The holiday season brings with it a unique opportunity to delight the family and other guests with more than just the usual fare. While traditional Christmas cocktails remain a popular choice, more and more people are opting for non-alcoholic alternatives like DIY mocktails that are inclusive of all ages and dietary preferences.
For those seeking something a touch more inspired than the usual soda, these non-alcoholic and water-based recipes offer a little something for everyone – perfect for putting the household’s water dispenser to good use during the festive season. Each drink idea boasts great flavour, texture, and visual charm that are sure to fit right into the vibes of any Christmas gatherings.
1. Christmas Spa Water
This infusion offers a light and crisp beverage that serves best as a palate-cleanser or welcome drink during the festive season. The blend of fresh cranberries and rosemary with chilled water produces a holiday-themed aesthetic (red and green), while maintaining a subtle flavour profile. Hosts may prepare this ahead of time and present it in a transparent vessel to highlight the garnish arrangement.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (approx. 150 g) fresh cranberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 6 cups ice (plus more if desired)
- 10 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Approximately 10 cups cold water
Directions
- Place the fresh cranberries at the bottom of a large glass pitcher or beverage dispenser.
- Add the lemon juice and fill the pitcher nearly to the top with ice.
- Pour in the cold water, then arrange the rosemary sprigs along the inner edge of the pitcher so that they remain visible.
- Stir gently to allow some cranberries to float to the surface.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 1–2 hours to allow flavour infusion before serving.
2. Easy Holiday Mocktail
This mocktail is a vibrant, fruit-forward drink composed of cranberry, apple and lime flavours, complemented by mint and sparkling water and features aromatic herbs, layered juices and natural sweetness. When prepared in batch form, it becomes an elegant non-alcoholic alternative suitable for all ages. By using a water purifier in Singapore, hosts can ensure that the base sparkling or still water is of high quality, thereby enhancing the overall taste profile.
Ingredients
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
- 2 oz (60 ml) cranberry juice
- 1 oz (30 ml) apple cider or apple juice
- ½ oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice
- Sparkling water (to top)
- Ice
- Garnish (optional): fresh cranberries, a mint sprig, a slice of lime
Directions
- In a mixing glass or individual serving glass, gently muddle the mint leaves together with the maple syrup to release aromatic oils from the mint.
- Add the lime juice, cranberry juice and apple juice, then fill the glass with ice and stir to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
- Top the mixture with sparkling water to fill the glass, and stir lightly to integrate.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries, a mint sprig and a slice of lime before presenting to guests.
3. Eggnog (Alcohol-Free & Egg-Free)
A classic holiday beverage re-imagined: this rich and creamy “nog” is entirely alcohol-free and also egg-free, using vanilla ice cream as the foundational component. By choosing high-fat vanilla ice cream and fresh nutmeg, it creates an indulgent texture and depth of flavour.
Ingredients
- 1½ qt (approx. 1.4 litres) vanilla ice cream, divided
- 1 cup (240 ml) half-and-half
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg (plus extra for garnish)
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Directions
- Place 1 qt of the vanilla ice cream in a bowl and allow to stand at room temperature until partially thawed (approximately 1 hour). Return the remaining ½ qt to the freezer.
- Combine the partially thawed ice cream, half-and-half, whole milk, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, vanilla extract, ground cloves and kosher salt in a blender. Blend for about 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and frothy.
- Pour the blended mixture into a punch bowl or equivalent serving vessel. Scoop the remaining ½ qt of vanilla ice cream on top of the mixture to create a textured layer.
- Garnish with additional freshly grated nutmeg before serving.
- Optional variations: (a) Add a few teaspoons of instant espresso for a coffee-flavoured nog; (b) Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder into the blender to produce a chocolate-nog variant, finish with whipped cream and chocolate curls.
4. White Hot Chocolate
This festive drink substitutes traditional hot chocolate with a white-chocolate version and boasts a creamy experience with minimal preparation time (approximately 15 minutes). It is ideally suited for colder weather and can act as a dessert-drink in its own right. The mixture of half-and-half, milk, white-chocolate chips and vanilla extract results in a decadent treat.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (360 ml) half-and-half
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- ¾ cup (approx. 135 g) white-chocolate chips
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Mini marshmallows (for topping)
Directions
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the milk and half-and-half, warming gently until close to steaming (do not boil).
- Add the white-chocolate chips and stir until fully melted and incorporated into the milk mixture.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and kosher salt to round out the flavour profile.
- Pour into mugs, then top each serving with mini marshmallows and additional white-chocolate chips if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot.
5. Grapefruit and Lime Citrus Mocktail
A clean, sophisticated mocktail offering bright citrus notes and a slight tartness, making it a great alternative to heavier holiday beverages. The grapefruit and lime combination provides a refreshing contrast to richer desserts or meals, and the sparkling water topping introduces a lively effervescence.
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
- ½ oz (15 ml) maple syrup (or adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Sparkling water (to top)
- Garnish: a slice of grapefruit or lime
Directions
- In a chilled glass, combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice and maple syrup, adjusting the sweetness to suit preference.
- Add ice cubes and stir to chill the mixture thoroughly.
- Top with sparkling water and stir gently to integrate the effervescence without disturbing the ice excessively.
- Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime and serve cold.
6. Holiday Punch
This recipe yields a large-volume, visually festive punch ideal for a crowd. The combination of raspberry sherbet, cranberry (or mixed cranberry/pomegranate) juice and ginger ale delivers a fizzy, flavourful beverage that aligns with the red-toned aesthetic common to the season. Preparation takes under five minutes, making it quite hassle-free to make.
Ingredients
- 2 pints (approx. 1.1 litres) raspberry sherbet
- ½ gallon (approx. 1.9 litres) well-chilled cranberry juice (or a blend of cranberry and pomegranate juices)
- 1 × 2-litre bottle well-chilled ginger ale
Directions
- Scoop the raspberry sherbet into a large punch bowl or equivalent serving vessel.
- Pour in the chilled cranberry (or cranberry/pomegranate) juice and the chilled ginger ale.
- Stir gently to combine, ensuring the sherbet remains partially afloat and the fizz is preserved.
- Serve immediately while the sherbet is still semi-solid and the beverage cold.
Conclusion
Non-alcoholic beverages deserve just as much attention as their alcoholic counterparts during holiday gatherings, and preparing several options ensures hosts can elevate the festive experience for every guest. The recipes above serve as an excellent starting point and demonstrate that thoughtful, alcohol-free refreshments can be every bit as enjoyable and memorable.
This festive season, elevate your holiday gatherings with drinks made from the purest water. Wells’ innovative purifiers make preparing your Christmas cocktails, mocktails, and warm holiday brews simple and worry-free. Discover how Wells can bring clarity, taste, and sophistication to your celebrations.


