Non-Alcoholic Drinks and Cocktails to Sparkle This New Year’s Eve

Ring in the new year with style and no regrets. Whether you’re hosting a garden gathering, rooftop countdown or cosy indoor celebration in South Africa, alcohol-free drinks can be just as festive as traditional cocktails. This guide delivers sparkle, flair and flavour for zero-proof sipping: context, trends, serving tips and 7 full recipes you can plug directly into your party menu.

Why zero-alcohol drinks matter for New Year’s Eve in South Africa

• They ensure every guest can raise a glass at midnight from designated drivers to pregnant friends to anyone skipping alcohol.
• They suit warm South African summer nights: chilled, refreshing and vibrant.
• They align with the rising global interest in “mindful drinking” and alcohol-free options. 
• They let you get creative with flavours, presentation and décor like bubbles, fruit, herbs, mock-spirits and showy glassware all welcome.

Planning your alcohol‐free drink strategy

• Signature drink + backup options: Choose one standout mocktail, plus a crowd-pleaser and a simple option (e.g., infused water or soda with garnish).
• Make-ahead components: Syrups, cuts of fruit and herb infusions can be prepared earlier and simply assembled on the night.
• Serving style: Use flutes for elegance, highball glasses for casual gatherings and a punch bowl for large groups.
• Garnish matters: Bubbles, colourful straws, herbs, citrus wheels, edible glitter or fancy ice cubes enhance the experience.
• Label clearly: Especially if there will be alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks present helps everyone feel included.

7 Alcohol-Free Drinks & Mocktail Recipes

1. Sparkling Citrus French 75 Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 3 oz chilled non-alcoholic sparkling wine or premium tonic water
• Ice
• Lemon twist for garnish

Method

1. In a shaker with ice, combine lemon juice and simple syrup.
2. Shake or stir to chill, then strain into a chilled flute or coupe.
3. Top with the non-alcoholic sparkling wine or tonic.
4. Garnish with the lemon twist and serve immediately.

2. Virgin Mojito (Mint & Lime Sparkler)

Ingredients

• ½ lime, quartered
• 10 mint leaves
• 1 tsp sugar (or sweetener of choice)
• Crushed ice
• Sparkling water or soda to top
• Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

Method

1. Place lime quarters and sugar in a glass and muddle gently.
2. Add mint leaves, clap them to release aroma and press lightly.
3. Fill glass with crushed ice.
4. Top up with sparkling water/soda, stir lightly.
5. Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig.

3. Cranberry Sparkler with Edible Glitter

Ingredients

• 1½ oz cranberry juice
• Splash of lime juice
• Chilled non-alcoholic rosé or sparkling cider
• Edible red glitter (optional)
• Fresh cranberries & stirrer stick for garnish

Method

1. Pour cranberry and lime juices into a flute.
2. Optionally add a pinch of edible glitter.
3. Top with non-alcoholic rosé or sparkling cider until nearly full.
4. Garnish with a few cranberries on a stirrer and serve.

4. Ginger Berry Mule (Zero-Proof)

Ingredients

• ¼ cup fresh blueberries
• ½ lime, juiced
• 1 tsp sugar
• Crushed ice
• Ginger beer (non-alcoholic) to fill
• Lime wheel & blueberries for garnish

Method

1. Muddle blueberries, lime juice and sugar in a copper mug or tall glass.
2. Add crushed ice.
3. Fill with ginger beer, stir gently.
4. Garnish with lime wheel and a few blueberries.

5. Tropical Coconut & Pineapple Cooler

Ingredients

• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz coconut water (or coconut cream for richness)
• ½ oz lime juice
• Ice
• Sparkling water to top
• Pineapple wedge and mint for garnish

Method

1. Combine pineapple juice, coconut water/cream and lime juice in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake gently and strain into a tall glass with fresh ice.
3. Top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with pineapple wedge and mint.

6. Spiced Orange & Rosemary Punch (Batch for Crowd)

Ingredients (approx. 1 litre batch)

• 500 ml orange juice
• 300 ml tonic water or soda
• ¼ cup honey or simple syrup
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 1 orange, sliced into wheels
• Ice

Method

1. In a pitcher, combine orange juice, syrup and rosemary sprigs.
2. Stir and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let rosemary infuse.
3. Add orange wheels and ice.
4. Just before serving, pour in tonic/soda and stir gently.
5. Serve in glasses with additional rosemary sprig garnish.

7. Cold Brew Coffee & Vanilla Cream Mocktail

Ingredients

• 4 oz cold brew coffee
• 1 oz vanilla syrup
• Ice
• 2 oz cream or oat-cream topping
• Coffee beans or chocolate shavings for garnish

Method

1. Fill a short glass with ice, add cold brew and vanilla syrup.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Gently float cream or oat-cream on top.
4. Garnish with a few coffee beans or chocolate shavings.

A refined non-alcoholic coffee-cocktail for the evening wind-down.

Serving & Presentation Tips for South Africa

• Pre-chill glassware to keep drinks crisp in warm settings.
• Use local ingredients: fresh mint from the garden, citrus zest, seasonal berries.
• Offer visually distinct non-alcoholic drinks so guests feel included and elevated.
• Display with flair: metallic straws, coloured stirrers, fresh herb garnishes, cocktail umbrellas or edible flowers add theatre.
• Label your options: “Zero-proof Sparkler” or “Tropical Cooler – non-alcoholic” helps everyone choose confidently.
• Consider making a large punch bowl (as in Recipe 6) to reduce bar-tending during the countdown.

Trend & Health Insights

Non-alcoholic cocktails such as “mocktails” or “zero-proof” drinks are more than a niche now. They’re becoming central to celebrations, especially among younger age groups and health-conscious hosts. Hosting a brilliant New Year’s Eve doesn’t mean everyone must drink alcohol, it means everyone should feel part of the celebration.

ALSO READ: 10 best pregnancy non-alcoholic drinks in South Africa + FAQs