Pretty in pink and so fresh, this strawberry mocktail is a not-too-sweet, non-alcoholic drink featuring juicy strawberries muddled with a touch of honey, then brightened with lime and mint. It's a deliciously summery drink that celebrates peak strawberry season in every sip.
Like my strawberry cocktail but minus the booze and with a bit of honey and lime juice, this fresh and frothy strawberry mocktail is a delicious, summery thirst-quencher! Juicy strawberries are muddled in a glass with honey and mint, then you'll add lime juice and sparkling water for a fruity, beautifully hued drink. Stir in some strawberry simple syrup for extra sweetness and color, or add rhubarb simple syrup for that classic combination of strawberry and rhubarb.
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What You'll Love
A quick and easy mocktail is one of my favorite things. I'll make my husband a rhubarb gin cocktail or a strawberry gin & tonic, then whip up a strawberry mocktail for myself. It's especially nice when strawberries are at their peak, and I know you'll love this drink because:
- It's made in one glass. The easiest drinks taste fancy but need seconds to make. I use honey here rather than simple syrup, so I don't have to make anything extra.
- There's so much flavor. I love the sweet brightness of the strawberries, the floral honey, the sharp bite of mint, and the citrusy lime, all balanced by effervescent bubbly water.
- You can adjust it to your taste. Check out some of my variation suggestions lower down to make this mocktail your very own.
Ingredients Needed
Just a handful of ingredients are all you'll need for this mocktail. Make sure to scroll down to my recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full ingredient amounts and instructions!
- Strawberries - I like to use fresh strawberries here because this is a drink to celebrate strawberry season! But you can use frozen strawberries too.
- Honey - A bit of honey sweetens up the drink even more. Substitute maple syrup or simple syrup if needed.
- Lime - Lime is a wonderful, complementary flavor to strawberries. Try lemon juice if you don't have lime.
- Mint - Fresh mint leaves, please! If you don't have mint, you can omit this.
- Sparkling water
Variation Ideas
- Other fruit - Use this method to make similar drinks, like a raspberry mocktail or a blueberry mocktail. You could also add a few of these berries to the glass when muddling the strawberries for a flavor twist.
- Add flavored simple syrup - Swap the honey for a strawberry simple syrup or rhubarb simple syrup (linked above).
- More mojito-like. I don't call for crushing the mint with the strawberries, but you can add mint leaves into the glass a bit after you start crushing the strawberries - like you'd do when making a mojito for more minty flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's an overview in photos of how to make an easy strawberry mocktail:
1. Muddle: Place strawberries, lime juice, and honey in a glass. Use a spoon to stir and crush the strawberries until they are pretty smooth.
2. Add sparkling water: Add a few ice cubes and top the glass with sparkling water. Garnish with mint.
Make Ahead for Easy Entertaining
For quick drinks when guests arrive, make the base ahead. Muddle the strawberries, honey, and lime juice up to 8 hours in advance and store, covered or in an airtight container, in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, stir, then add a few tablespoons to each glass. Add mint leaves and ice, then top with sparkling water and serve!
Tips & Recipe Notes
- Make it a punch. For a beautifully fresh strawberry punch, muddle a whole container of strawberries with the juice of 2 limes and ¼ cup of honey. Place in a pretty, large bowl or pitcher and rest it until you're ready to serve. Then, add ice, top with sparkling water, and stir in torn or chopped mint leaves.
- Double up. Why not make two drinks at a time? When I know I'm in the mood for more than one, I'll double the quantities, muddle the strawberries, etc., then divide between two glasses so I have another ready to go.
- Add lime slices. Float a few thinly sliced slices of lime on the top of each drink.
- What flavor of water? Your choice - use seltzer or club soda, or try flavored waters. I like lime or lemon-flavored sparkling water, or try watermelon for an even more summery flavor.
- Try basil. Basil and strawberry are also a winner of a combo. Instead of the mint, try garnishing each drink with fresh basil leaves.
- Make it a cocktail. I know, I know - this is a strawberry MOCKTAIL recipe. However, if you like the easy method detailed here, but want to add an alcoholic punch, substitute the sparkling water for sparkling wine.
More Strawberry Recipes
If you make this strawberry cocktail recipe, I'd love to know. Please leave a comment below, reach out with any questions, and tag me on Instagram @Cucina Nicolina ❤️
Recipe
Fresh Strawberry Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 strawberries , tops cut off
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey , or use maple syrup, agave, or simple syrup
- mint leaves , chopped or torn, to taste
- sparkling water , to finish
Instructions
- Place the 2 strawberries, 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, and 1 teaspoon honey in a glass. Using a spoon, press and stir (this is called muddling) the ingredients together until the strawberries break down and a rough puree forms.
- Add ice cubes, top up with sparkling water, and garnish with mint leaves.
Notes
- Make it a punch. For a beautifully fresh strawberry punch, muddle a whole container of strawberries with the juice of 2 limes and ¼ cup of honey. Place in a pretty, large bowl or pitcher and rest it until you're ready to serve. Then, add ice, top with sparkling water, and stir in torn or chopped mint leaves.
- Double up. Why not make two drinks at a time? When I know I'm in the mood for more than one, I'll double the quantities, muddle the strawberries, etc., then divide between two glasses so I have another ready to go.
- Add lime slices. Float a few thinly sliced slices of lime on the top of each drink.
- What flavor of water? Your choice - use seltzer or club soda, or try flavored waters. I like lime or lemon-flavored sparkling water, or try watermelon for an even more summery flavor.
- Try basil. Basil and strawberry are also a winner of a combo. Instead of the mint, try garnishing each drink with fresh basil leaves.
- Make it a cocktail. I know, I know - this is a strawberry MOCKTAIL recipe. However, if you like the easy method detailed here, but want to add an alcoholic punch, substitute the sparkling water for sparkling wine.
I'd love to hear from you! Please leave me a note.