12 Pregnancy Mocktails: Recipes for New and Expecting Moms

Preparing for a new baby is a celebratory time, but how you enjoy yourself matters. Rather than sipping on plain water or sodas with added sugars, consider compiling a list of your favorite mocktails to make. To help you get started, here are some of the best pregnancy mocktails for moms-to-be.

Why Drink Mocktails for Moms-to-Be?

During pregnancy, one of the most important things you need to change about your lifestyle is removing alcohol. When you drink, alcohol passes directly through the placenta to your baby. This can increase the risk of serious complications, including miscarriage, premature birth, congenital conditions, and low birth weight. It can also lead to fetal alcohol syndrome disorders, which may lead to lifelong physical, behavioral, and learning challenges.

While some people may say that a glass here or there is okay, there is currently no known safe amount of alcohol to have during pregnancy. When breastfeeding, things are a bit different, as you can enjoy a glass of wine or beer and then wait until the alcohol leaves your system. But it's best to find a safe alternative to enjoy during pregnancy.

How to Create a Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Bar for Moms-to-Be (and Other Sober Guests)

To ensure you have everything you need to make your favorite mocktails, keep various fresh fruits on hand—think lemons, limes, oranges, berries, and even melons for a juicy twist. Fresh herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, and thyme can also elevate your drinks with vibrant aromas and unique flavors. To make things even fancier, buy some simple syrup and experiment with infused syrups like vanilla, lavender, or even homemade creations.

Other things to add to your grocery list include:

• Cranberry juice
• Pomegranate juice
• Apple juice
• Orange juice
• Tropical juices
• Ginger beer
• Soda water
• Tonic water
• Ginger ale
• Lemon-lime sodas

Non-alcoholic bitters add complexity, while fun garnishes—like fruit slices, edible flowers, or colorful cocktail umbrellas—bring the final flourish to your mocktail masterpiece. If you really want to impress your friends at social gatherings, you can even stock up on alcohol-free gin, tequila, vodka, and even whiskey! There are so many non-alcoholic options available that avoiding alcohol has never been easier.

12 Unbelievable Mocktail Recipes and Ideas for New and Expecting Moms

Just because you’re skipping the alcohol doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fun, flavorful drinks! Whether you're expecting, nursing, or simply looking to enjoy a refreshing beverage without the buzz, these pregnancy-friendly mocktails are the perfect solution.

1. Rosemary-Infused Watermelon Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh watermelon, cubed
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp honey or agave syrup (adjust to taste)
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 cups cold water or sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Blend the watermelon until smooth and strain to remove pulp if desired.
2. In a small saucepan, combine honey with ½ cup water and rosemary sprigs. Heat until the honey dissolves, then let it cool.
3. In a large pitcher, combine watermelon juice, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup.
4. Add cold water or sparkling water and stir well.
5. Serve over ice with a rosemary sprig and lemon wedge garnish.

2. Chocolate Martini Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chocolate milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp simple syrup or maple syrup
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Ice cubes
• Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine chocolate milk, cocoa powder, syrup, and vanilla extract with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until well-mixed and chilled.
3. Strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder.

3. Alcohol-Free Mimosas

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 cup sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
• Orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a champagne flute halfway with orange juice.
2. Top with sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
3. Gently stir and garnish with an orange slice.

4. Virgin Cucumber and Basil Smash

Ingredients:

• ½ cucumber, sliced
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup
• Sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Muddle cucumber slices and basil leaves in a shaker.
2. Add lime juice, honey, and ice, then shake well.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with cucumber slices and a basil sprig.

5. Virgin Bloody Mary

Ingredients:

• 1 cup tomato juice
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (ensure it’s alcohol-free)
• A dash of hot sauce (to taste)
• A pinch of celery salt and black pepper
• Ice cubes
• Celery stalk, olives, and lemon wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, and pepper with ice.
2. Shake gently and strain into a tall glass over ice.
3. Garnish with a celery stalk, olives, and a lemon wedge.

6. Virgin Margarita

Ingredients:

• ½ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp simple syrup or agave syrup
• ¼ cup sparkling water
• Salt for rimming the glass
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim your glass with lime juice and dip it in salt.
2. In a shaker, mix lime juice, orange juice, syrup, and ice. Shake well.
3. Strain into the prepared glass filled with ice, and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge.

7. Virgin Piña Colada

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ½ cup coconut milk or coconut cream
• 1 tbsp honey or simple syrup (optional)
• 1 cup crushed ice
• Pineapple slice and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend pineapple juice, coconut milk, honey, and ice until smooth.
2. Pour into a chilled glass.
3. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a cherry.

8. Sparkling Berry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp honey or simple syrup
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices and berries for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle the berries in a pitcher.
2. Add lemon juice and honey, then stir well.
3. Pour in sparkling water and mix gently.
4. Serve over ice with lemon slices and extra berries for garnish.

9. Watermelon Margarita Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh watermelon, cubed
• ½ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 tbsp agave syrup
• Ice cubes
• Salt or sugar for rimming
• Lime wedge and watermelon slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend watermelon until smooth and strain if needed.
2. In a shaker, combine watermelon juice, lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup with ice. Shake well.
3. Rim glass with salt or sugar, pour in the mixture over ice, and garnish with lime and watermelon.

10. Non-Alcoholic Palomas

Ingredients:

• ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp simple syrup or agave
• Sparkling water or club soda
• Salt for rimming
• Ice cubes
• Grapefruit wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim glass with salt.
2. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, and syrup in a glass with ice.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

11. Alcohol-Free Sangria

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grape juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• ½ cup pomegranate juice
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 cup sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine grape juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, and sliced fruits.
2. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
3. Before serving, add sparkling water and ice.
4. Serve with fruit slices in each glass.

12. White Russian Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold brewed coffee or decaf coffee
• ½ cup milk or non-dairy creamer
• 1 tbsp simple syrup or vanilla syrup
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Pour in coffee and syrup, stir well.
3. Slowly add milk or creamer over the top for a layered effect.
4. Stir gently before drinking.

The best thing about making mocktails at home is that once you find your favorite recipe, you can enjoy it anytime! Mocktails aren't just for pregnancy. They're a great alternative to a boozy drink and can be enjoyed on a bright summer day or while you're cozy on the couch.

However, when choosing your favorite mocktails, watch the sugar content. Some beverages can be adjusted to reduce the sugar per serving, but the sugar can quickly add up throughout the evening. There are several sugar alternatives that you can use in your mocktails, or you can stick to popular recipes that rely on herbs and fruits for added flavor.

Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Enjoy

While non-alcoholic cocktails can be a fun way to enjoy special gatherings, they're not the only alcohol-free options available. Thanks to a rise in the sober-curious movement, many popular brands now offer non-alcoholic beers and alcohol-free seltzers. This is a great option for those who aren't too invested in mixology and prefer to keep it simple.

Of course, you can also enjoy fruit juices, infused water, sparkling water, coconut water, or any other drinks that don't need to be mixed and served. To help you feel included, just pour your beverage of choice over some crushed ice in fancy glassware with a garnish, and you're all set.

Whether enjoying these mocktails for pregnancy at a baby shower or sipping on one to satisfy a sweet craving, these drinks are great alternatives to alcoholic options. But don't get so excited about all the fun mocktails that you forget to stock up on baby essentials! To help ensure you're ready for your big day, don't forget to order an insurance-covered breast pump from Byram Healthcare today. We have a wide selection of pumps designed to support every mom's breastfeeding journey.