The 5 best non-alcoholic cocktail recipes for summer – Refreshing, versatile and perfect for every occasion

As temperatures rise, the desire for refreshing drinks grows – but it doesn't always have to involve alcohol. These recipes are for anyone who wants to enjoy summer to the fullest, focusing on enjoyment, style, and taste.
Whether it's a family celebration, a barbecue evening or a relaxing afternoon on the balcony – it doesn't always have to be cocktails with alcohol – because non-alcoholic cocktails are always a good choice.

We'll show you five versatile summer drinks that are guaranteed to add variety. From fruity and sweet to tangy and aromatic – there's something for everyone. And the best part: All recipes feature high-quality non-alcoholic drinks from POLLY, whose flavor lends each cocktail an authentic taste.

What does alcohol-free actually mean?

We'd like to briefly clarify the most important questions. In everyday life, we often use the term "alcohol-free" synonymously with "no alcohol at all" or "0.0%." However, according to German Food Law, a beverage may contain up to 0.5% alcohol by volume and is therefore considered alcohol-free. This, of course, means that these terms can be confusing, and "alcohol-free" is not always synonymous with 0.0%.

For products with 0.0% alcohol content, a residual amount of 0.03% vol alcohol is permitted by law.

What does this mean for you when you enjoy it and for us in the production process?

At POLLY, we focus on alcohol-free production for our non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs, using high-quality distillates to achieve the best possible taste. These are gently distilled in a vacuum using a complex process. This is noticeable in the taste and unique intensity of our spirit alternatives.

However, since we don't enjoy our drinks neat, but rather aim to achieve the best possible taste with simple long drinks and aperitifs, as well as more complex cocktails, the drinks ultimately contain considerably less alcohol by volume.

This means the finished drinks contain less alcohol than the alcohol produced during natural fermentation processes in a ripe banana, apple or grape juice, sourdough bread, or other baked goods. And these are just a few examples of products that, according to German Food Law, only have to be labeled as containing alcohol if they contain at least 1.2% alcohol. So, much of what we consume every day is alcohol-free, but not entirely alcohol-free.

So there are small, very subtle differences in the definitions of "alcohol-free" and "alcohol-free." We hope that next time the question arises, you'll be aware of them and be able to make an informed decision.

From easy to complex: something for everyone

Now let's get to our 5 summer drinks, our 5 favorites that cover every event and situation. While some recipes can be prepared in less than 5 minutes, others require a little more dedication – but they're worth all the effort, because the focus is on enjoyment and refreshment.

Beginners can try the alcohol-free Sex on the Beach, while more experienced and daring drinkers can, of course, start directly with the Frozen Italian Spritz. And as always, you can drink it without a guilty conscience—who needs a headache the next day?

Raspberry Punch Cocktail (non-alcoholic):

Fruity, sparkling, fresh. One of the easiest and, if you ask us, one of the best non-alcoholic cocktail recipes. We'll show you the non-alcoholic version of the Raspberry Punch. Our London Classic, POLLY's non-alcoholic gin alternative, is perfect for this, with flavors ranging from juniper to cucumber to ginger.

Ingredients for 1 glass:

• 4 cl POLLY London Classic
• 100 ml sparkling water
• 50 ml raspberry juice
• 2 tsp lemon juice (about half a lemon)
• 50 g raspberries
• mint
• ice cubes

One cl is approximately equal to 2 tsp or 1 tbsp

Step 1: Place the raspberries in the jar and crush them lightly with a spoon or pestle.

Step 2: Fill glasses with ice cubes.

Step 3: Add the lemon juice of half a lemon (about 2 tsp) and 4 cl London Classic and top up with raspberry juice and mineral water.

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The non-alcoholic cocktail – Ginger Basil Smash:

Classically mixed with gin, now alcohol-free with ginger beer - for the full flavor! You might expect this to be an alternative to a gin and tonic – but today we want to focus on mocktails that showcase our non-alcoholic gin alternative in a different way. This drink isn't difficult to prepare, but you will need a shaker. Furthermore, the Ginger Basil Smash is the only mocktail in our top 5 that requires syrup. You can easily make it yourself or buy it at any supermarket. It's an important basic for many cocktails.

Ingredients for 1 glass:

• 4 cl POLLY London Classic
• 50 ml ginger beer
• 2 tbsp sugar syrup
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half a lemon)
• basil
• ice cubes

One cl is approximately equal to 2 tsp or 1 tbsp

Preparation:

Step 1: Pick individual basil leaves, place them in a shaker with the sugar syrup, and mash them finely with a muddler. This allows the basil's aromas to develop best.

