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Made with fresh juices, soda water, and a splash of grenadine, this mocktail for kids is a fruity, sparkling non-alcoholic drink that's low on added sugar. Perfect for serving during the holidays, for birthday parties, or just to celebrate a Friday night.
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A fun drink is a fun drink, no matter your age. Even at 6 years old, my kiddo was looking from her cup of apple juice over to my garnished cocktail glass and asking “why can’t I have a fancy drink?”
We tried famous mocktail recipes like a Shirley Temple drink, but they didn't get rave reviews from my kid. We tried mocktail drinks made with cranberry juice or white grape juice or grapefruit juice or a squeeze of lime juice - none of it was what she wanted.
I stayed away from cotton candy and other additions that would drive up the sugar intake, opting for sparkling water or club soda instead.
Cocktails for Kids
Creating fun cocktail for kids recipe made with simple ingredients, that could be found in most grocery stores, became a game for us.
This simple kid-friendly cocktail recipe was a collaborative, mother-daughter effort. I often serve it alongside her after school snack when we’re celebrating a really great day, or the weekend, or a classroom accomplishment.
Festive mocktails are the perfect party drink for the whole family. They're great for special occasions (like toasting on new year’s eve), a birthday party, a baby shower, or any time you need an easy mocktail recipe. Who doesn't want special drinks on a special day?!
What's in a Mocktail for Kids
- Pineapple juice - Choose 100% pineapple juice, not a juice blend.
- Fresh orange - Choose a fresh orange for this drink. You'll need about half an orange for the recipe and can use a slice from the remaining half for garnish.
- Grenadine syrup - This super sweet, red syrup is what gives this drink it's sweetness and layered effect. Look for it in the liquor/mixer section of your grocery store (even though it's non-alcoholic).
- Sparkling water or club soda - Plain flavored, fizzy water of your choice. Club soda has a bit more carbonation and hold its fizz for longer, but choose whatever you have readily available.
How to Make a Mocktail for Kids
Combine pineapple juice and the juice from half an orange in a glass.
Fill the glass with ice.
Slowly pour grenadine down the inside of the glass so it settles at the bottom.
Top with sparkling water.
Garnish with fresh fruit such as orange slices or pineapple slices, add a fun straw, and present with instructions to stir the drink well before sipping.
The cocktail will change from yellow to orange as the grenadine is mixed in, something my kiddo thinks is SO cool.
Don't forget to stir your mocktail before sipping!
Grenadine sinks to the bottom of the glass because it contains a LOT of sugar and is therefore a heavier liquid than the juices. If your kiddo doesn’t mix up their mocktail before sipping with a straw, a mouthful of super sweet cherry syrup will come their way. Make sure they stir!!
Looking for More Mocktails for Kids?
Need some other ideas for mocktails the kids in your life will enjoy? My daughter LOVES my tropical piña colada mocktail, and these grape mocktails may have been designed for Halloween time, but they're delicious any time of year!
We also love making color-changing Unicorn Lemonade or these citrusy Blue Lagoon Mocktails.
How to Garnish this Mocktail for Kids
To really take this mocktail for kids over the top, dress it up with some garnish! Maraschino cherries, slices of orange, or a wedge of fresh pineapple are all great options.
Grab the fun glasses and straws for this drink! My kiddo loves hers in a rocks glass or one of the small wine glasses my husband and I got from a tasting room stop.
What to Serve with Kid-Friendly Mocktails
I love serving a sip and a snack, so for this mocktail for kids, my go-tos are kid-friendly foods like cinnamon sugar Snickerdoodle popcorn or these baked homemade potato chips.
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Simple and Easy Mocktail for Kids
Ingredients
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 teaspoon grenadine syrup
- 1-2 oz sparkling water
Instructions
- Combine pineapple juice and orange juice in a glass.3 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz orange juice
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Slowly pour grenadine down the inside of the glass so it settles at the bottom.1 teaspoon grenadine syrup
- Top with 1-2 oz sparkling water.1-2 oz sparkling water
- Garnish with fresh fruit such as orange slices or pineapple slices, add a fun straw, and present with instructions to stir the drink well before sipping.
Kimberlee says
We made these for my daughter's 6th birthday dinner. I used flavored sparkling water, because I had it on hand, and used strawberries and blood oranges as garnish because I also had them on hand. My daughter felt so fancy for her birthday, and everyone (kids and adults) loved them. I will definitely make these again!
Katy McAvoy says
I love this so much! So glad everyone enjoyed them! 🙂