purple color and super refreshing.
Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just skipping alcohol for a bit, these virgin drinks to order prove that you can sip something just as fun and flavorful as the real deal. 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.
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Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
Hundreds of motorcycles. Tweed suits. Tennessee roads.🏍️
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global charity event, classic and vintage bikes, dressed-up riders, raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The bikes are stunning. The outfits are even better.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗 | @gentlemansride
Went in for Italian. Left thinking about pasta for three days straight.🍝
Osteria Stella in Knoxville is THE date night spot, pink door, moody lighting, and a radiatori con broccoli pesto that I would genuinely go back for alone. The lasagna comes out as its own perfect slice with crispy edges all around. The focaccia with garlic confit disappeared before anyone admitted to eating it.
Make a reservation. Order the pasta. Thank me later.
Full review linked in bio. 🔗
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
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