Celebrate Spring: The Best Alcohol-Free April Drinks

You’ve heard of Dry January, Feb Fast, Dry July, and Sober October – but what if you ditch the trends and try an alcohol-free April instead? April is a perfect time to embrace living alcohol-free. The holiday hubbub has died down with no major celebrations on the horizon for a bit. It also happens to be Alcohol Awareness Month so it’s a perfect time to take the challenge and see what life with less alcohol in it can be like. Now that doesn’t mean you need to say sayonara to celebrating with fun and fancy drinks. Au contraire my friend, you’re about to live it up in a whole new way this month with our collection of the best Alcohol-Free April Drinks!

While April may not hold any major celebrations this calendar year, it still gives you many opportunities to raise a glass in a whole new fashion! From Florida Tomato Month and National Caramel Day to World Malbec Day and National Bubble Tea Day, these non-alcoholic drink recipes bring on the fun and festivities you crave while staying clear of the booze you’ve given the boot to!

For even more inspiration and support on your alcohol-free journey, check out the This Naked Mind Companion App. It’s packed with resources, recipes, and a supportive community to help you thrive. Now, let’s start mixing up some awesome alcohol-free April drinks!

Alcohol-Free April Drinks

Spicy Tomato Fizz

Most people think fruity and sickeningly sweet when it comes to mocktails! It doesn’t have to be that way! You can enjoy some refreshing non-alcoholic spring beverages that are savory, not sweet! This Spicy Tomato Fizz is an excellent example of just that! The kick of the jalapeno provides a spicy punch while the vegetable broth brings the salt and the savory elements. Rethink what it means to drink with this refreshing mocktail choice!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or canned diced tomatoes (strained if canned)
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced (adjust for desired spice)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• Club soda or sparkling water

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine tomatoes, jalapeno, lime juice, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
2. Strain the mixture into glasses filled with ice.
3. Top with club soda or sparkling water.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprinkle of black pepper.

Food Pairings:

• Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
• Grown Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches using Gouda or another favorite cheese
• Side or Greek salads to tame down the spice and acidity of the drink

Tips:

• Fizz: If you find the club soda or sparkling water isn’t fizzy enough, try adding a teaspoon of baking soda (for a savory drink) or a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice (for a citrusy twist) before topping with the club soda.
• Spice: For a different kind of spice, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, a few dashes of hot sauce, or a muddled chipotle pepper.
• Acidity: If you don’t have fresh lime juice, you could use lemon juice or a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Hops and Grain Buzzless Brew

National Beer Day happens to fall on April 7th. Taking part in an Alcohol-free April doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a beer. While there are many excellent 0% beers, non-alcoholic IPA’s, and alcohol-free craft beers commercially available, you can also make your own buzzless brew at home!

This Hops and Grain concoction mimics the flavors of your favorite beers without the buzz, hangover, and beer goggles that usually accompany a few brewskis. Crush it in a whole new way with a This Naked Mind favorite!

Ingredients:

• Non-alcoholic hop water
• Barley tea (to mimic the grain flavor, gluten-free options are also available)
• Lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Brew a strong barley tea and let it cool.
2. Mix equal parts of barley tea and non-alcoholic hop water.
3. Add a twist of lemon zest for a refreshing finish.
4. Serve chilled.

Food Pairings:

• Caprese Salad
• Grilled Halloumi Cheese with Roasted Vegetables
• Thai Curry
• Lemon Bars

Tips:

• Citrusy Burst: For a more pronounced citrus flavor, consider adding a squeeze of lime or grapefruit in place of, or in addition to, lemon.
• Sweet Spot: For a natural sweetness, try muddling in some dates, figs, or raisins.
• Create a signature drink station: Set up different bowls with fruits, herbs, spices, and sweeteners. Let your guests mix and match to create their own personalized drink concoctions.

Licorice Lavender Lemonade

Summer is around the corner and that means lemonade season is almost here as well. Get a kick-start on summer and celebrate National Licorice Day as well with our unexpected twist on this traditional citrus refreshment! Licorice Lavender Lemonade is a unique spin on alcohol-free April drinks.

