7 non-alcoholic summer cocktails that won't disappoint

The weather is finally heating up in the UK and what better way to celebrate than a tasty, refreshing summer cocktail, sure to tantalise your taste buds. So, for those of you that aren't part of the day-drinking club and would prefer to enjoy a beverage in the sun without the horrible hangover, we've compiled a list of our 7 favourite summer mocktail recipes.

Some of these recipes are as easy as it gets, with minimal ingredients and next to no prep. For others you'll need to pull out all the stops, though they'll be sure to make you king or queen of the barbecue. So, get set to enjoy the summer days, one sip at a time with these booze-free refreshing drinks:

Homemade lemonade

Okay, this first one is kind-of cheating as it's not quite a mocktail, but we promise you'll be an absolute saviour to your pals when the temperature goes through the roof.

On a hot day, almost nothing is more refreshing than that first sip of homemade ice-cold lemonade. No summer drink is easier to make - with just 4 ingredients and a few minutes in the kitchen - it won't be long til you're putting smiles on the faces of everyone at the garden party. The trick with this one is temperature - the colder the drink, the better.

(Credit: Delish)

Ingredients: 10 servings

Syrup

• 240 ml water
• 200 g caster sugar
• 240 ml fresh lemon juice
• 1.5l cold water

Lemonade

• 240 ml fresh lemon juice
• 1.5l cold water
• Ice
• Lemon slices

Method

1. Place a saucepan over medium heat, bring the water to a boil, stir in the added sugar until dissolved, then set aside for cooling.
2. Take a jug/pitcher, stir together the cooled syrup, lemon juice and cold water.
3. Pour over plenty of ice and add lemon slices to finish.

Margarita

This fruity margarita punch (sans alcohol of course) is sure to be a fan favourite. But you can easily add tequila and/or triple sec if you do prefer the boozy version. With just 2 steps to creating this thirst-quenching delight, you'll be out of the kitchen and back in the sun in no time.

(Credit: Liz On Call)

Ingredients: 12 servings

• 2 cups limeade
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• 1/2 – 1 cup club soda
• sugar and coarse salt for rim
• limes for garnish
• Ice

Method

1. In a pitcher, mix limeade, orange juice and simple syrup together.
2. In a bowl, mix equal parts salt and sugar.
3. Slice lime and rub around the rim of serving glass, then dip rim into the sugar & salt mix until coated.
4. Fill a glass half full with ice.
5. Pour limeade mixture into glass.
6. Add a small amount of soda to the top.
7. Squeeze some lime into each drink and add a wedge for decoration.

Virgin blackberry mojito

Who doesn't love a classic mojito?

Well, this non-alcoholic version is just as refreshing, with a twist of fresh blackberries and an easy-to-make syrup.

(Credit: Delish)

Ingredients: 4 servings

Syrup

• 15g fresh mint leaves
  
• 200g caster sugar
• 240ml water

Mojito

• 120ml lime juice
• 150g blackberries
• 1tsp. caster sugar
• 700ml sparkling water
• ice
• fresh mint, for garnish

Method

1. Crush mint leaves in a bowl - a wooden spoon is best if you don't have a pestle and mortar.
2. Add to a pot with sugar and water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let boil for 3 minutes then remove from heat and leave to cool to room temperature. Strain out mint leaves.
3. Add blackberries and sugar to a small bowl, and crush blackberries until broken down.
4. Divide blackberries between 4 glasses and add 2 tablespoons of the syrup and 2 tablespoons lime juice to each. Fill glasses with ice, top off with sparkling wate and finally garnish with mint.

Virgin piña colada

This made-from-scratch virgin piña colada is just as good as the original, you won't even miss the alcohol.

The Puerto Rican classic is normally made with white rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice - in this remix, just skip the rum and go for coconut milk instead of the cream. There's just 3 simple steps to this recipe, but it does require a blender.

(Credit: The Spruce Eats)

Ingredients: 3 servings

• 1.5 cups frozen pineapple chunks
• 1/4 cup ice
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice
• 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar, optional
• Fresh pineapple wedges and/or Maraschino cherries, garnish

Method

1. Add frozen pineapple chunks and ice to your blender.
2. Pour in the pineapple juice and coconut milk. Add brown sugar (optional). Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into serving glasses and garnish with fresh pineapple wedges or a maraschino cherry for the perfect look.

Elderflower blueberry lime mocktail

If you’re looking for an alcohol-free cocktail that goes with anything and everything, then look no further. This Elderflower blueberry lime mocktail is fruity, floral and packs the perfect amount of sweetness.

You can make this with just a few simple ingredients and with only 3 steps it'll take you no time at all.

(Credit: Sugar Salted)

Ingredients: 1 serving

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) elderflower syrup
• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) fresh lime juice
• small handful of blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup (240 ml) mineral sparkling water
• ice
• fresh mint and lime slices, for garnish

Method

1. Add elderflower syrup, lime juice and blueberries in a glass. Lightly mix them together - you're aiming to break some blueberries and juices to release.
2. Add a generous helping of ice and a couple of lime slices to finish the mix.
3. Pour over sparkling water until it reaches the top of your glass. Add mint leaves to garnish.

Frozen peach bellini mocktail

These Bellini mocktails are perfect for a hot summer's day. The ice-cold non-alcoholic drink does a fantastic job at cooling you down and tingling your taste buds with the refreshing peach flavour. (PS: you'll need a blender for this one too)

(Credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Ingredients: 2 servings

• 1 cup sparkling apple juice, with more leftover for serving
• 2 teaspoons sweetener
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 2 ripe frozen peaches, peeled and sliced

Method

1. To prep the peaches - slice then place into the freezer for one hour.
2. Once frozen, add peaches, apple juice, lime juice and sweetener to a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Pour into serving glasses and add a dash of sparkling apple juice to finish.

Easy iced tea

Usually the most alcohol-filled cocktail on the menu - the Long Island iced tea - can be just as satisfying without the mix of booze. You can easily make up a quick jug of iced tea to serve on a sunny day, in just a few minutes. The subtle tea flavour, alongside hints of orange lemon and mint, makes it a great non-alcoholic cocktail for any summer occasion.

(Credit: BBC GoodFood)

Ingredients: 6 servings

• 6 tea bags
• 1.5l water
• 2tbsp golden caster sugar
• 1tbsp honey, with extra to serve
• 2 lemons - 1 juiced & 1 sliced
• 1 orange , sliced
• fresh mint leaves
• ice

Method

1. Combine the tea bags, sugar, honey and 1.5 litres water in a jug. Leave to infuse for roughly 10 mins. Once properly infused, remove the teabags and chill the mixture until cold enough to serve.
2. Once ready - mix in lemon juice, lemon slices, orange slices and mint leaves.
3. Fill the jug with ice and pour into serving glasses - adding a little extra honey to taste.