Easy Beet Mocktail

Finding non-alcoholic drinks that feel special can be tricky, especially when you’re hosting parties or just want something more interesting than plain water. Between designated drivers, pregnant friends, and those who simply prefer to skip the alcohol, having good mocktail options is becoming more important than ever.

That’s where this beet mocktail comes in handy: it’s naturally sweet, has a beautiful color, and feels just as fancy as any cocktail. Plus, it’s super easy to make ahead for gatherings, and you can adjust the sweetness to match your taste.

What Kind of Beetroot Juice Should I Use?

For this mocktail, you can use either fresh-pressed beetroot juice or store-bought versions – both will give you that beautiful earthy flavor and rich color. If you’re going with store-bought juice, look for 100% pure beetroot juice without added sugars or preservatives, usually found in the produce section or health food aisle. Making your own juice at home using a juicer will give you the freshest taste, and you can even roast the beets first for a deeper, slightly sweeter flavor. Just make sure to strain your fresh juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any pulp that might make your mocktail grainy.

Options for Substitutions

This bright mocktail recipe can be customized in several ways to match your taste or what you have in your kitchen:

• Non-alcoholic spirit: If you don’t have non-alcoholic spirit, try using coconut water or sparkling water for a different but refreshing take. You could also use a mix of apple juice and tonic water for complexity.
• Beetroot juice: Fresh beetroot juice is best, but you can use store-bought. In a pinch, you could blend cooked beets with a bit of water and strain. Just note that the color might be slightly different.
• Lime juice: While fresh lime juice gives the best taste, you can swap it with lemon juice. Just avoid bottled juice as it won’t give you the same fresh taste.
• Maple syrup: Feel free to use honey or agave nectar instead. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste, as sweeteners vary in intensity.
• Ginger health shots/fresh ginger: If you don’t have either, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger, or even a splash of ginger beer for that spicy kick. Just reduce other liquids slightly if using ginger beer.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making a beet mocktail is balancing the earthy flavor of beetroot juice – using too much can overwhelm the drink, so start with less and adjust to taste.

Getting the sweetness right is crucial since raw beet juice can be quite intense – add the maple syrup gradually, tasting as you go, rather than dumping it all in at once, and remember that cold temperatures can dull sweetness so you might want to make it slightly sweeter than you think necessary.

When working with fresh ginger, avoid using too much as it can quickly overpower the other flavors – start with a small amount and add more if needed, and make sure to strain the mixture well to remove any fibrous bits that could affect the smooth texture of your drink.

For the best flavor combination, chill all ingredients before mixing, and if you’re using fresh beets to make juice, be sure to strain it multiple times to avoid any grittiness in your final drink.

What to Serve With Beet Mocktails?

These pretty pink mocktails are perfect for pairing with light appetizers that won’t overpower their earthy-sweet flavor. Small bites like goat cheese crostini, cucumber sandwiches, or hummus with pita chips make great companions to this drink. Since the mocktail has bold flavors from beets and ginger, I like to keep the food simple – think fresh veggies with herb dip or mixed nuts with sea salt. If you’re hosting a party, try serving these alongside mini quiche or smoked salmon canapés for an elegant non-alcoholic happy hour spread.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: If you’ve mixed up more than you need, pour your beet mocktail mixture (without ice) into an airtight container or bottle and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better as they mingle together!

Prep Ahead: Want to get ready for a party? Mix all ingredients except the lime wedges up to 24 hours before serving. Just give it a good shake before pouring, as the beetroot juice might settle at the bottom. Add your garnishes just before serving to keep them looking fresh.

Serve: For the best taste, serve your mocktail right away over fresh ice. If you’re serving from the fridge, give it a quick stir or shake to make sure all those lovely ingredients are well mixed. Don’t forget to add your lime wedges just before serving!

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	5-10 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 200-250
• Protein: 1-2 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-55 g

Ingredients

• 2 ginger health shots (about 2 oz total)
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (grade A amber preferred)
• 1 cup beet juice (freshly pressed for best flavor)
• 1 cup non-alcoholic spirit (I use Seedlip Spice 94)
• lime wedges (for garnish)
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice

Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

In a jar, combine the zero proof spirit, beet juice, lime juice, maple syrup, and ginger shots.

If using thinly sliced fresh ginger, add it at this stage.

Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that all the ingredients are well combined and the flavors are balanced.

Step 2: Serve the Drink

Prepare serving glasses by filling them with ice cubes.

Pour the well-mixed beverage over the ice in each glass.

Garnish with lime wedges for an added touch of freshness and a pop of color.

Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing, non-alcoholic cocktail!