You wouldn’t think that combining the bitterness of licorice would pair well with the tang of lemon, and the floral notes of lavender but as they say – opposites attract! Usher in spring with this new take on lemonade!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute (to taste)
• 2-3 licorice twists (depending on desired intensity)
• 1 sprig of fresh lavender
• Sparkling water, to top

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat water, sugar (or substitute), and licorice twists over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Let cool completely.
2. Strain the licorice syrup into a pitcher, discarding the twists.
3. Add lemon juice, lavender sprig, and water to the pitcher. Stir well.
4. Serve over ice and top with sparkling water.

Food Pairings:

• Vegetable Crudités with a Light Herb Dip
• Goat Cheese Crostini with Fig Jam
• Shortbread Cookies
• Honeycomb Candy

Tips:

• Adjust the Licorice Intensity: If you find the licorice twists overpowering, start with just 1 and add more to taste. You can also substitute with a splash of licorice extract (be very careful, a little goes a long way!).
• Sweetener Options: For a natural sweetness with a touch of floral flavor, try using lavender honey instead of sugar.
• Layered Look: For a beautiful presentation, try layering the lemonade, a splash of grenadine (for a red layer), and top it with sparkling water.
• Infused Ice Cubes: Steep lavender sprigs or lemon slices in water to create beautiful and flavorful ice cubes for your lemonade.

Bubble Tea Bliss

Bubble Tea is one of those drinks that is just fun all the way around – making it, presenting it, and drinking it. It’s like a drink that brings it’s own confetti to the party!

Bubble Tea gets it’s own day of celebration in April and it’s perfect for someone looking to celebrate sans alcohol. The great thing about this drink is that you get to customize it to what you’re in the mood for. Pick your flavor of tea – fruity, spicy, savory, or bold and start brewing your next favorite bev!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Brewed tea (your choice)
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 cup tapioca pearls (sugar-free if needed)
• Sweetener of choice to taste (e.g., sugar, honey, stevia, monk fruit sweetener, etc)
• Ice cubes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tapioca Pearls: Cook the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves boiling them in water for about 20 minutes, then letting them sit in hot water for another 20 minutes before rinsing under cold water.
2. Brew the Tea: Brew 1 cup of your preferred tea and allow it to cool completely. You can place it in the refrigerator to cool faster.
3. Mix: In a large glass, combine the cooled tea and 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. Add sweetener to your liking and stir until fully dissolved.
4. Assemble the Drink: Add the cooked tapioca pearls to a serving glass. If you like your bubble tea with ice, add ice cubes over the pearls. Pour the tea and almond milk mixture over the pearls.
5. Serve: Insert a wide straw (big enough to allow the tapioca pearls to pass through) and enjoy your homemade Bubble Tea Bliss!

Food Pairings:

• Edamame
• Stir-fried Noodles with Vegetables and Peanut Sauce
• Mochi

Tips:

• Fruity Fusion: Instead of plain tea, try brewing fruit-infused teas like mango black tea, peach green tea, or strawberry hibiscus tea.
• Creamy Creation: For a richer taste, use a splash of heavy cream or light coconut cream instead of some of the almond milk.
• Popping Pearls: Swap the tapioca pearls for popping boba, which burst in your mouth with a fruity juice center for a fun textural contrast.

Gin & Tonic Twist

Have you ever felt bummed because you’re convinced there’s just no way you can replicate the tastes of your favorite drinks? By now you should know that much of what we believe just isn’t true. You can mimic most any flavor without needing to muddy the water with booze! Take a look at the explosion of alcohol-free wines, spirits, and other beverages available in the market today for proof positive of that!

Our take on a non-alcoholic gin and tonic doesn’t use any of those options but you’re welcome to make substitutes and play with the flavor combinations to sip on this classic cocktail without the boozy bits! 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup tonic water
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 2-3 slices of cucumber
• Sprig of fresh rosemary, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass filled with ice, add cucumber slices and rosemary sprig.
2. Pour in grapefruit juice and top with chilled tonic water.
3. Give it a gentle stir and enjoy!

