Alcohol-free cocktails and mocktails on your menu

More and more guests are consciously drinking less or no alcohol at all, and expect more than a glass of cola or orangeade. A well put together mocktail range feels just as considered to them as the regular drinks package, and brings you as a caterer a margin you shouldn't underestimate. In this article we show what a mocktail actually is and how to add it to your range, without it becoming a separate cost.

What is a mocktail?

A mocktail is an alcohol-free drink made the same way as a cocktail: with syrups, fresh fruit, herbs and sometimes several preparation steps, rather than simply pouring a soft drink into a glass. The difference from an ordinary glass of cola or orangeade lies in the composition and the presentation. A mocktail is shaken, muddled or layered, and served with the same attention to glassware and garnish as an alcoholic cocktail. For a guest who isn't drinking, that feels like a proper choice rather than a consolation prize.

Why demand for mocktails is growing

Not drinking, or drinking less, is no longer the exception at a party or work event. Designated drivers, guests who are cutting back and people who simply don't like alcohol all want something better than the standard choice between water and soft drinks. If you don't have an answer for that as a caterer, you're leaving those guests on the sidelines, in a part of the drinks package where you can actually earn good money.

Putting together mocktails with a good margin

A mocktail doesn't have to be expensive to look well put together. Work with a small, fixed base of syrups, fresh herbs and fruit that you're already buying for other dishes, rather than sourcing separate expensive ingredients for every mocktail. Cost it just as carefully as your other drinks: see also putting together drinks packages for how to approach that across your whole drinks range, including the choice between a fixed amount per person and billing afterwards.

Presentation: just as important as taste

Guests who deliberately don't drink alcohol don't want to feel like they're getting a consolation prize. Serve mocktails in the same glassware as the regular cocktails, with the same attention to garnish. A few well-developed recipes that your team can make flawlessly work better than a long menu with inconsistent quality.

Working mocktails into your drinks package

Include mocktails as standard, as a full option in your drinks package, rather than as a separate extra to order. That way it becomes part of the normal pricing instead of a separate negotiation, and guests don't have to ask specially to get something alcohol-free.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a mocktail and an ordinary soft drink?

A mocktail is made just like a cocktail, with syrups, fresh fruit and herbs, and served with the same presentation as an alcoholic cocktail. A soft drink is simply a ready-made drink from a bottle or can, without that preparation.

Are mocktails cheaper to make than cocktails?

Often yes, because you're not buying expensive spirits, but that doesn't mean you should charge less for them. Ingredient quality and preparation time set the price just as much as with an ordinary cocktail.

How many mocktails should I offer at minimum?

Two or three well-developed recipes are often enough. A small, consistent menu works better than a long list your team cannot all make equally well.

Do I charge for mocktails separately?

You can, but it usually works better to include them as standard in the drinks package, so it isn't a separate add-on that guests have to think to ask for.

Do I need special equipment to make mocktails?

Usually not. A shaker, a good stock of syrups and fresh fruit are enough for most recipes, the same basics you probably already use for regular cocktails.

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