Cheers! Festive Winter Mocktails for the Whole Family

This season, ward off the winter chill with festive, flavorful mocktails that the whole family can enjoy. These recipes are just the thing for a holiday gathering (or a fun after-school treat), and they’re a delicious way to get cozy on the quick. From slow cooker mulled cider to Harry Potter’s butterbeer, check out the recipes below and sip away!

Cranberry Cooler

Your little ones will feel super fancy sipping this pretty drink from Sugar & Soul—just look at that sprig of rosemary! It's got a bit of everything: bubbles, tart cranberries and a hint of peppermint. 

Apple Pie Punch

It’s apple pie meets festive drink! This recipe from Frugal Momeh combines apple cider, pear nectar and ginger ale to create a drink that Johnny Appleseed himself would be happy to sip on through fall, winter, and beyond.

Vanilla Steamer with Rose Marshmallows

A steamer is a frothy cup of milk that’s lightly sweetened. It’s a great kid-friendly alternative to hot chocolate and this version has a nice vanilla flavor and an added pink treat: rose-flavored marshmallows! Try it for yourself with the recipe from Boulder Locavore.

Roy Rogers

A Roy Rogers is a close cousin to the Shirley Temple drink, and this Coca-Cola concoction is a fun addition to any holiday party. And with only two ingredients, it’s a snap to mix up. For the simple how-to, pay a visit to Sugar and Soul.

Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider

Warm up with a mug of mulled cider! This slow cooker recipe from Boulder Locavore is the perfect comfort drink, full of apple-y goodness and spices. Be sure to strain it for the kiddos, then watch as your whole batch disappears! 

Non-Alcoholic Mimosa

Mimosas for everyone! This genius idea takes your fave brunch treat and gives it a non-alcoholic twist (think sparkling apple cider instead of champagne). With no added sugar and a healthy dose of fresh orange juice, it’s a fun treat for the whole family. For the recipe, head on over to Watch What U Eat.

Very Cherry Shirley Temple

You can’t get more classic than a Shirley Temple! It’s nostalgia meets cherry flavor—especially if you use mason jars as glasses—and you can adjust the ingredients to suit your kiddos. For an extra kick, add lime! Get the recipe from Kitchen Happiness.

Ginger Lime Mocktail

It’s a superfood in liquid form that your lil’ ones will love drinking out of fancy, garnished glasses. Chock full of antioxidants and vitamin C, this ginger-lime mocktail by paleo-friendly food blog Elana’s Pantry is a must-add drink for dinner or lunch time. Click here to get the recipe.

Pumpkin Pie Shooters

It doesn't matter if it's not fall—pumpkin flavor is always in season. We’ve spotted these Pumpkin Pie Shooters from family blog A Night Owl. The creamy shots can be made with alcohol for the grown-ups and without for the kids.

Non-Alcoholic Eggnog

As soon as their fingertips have thawed out, put this seasonal frothy eggnog directly in their hands. This rich blended concoction from food blogger A Sweet Pea Chef is a rich drink that's not for the faint of heart as it’s full of sweet milk and thick cream. 

Frost Bite Mocktail

This Frost Bite mocktail would definitely be a feature at Elsa's coronation. Made from fruit juices, fresh basil and Sierra Mist, this refreshingly sweet drink is great for families who don’t get a white winter. Get the recipe from The Little Kitchen.

Milk Punch

Nothing sends your little one to bed better than a warm cup of milk, so why not give that classic sleepy time drink a sweet twist? Warmed in a saucepan, this soothing milkshake will definitely knock their socks off into a happy dreamworld! Special thanks to Kevin & Amanda for sharing this amazing recipe from Commander’s Palace.

Butterbeer from Harry Potter

In the books, this drink is described as “a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch” that characters get on a chilly day. Sounds like the perfect winter drink for us! While there are many versions of this drink, our favorite way to make it comes from pastry chef Kristin Rosenau’s blog Pastry Affair.

Hot Not-Toddy

This traditional English drink is often used to help soothe cold symptoms. But skip the whiskey for your little dukes and duchesses, and load this hot tea with cinnamon and ginger for a body-toasting effect. Check out this crockpot recipe from Elana’s Pantry.

— Abigail Matsumoto & Christal Yuen

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