Step 2: Add the lemon juice, Add POLLY London Classic and ice cubes.

Step 3: Shake vigorously and pour into glasses filled with ice cubes through a sieve.

Step 4: Finally, top up with ginger beer and a little basil on the rim of the glass – your mocktail is ready!

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Virgin Sex on the Beach – alcohol-free, fruity and full of power 🍑:

Now it's getting fruity! Peach and cranberry meets our POLLY Italian Aperitif . This turns the otherwise boring and sweet juice mixture with a slightly bitter note into a true cocktail classic that you won't get enough of – at least that's how it is with us. Our POLLY Italian Aperitif replaces orange juice, clearly adding a touch of flavor. It's the easiest drink to make without sacrificing delicious cocktails, making it ideal for your next party.

Ingredients for 1 glass:

• 4 cl POLLY Italian Aperitif
• 100 ml cranberry juice
• 50 ml peach nectar
• Cranberries
• grapefruit
• mineral water
• ice cubes

Preparation:

Step 1: First, mix together the peach nectar, cranberry juice and our Italian aperitif .

Step 2: Pour into a glass chilled with ice.

Step 3: Then fill with mineral water.

Step 4: Slice the cranberries and a piece of peach or grenadine and add to the garnish and enjoy.

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Ipanema – non-alcoholic Caipi:

Fancy a Caipirinha – but without alcohol? Called the Ipanema, it's a classic non-alcoholic cocktail: Try our version of the Ipanema recipe with ginger ale.

The Ipanema is a refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail that's usually prepared without any non-alcoholic alternative. We wanted to ditch the sweetness and go a little closer to the flavor of a Caipirinha. So we incorporated our POLLY Mexican Classic or, alternatively, our POLLY London Classic into the Ipanema recipe. Unfortunately, we don't yet offer a Cacaca alternative. But feel free to let us know in the comments if you have product ideas or simply questions about our existing range.

Recipes for the Ipanema are often offered as an alternative to the Mojito. Yes, you need limes for both drinks, but we'll explain the exact difference between a Mojito and a Caipirinha in another article soon. Until then, you can find the recipe for our Nojito here!

But now to Ipanema – before the ice melts:

Ingredients for 1 glass:

• 4 cl POLLY Mexican Classic or 4 cl POLLY London Classic
• 1 lime (diced)
• 1-2 tsp cane sugar
• 50 ml passion fruit nectar
• 150 ml ginger ale
• Mint leaves
• Crushed ice

Preparation:

Step 1: Cut the lime into small pieces.

Step 2: Pour into a glass with the cane sugar and mint.

Step 3: Then lightly crush the whole thing so that the aromas can develop.

Step 4: Add the ice cubes and stir in our Mexican Classic or London Classic , passion fruit juice, and ginger ale. Enjoy! Garnish with mint leaves for a beautiful finish!

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Frozen Italian Spritz 🍊🍋:

It's getting hot in here! Here's the perfect way to cool down on those hot summer days. A classic aperitif – here as a non-alcoholic frozen version – simple, tasty, and exceptionally refreshing. You simply mix all the ingredients in a blender, and the enjoyment begins. For this cocktail, we doubled the ingredients. This keeps the effort to a minimum, and the result is two mixed drinks.

Ingredients for 2 glasses:

• 4 cl POLLY Italian Aperitif
• 100 ml POLLY Sparkling Blanc
• 100 ml sparkling water
• 2-4 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (about half an orange
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half a lemon)
• ice cubes

One cl is approximately equal to 2 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon.

Preparation:

Step 1: Cut a large slice of each orange and lemon and squeeze the juice out of at least half of each fruit.

Step 2: Add all other ingredients, except the ice cubes, to a blender and combine on a low speed.

Step 3: Add the ice cubes and mix on high until smooth.

Step 4: Pour the mixture into a glass and garnish with a slice of orange and lemon – CHEERS TO SUMMER!

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Discover more: Inspiration & other recipes and non-alcoholic spirits from POLLY

Visit POLLY's extensive recipe world – there you'll find many more non-alcoholic cocktail ideas and in-depth articles, for example, we raise awareness about calories and sugar in our non-alcoholic drinks or the non-alcoholic Italian Spritz . We also provide you with regular updates on our drinks and new recipes on our Instagram . Alcohol-free, of course!

Conclusion

Five summer drinks, five different characters – but they all have one thing in common: They make summer a stylish, alcohol-free experience. With the POLLY alternatives, you get both flavor and experience – feel free to stop by the shop and we'll provide you with the basics for your next refreshment.

Have fun preparing and enjoying. ☀️ 🍹🤩