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7 No & Low-Alcohol Holiday Recipes

If you're looking for festive drinks to serve at your next holiday gathering (or sip in your PJs while watching the fire crackle and the kids argue) I've got you covered with six of my favorite holiday drink recipes, from 0-5% ABV.


I do recommend trying a festive non-alcoholic spirit for your drinks this season to add depth and complexity to your low-ABV or zero-proof cocktails. The first spirit that comes to mind for me this time of year is always bourbon, so that is the inspiration behind each recipe (without the consequences the next day). The base in each drink here is Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Bourbon, a new formula which was just released and absolutely delicious. This is one of my favorite bourbon replacements (you can read my full review of all the whiskies/bourbons I tried here), and it works beautifully in mocktail and low-alcohol recipes. You can use code "SoberishMom" to purchase direct for $28 or it's $34 on Amazon*.


A big misconception about non-alcoholic spirits is that they're just for people who don't drink. In reality, they are a mindful drinker's best friend. They work extremely well combined with alcoholic counterparts to create classic cocktails at a much lower ABV, such as a 5% Whiskey Sour or "Halfsies" Manhattan .

5 Festive Holiday Drinks Recipes

Pomegranate Bourbon Mocktail

  • 2 oz pomegranate juice

  • 2 oz NA bourbon

  • 3 dashes NA bitters

  • 2 oz ginger beer 

  • Squeeze of lime

  • Optional garnish: edible glitter and whole cranberries 

In a cocktail shaker combine the first three ingredients with ice. Shake until chilled, pour into a coupe and top with ginger beer and lime. Garnish with whole cranberries and a sprinkle of edible glitter.

Picture of Pomegranate Bourbon Mocktail

"Halfsies" Manhattan

  • 2.5 oz NA Bourbon

  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth

  • 3 dashes bitters

  • Garnish: lemon twist and/or Luxardo cherry

In a cocktail shaker combine first three ingredients with ice. Gently shake or stir to combine, you don't need to annihilate it. Serve on fresh rocks or straight up with your garnish choice. 4.5% ABV.


Hot Not-Toddy Mocktail

  • 2 oz NA Bourbon

  • 1 TB Honey

  • .75 oz fresh lemon juice

  • 6-8 oz hot water

  • Optional garnishes: Star anise, whole cloves, cinnamon stick, lemon slice.

Add honey, lemon and n/a bourbon to a mug. Add hot water and stir until honey dissolves. Garnish with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick. Sip while wrapped in a cozy blanket watching a Hallmark movie.


0% Batched Fall Buck - Serves 4

  • 1 cup NA Bourbon

  • ¼ C cinnamon-clove syrup

  • ½ C cranberry juice

  • ¼ C fresh lime juice

  • 1 C ginger beer 

  • Optional garnish: Fresh cranberries and mint (optional)

In a pitcher, combine the first four ingredients, stir well and can keep in the fridge until ready to serve. Pour into a glass filled with ice, top with ginger beer, garnish with fresh cranberries or lime slices.

Holiday drinks

Big Batch Cider-Bourbon Mocktail

  • 2.5 C apple cider

  • 1/4 C maple syrup

  • 1 inch fresh ginger

  • 3 cinnamon tea bags

  • 1 C NA Bourbon 

  • 1/4 C lemon juice

Add cider and syrup to a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Add tea bags and ginger and let stand for 10min. Remove tea bags and ginger, add bourbon and lemon for a warm drink. Or you can let it chill and serve on ice. 


Low-ABV Whiskey Sour

  • 2 oz NA Bourbon

  • .75 oz bourbon

  • .75 oz lemon

  • .5 oz simple syrup

  • 1 medium egg white

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and dry shake for 15 secs. Add one large ice cube and shake for another 15 secs. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist and/or star anise. 5% ABV. 

Low-ABV Manhattan

Low-Alcohol Maple Bourbon Smash

  • .5 oz maple syrup

  • .5 oz OJ

  • .5 oz lemon juice

  • 3-4 dashes bitters

  • 1 slice of orange 

  • .75 oz bourbon

  • 1.5 oz NA bourbon

  • 1.5 oz club soda

In a rocks glass, combine the first five ingredients, and gently muddle the orange slice in. Add the bourbons, fill the glass with ice and top with soda. Stir and enjoy! 5% ABV


Happy holidays!

*Please note that this post includes affiliate links at Amazon, which means at zero cost to you I will make a couple bucks if you use my code at checkout, which helps me keep the account running. Affiliate programs do not impact my reviews and recommendations.

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