Food Pairings:

• Herb-Marinated Feta Cheese with Cherry Tomatoes
• Lemon Posset
• Marcona Almonds

Tips:

• Spicy Surprise: Add a muddled jalapeño slice (seeds removed for less heat) for a touch of spicy warmth that complements the citrus and botanical gin flavors.
• Flavorful Fizz: Instead of regular tonic water, use flavored varieties like elderflower, grapefruit, or cucumber for an extra layer of flavor.
• Spice Up the Rim: Dip the rim of your glass in a mixture of flaked sea salt and chopped fresh rosemary for an extra savory and herbal element.

Cherry Cheesecake Sparkler

Dessert in a drink! Sign me up!! This Cherry Cheesecake Sparkler is indulgent without being overpowering. If you’re fond of the bitter notes in a Sauvignon Blanc – this drink will hit all the right notes!

Tart, creamy, and dare I say it – downright dreamy the Cherry Cheesecake Sparkler packs flavor and tastes like pure luxury on your tongue! Velvety, smooth, and guilt-free – you’ll be shocked at how amazing virgin mocktails can be!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened or tart cherry juice
• 1/4 cup sparkling water
• 1/4 cup club soda
• 1/4 cup Vanilla creamer (sugar-free will also work!)
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker with ice, combine cherry juice, vanilla creamer, and almond extract. Shake well.
2. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Top with equal parts sparkling water and club soda.
4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Food Pairings:

• Grilled Chicken Salad with Candied Pecans and Dried Cherries
• Angel Food Cake with Fresh Berries
• Dried Cranberries and Dark Chocolate

Tips:

• Creamy Dream: For a richer and creamier drink, substitute some of the vanilla creamer with heavy cream or light coconut cream.
• Sweet and Salty Rim: Dip the rim of your glass in a mixture of crushed graham crackers and flaked sea salt for a sweet and salty element that mimics the crust of a cheesecake.

Fizzy Peach Cobbler

Spring has sprung, and with it comes peach season! The days are getting longer, the air is warmer, and there’s nothing quite like the taste of a perfectly ripe peach. But why wait for dessert? We’ve bottled the sunshine and bubbly goodness of spring in our Fizzy Peach Cobbler!

It’s a perfect spring drink, offering a refreshing and healthy option whose effervescence extends beyond the bubbles in the drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sliced peaches (fresh or canned)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened peach nectar
• 1/4 cup sparkling water
• 1/4 cup club soda
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• A few sprigs of fresh mint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Muddle (lightly crush) the peaches in a shaker or glass.
2. Add peach nectar, lemon juice, and mint (if using).
3. Fill the shaker or glass with ice and shake well.
4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
5. Top with equal parts sparkling water and club soda.
6. Garnish with a peach slice and a mint sprig (optional).

Food Pairings:

• Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon
• Peach Salsa and Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
• Seared Salmon with Citrus Salad

Tips:

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a warm and comforting flavor, especially if using canned peaches.
• Sparkling Options: Instead of equal parts sparkling water and club soda, use all sparkling water for a more intense fizz. Alternatively, use flavored sparkling water like peach or pear for an extra layer of flavor.

How Can You Have an Alcohol-Free April?

Could you use some support to get started on the road to sipping these non-alcoholic drink recipes? We have a Fixation to Freedom Challenge beginning April 15 that will start you off on an amazing journey to a new, happier, and healthier you. 

More Ideas For Virgin Cocktails

If you need more alcohol-free April drinks or you’re wondering if NA drinks are even okay to indulge in – we’ve got you covered!

Each month we feature drink ideas to let you indulge without guilt or regrets. They can all be found right here.

Our podcast also tackles the tough questions when it comes to what to drink or how to socialize without drinking. Here are a few of the top episodes on those subjects:

EP 64: Reader Question – Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Are they okay?
EP 198: Reader Question – Alcohol-Free drinks? Are they OK?
EP 88: Reader Question – Social Drinking – How Do I Muster the Willpower Not to Drink?
EP 542: Reader Question – Do you serve wine when you host parties?
EP 438: Reader Question – How do you survive the holidays without alcohol?