As summer approaches, it is common for cocktails to be served at parties. Cocktails certainly is a refreshing drink to serve, especially during the warm summer months. But what do you do if you don't want to serve alcoholic drinks? Thankfully, there are many non-alcoholic drinks available, ranging from non-alcoholic wine to non-alcoholic beer. If you're looking for some tasty dry drinks to serve this summer, you have come to the right place. In this article, we'll take a look at our top picks for the best dry drinks recipes, as well as tips for making dry drinks. Let's get started! 

What Are Dry Drinks?

Before we go any further, let's first define what dry drinks mean. While you may have heard the term dry drinks used before, dry drinks also have a variety of other names. Basically, dry drinks are cocktail drinks that don't contain any alcohol. They are also commonly known as mocktails. Dry drinks often use juices, sodas, infused waters, and many other non-alcoholic ingredients to provide flavor. There are many benefits of drinking dry drinks as an alternative to drinks containing alcohol. Below, we'll take a closer look at those benefits. 

Benefits Of Dry Drinks

The benefits of drinking dry drinks in replace of alcoholic drinks are endless. Not only are dry drinks healthier, but they also are much cheaper to make and can be served to anybody, including children. Below, let's take a look at the benefits of dry drinks and reasons why you should start serving mocktails at your parties. 

1. Dry Drinks Are Less Expensive

When you make cocktails, you may not realize how expensive alcohol can be. Alcohol is considered the most expensive ingredient in cocktails. When alcohol is removed from the cocktails, the price of them drops down significantly, which allows you to make more cocktails for less money. Keep in mind, however, that if you buy non-alcoholic cocktails at bars, they can cost more than alcoholic cocktails. Therefore, if you want to save money on dry drinks, it is best if you make them at home. 

2. Dry Drinks Are Safe For Children, Pregnant Women, and Recovering Alcoholics

One major benefit of dry drinks is that they are safe for everybody to drink. As you may already know, alcohol is not safe for pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding their babies. With dry drinks, however, there is no harm to the baby nor the mother when you drink it. Dry drinks are also safe for children and recovering alcoholics to drink. People who are young, pregnant, or recovering from being an alcoholic can still enjoy drinking a mocktail without having any side effects. 

3. You Don't Have To Worry About Having A Hangover

One of the most common side effects of drinking alcohol is having a hangover. Signs of a hangover include headaches, nausea, sensitivity to light, and fatigue. Fortunately, dry drinks do not have such side effects since they don't contain alcohol, and you can be sure to wake up the next day feeling alert and energetic. Because dry drinks don't cause hangovers, you can feel free to drink a dry drink at any time of the day on any day of the week. 

4. Dry Drinks Are Healthy

Not only are dry drinks delicious to drink, but they also have a lot of health benefits. Dry drinks are normally made with fruits and sometimes even vegetables, which are obviously healthy ingredients. Sometimes dry drinks also contain ingredients such as coconut water and milk. In addition to containing healthy ingredients, dry drinks are very hydrating. As you may already know, alcohol can cause dehydration, especially if you drink too much. What's nice about dry drinks is that it actually hydrates your body, since it contains added water. 

Common Ingredients Used In Dry Drinks

Before we take a look at the best dry drinks recipes, let's first take a quick look at common ingredients used in dry drinks. Dry drinks come in many different flavors. Usually, dry drinks are flavored with fruits or vegetables. Raspberries, watermelons, mangos, and lemons are common ingredients used to flavor dry drinks. Below, let's take a look at common ingredients used in mocktails so that you'll know what ingredients you should have on hand. 

1. Fresh Citrus 

While you can use bottled citrus juice for making mocktails, fresh citrus fruits are preferred since they are free of added sugar and are simply beautiful. Lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges (preferably blood oranges) are often placed on the brim on the mocktail glass. You can also add chunks of these fruits to make your dry drink more interesting looking. 

2. Berries

Another common fruit used in dry drinks is berries. Raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and blackberries are common berries added in dry drink recipes. If you can't decide what berry flavor you would like to use, you can opt for a mixed berry drink. 

3. Syrup

If you're looking for a quick and simple way to add flavor to your dry drink, then the syrup is the way to go. Making syrup is very simple. All you need to do is add equal amounts of water and sugar in a saucepan over high heat. Brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut sugar, and honey work great. If you don't like a lot of sugar, you can simply add more water than you do sugar. Once you find a syrup recipe that works for you, you can experiment with the infusions that you add. Rosemary, mint leaves, cinnamon sticks, and fresh ginger make great ingredients to add to your dry drinks. 

4. Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented drink loaded with probiotics and health benefits. It is sometimes added to cocktails to add extra health benefits and antioxidant properties. Keep in mind, however, that Kombucha is a slightly alcoholic drink. Therefore, if you add it to your dry drinks, your drinks will no longer be completely non-alcoholic. 

5. Vegetables 

In addition to adding fruit to dry drinks, vegetables can also be added. Common vegetables to add include carrot pulp, tomato puree, beets, kale, and peppers. These vegetables are usually put in a blender, but you can leave a few chunks of them in your drink if you'd like. 

6. Melons

Watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe can be added to your dry drink if you'd like. Once again, melons can either be put in a blender or you can leave them in little chunks. Watermelon is one of the most common cocktail flavors, both in alcoholic cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails.

7. Spices, Herbs, and Seasonings

As I mentioned earlier, you can add herbs and spices to your dry drink, including rosemary, mint, turmeric, ginger, crushed red pepper, and basil. Kosher salt is also sometimes added to non-alcoholic cocktail drinks. Feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs in your drinks. 

Best Dry Drinks Recipes

1. Raspberry Fizz

Recipe Source: Taste Of Home

This first dry drink recipe requires only four ingredients and just a few simple steps to make it. It is estimated to only take 5 minutes to make. Made with raspberries and grapefruit, this non-alcoholic drink is not only free of alcohol, but it is also nutritious. It is not overly sweet and it has a mild raspberry flavor. 

Ingredients:

Directions:

Step 1:

In a mixing glass or tumbler, combine grapefruit juice and syrup. 

Step 2:

Place ice in a highball glass; add juice mixture. Top with club soda.

2. Mango-Ginger Mocktails

Recipe Source: Rachael Ray Every Day

Once again, this mango-ginger mocktail only requires four ingredients. Made with mango nectar and fresh lemon juice, these mocktails are both healthy and delicious. It also contains Ginger Ale, which gives this drink a ginger-flavor. This dry drink is the perfect alternative to alcoholic cocktails and is fairly easy to make. It would make a refreshing drink to serve on a hot summer day. 

Ingredients: 

Directions:

Step 1:

Just before serving, mix together the ginger ale, mango nectar and lemon juice in a large pitcher. 

Step 2:

Pour into tall glasses filled with ice and garnish with lemon slices.

3. Berry Sweetheart

Recipe Source: The Spruce Eats

If you would like to try a berry dry drink, perhaps you'd like to make this delicious Berry Sweetheart. The Berry Sweetheart combines cranberries, apple juice, and honey to create a healthy and refreshing drink. It only requires 3 ingredients to make this mocktail, plus the additional maraschino cherry added for decoration. This is the perfect dry drink option for those who love berries and sweetness. 

Ingredients:

Directions:

Step 1: 

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.

Step 2:

Add the juices and honey to a mixing glass.

Step 3:

Stir the ingredients with a barspoon.

Step 4:

Pour the contents of the mixing glass into the highball glass.

Step 5:

Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

4. Watermelon Lemonade

Recipe Source: Tasting Table

Because watermelon is so popular during the summer, it is no wonder why watermelon lemonade is becoming popular as well. Not only is watermelon a sweet treat to have, but it is also very hydrating. This lemonade also contains lemons so that you still get the same tangy flavor as you would in regular lemonade. 

Ingredients: 

Directions:

Step 1: 

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the water with the sugar, lemon zest and mint sprig. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool completely, then strain, discarding the solids.

Step 2:

In a blender, combine the lemon syrup with the remaining 2 1/4 cups of water, the watermelon and lemon juice. Purée until smooth, then strain into an ice-filled pitcher. Divide between glasses, garnish with a slice of watermelon and a mint sprig, then serve.

5. Watermelon Bellini

Recipe Source: What's Cooking, Love?

Once again, this dry drink recipe is perfect for those who love watermelon. Unlike the other dry drinks recipes that I have covered in this article, this watermelon Bellini only requires two ingredients. Let's take a look at how to make this delicious drink. 

Ingredients:

Directions:

Step 1:

Puree the watermelon in a blender.

Step 2:

Evenly divide the puree between 4 champagne glasses. Fill the glasses with sparkling cider. Garnish with a piece of watermelon if desired.

Final Thoughts On Dry Drinks

I hope this article has helped you find a dry drinks recipe that you'd like to try. As you can see, there are many dry drinks options available. These dry drinks would make a refreshing drink to serve during the hot summer months. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors until you find a dry drink recipe that you like. Have fun!

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