5 Fall Mocktail Recipes for a Cozy Sober Autumn

The air is getting crisper here in Texas, so it’s time to settle in and get cozy with a nice non-alcoholic mixed drink! We’ve compiled a short list of mocktail recipes for this autumn season, ranging from large-batch drinks to vegan options. Try out a recipe or two for yourself and be sure to let us know what your favorite is!

Caution to Those in Early Recovery

Some of the recipes on this list replicate authentic alcoholic mixed drinks that may be triggering depending on where you are in recovery. If you’re newly sober, you may want to forego this list and the concept of mocktails/non-alcoholic drinks in general. Many people in early recovery find that being around alcohol tests their self-control too much. Even things that smell similar to alcohol can be a trigger to those who are not yet established in their sobriety. Be cautious and listen to what your body and mind need to stay safe and responsible in recovery. 

Drink 1: Autumn Harvest Punch

This is a fun drink to serve if you’re hosting a sober Halloween party or an autumn event where you want to include sober options. This recipe yields one gallon with a prep time of 30 minutes. However, we’d also like to note here that the longer this punch sits in the refrigerator, the more “punch” it will have. So if you’re looking for a punch that’s especially flavorful, consider making this recipe the night before your event so the ingredients have time to build flavor.

Ingredients

3 Cups Lemonade

5 Cups Apple Cider

1 Cup Orange Juice

5 Cups Sparkling Water

¼ Cup Maple Syrup

3-4 Rosemary Sprigs

3 Apples

1 Orange

2 Cinnamon Sticks (Optional)

Instructions

1. In a large pitcher, mix the apple cider with the orange juice and lemonade. Set the mixture aside.
2. Cut the apples and the oranges into slices and add them to the pitcher.
3. Mix in the maple syrup and add the rosemary sprigs.
4. Optional: Add cinnamon sticks to add a little spice.
5. Cover and take to the refrigerator for 2 hours or until chilled.
6. Add the sparkling water and mix.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Drink 2: Autumn Spiced Mocktail

The perfect drink to sip by the fire on a chilly night! This recipe yields 4 drinks with a prep time of 3 minutes and a cook time of 1 hour. 

Ingredients

4 Cups of Diet Cranberry Juice

1 Orange, Juiced

1/2 Granny Smith Apples, cored and cut into slices

1 Teaspoon Whole Cloves

Cinnamon Stick

Piece Fresh Ginger, cut to the thickness of a penny

An Empty Tea Bag or Cheesecloth

Optional: Orange Slices, Rosemary Spriggs, and Cinnamon Stick for garnish

Instructions

1. Place ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves into the tea bag and pull the drawstring tight. You can also tie spices in cheesecloth if you do not have a tea bag.
2. Pour 4 cups of cranberry juice into a saucepan. Place teabag of spices, orange juice, and apple slices in pan.
3. Simmer over low heat for one hour.
4. Remove the teabag of spices. Chill to serve cold over ice or serve immediately if you would like it warm.
5. Garnish a cold drink with an orange slice and a sprig of rosemary.  Garnish a warm drink with a cinnamon stick.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Note: This recipe also does well in the crockpot on low heat for 3 hours!

Drink 3: Virgin Cranberry Margarita

This drink calls for non-alcoholic tequila and non-alcoholic orange liqueur. However, you can very easily leave out the NA tequila and substitute regular orange juice to achieve a similar flavor without faux liquor products. This recipe yields one drink with a prep time of only a couple of minutes.

Ingredients

Lemon wedge and cinnamon sugar for the rim

2 Ounces of non-alcoholic silver tequila

1 Ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1 Ounce cranberry juice

¾ Ounce nonalcoholic orange liqueur

½ Ounce agave

Ice

Cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

1. To prepare the rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
2. With the cinnamon sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, non-alcoholic tequila, lime juice, cranberry juice, non-alcoholic orange liqueur, and agave.
4. Shake to chill.
5. Strain into prepared glass.
6. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Drink 4: Candy Corn Mocktail 

A gluten-free and vegan mocktail, in case you’re working with diet restrictions. This recipe yields one drink with only a couple of minutes of prep time.

Ingredients

5 Ounces no pulp orange juice

½ Ounce lime juice

⅓ Ounce lemon juice

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

Topo Chico sparkling water

Optional: Cocowhip, candy corn for garnish

Instructions

1. Add a few ice cubes to a mason jar or cocktail shaker.
2. Add the orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to your shaker of choice.
3. Put your lid on and give it a good shake.
4. Strain your drink over a martini glass.
5. Top with Topo Chico.
6. For garnish, add a spoonful of Cocowhip (or any other non-dairy or dairy whipped topping), and some candy corn!
7. Serve and enjoy!

Drink 5: Pumpkin Spice White Russian

This drink calls for non-alcoholic coffee liqueur. However, it can easily be substituted for regular coffee, or decaf if you have to get up early! This recipe yields one drink with a prep time of only a couple of minutes.

Ingredients

1½ Ounces pumpkin pie coffee creamer

1 Ounce milk

2 Ounces of non-alcoholic coffee liqueur or chilled coffee

Ice

Optional: Pumpkin pie spice for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pumpkin pie creamer, milk, and non-alcoholic coffee liqueur.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with pumpkin pie spice if desired.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Eudaimonia Can Help Keep You on the Path to Recovery

Eudaimonia offers excellent recovery programs with tailored care. In these programs, individuals can develop positive coping skills with the tools necessary to maintain sobriety. Eudaimonia even provides tailored care based on gender and orientation. We also include supervised, short-term housing to provide support for newly sober individuals. But no matter where you are in your recovery, Eudaimonia Sober Living Homes can provide support every step of the way. We have facilities for sober living in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs ready to assist you in living your sober lifestyle. Call Eudaimonia Sober Living Homes at (888) 424 – 4029 for more information on the sober living process and current room availability.