The best mocktails for pregnant women are made with fresh fruit, juice, sparkling water and herbs such as mint or basil. Think of a virgin mojito, an alcohol-free piña colada, a strawberry fizz or a sangria without wine. They are festive, easy to make and contain no alcohol. However, keep three things in mind: no raw egg in your glass, no fennel, anise or cinnamon tea as a base and not too much caffeine. Below you will find eight recipes that we love to serve, an overview of what to avoid and tips on how to make them look beautiful.
In short
- Being pregnant means no alcohol: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explicitly lists alcohol as something you should not consume during pregnancy.
- Also avoid raw egg (for example in a sour with egg white), as well as fennel tea, anise tea and cinnamon tea. Keep caffeine under 200 mg per day.
- Great choices: virgin mojito, apple mojito, alcohol-free piña colada, sangria without wine, virgin sex on the beach, strawberry fizz, cucumber-dill spritz and a Pink Lady.
- Presentation makes the difference: with a beautiful glass, plenty of ice and a fresh garnish, a mocktail feels just as festive as a cocktail.
- No desire to mix? Ready-made mocktails can be poured immediately, so you can simply enjoy them at your own party.
Table of contents
- What makes a mocktail suitable when you are pregnant
- The 8 best mocktails for during your pregnancy
- How to make a mocktail just as festive as a cocktail
- 0.0-wine, alcohol-free beer and alcohol-free spirits
- Mix yourself or pour ready-made?
- How we see it
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
What makes a mocktail suitable when you are pregnant
A mocktail is simply a cocktail without alcohol. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, mocktails based on water, coffee or tea can even fit within the Dutch food guide. However, a drink without alcohol is not automatically suitable during your pregnancy. On its page about eating during pregnancy, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that it is not just about alcohol: foodborne infections, caffeine and certain herbs and teas also deserve attention.
For a mocktail, this comes down to a few clear points to consider:
| Ingredient | During pregnancy | Why or alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol, even a shot | Avoid | Choose juice, sparkling water, ginger ale or alcohol-free mixers |
| Raw egg white (sours, flips) | Avoid | Use aquafaba for foam or omit it |
| Fennel, anise and cinnamon tea | Do not use as a base | Choose rooibos or a fruit tea without these herbs, for example |
| Black tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks | In moderation | Caffeine counts towards your maximum of 200 mg per day |
| Fresh fruit and herbs | Fine | Wash them well, especially if they float in your glass |
| Juice, sparkling water, syrup | Fine | Pay attention to the amount of sugar if you drink several |
If you have doubts about a particular ingredient, such as quinine in tonic, a herbal extract in an alcohol-free spirit or a syrup you do not know what is in, then discuss it with your midwife or GP. If you have gestational diabetes, discuss sweet drinks with your midwife or dietitian first before putting a pitcher of sangria on the table.
The 8 best mocktails for during your pregnancy
We chose these eight because they really taste like something, you can easily make them with things from the supermarket and they do not contain any of the ingredients from the list above. All quantities are for one glass, unless otherwise stated.
1. Virgin mojito: fresh, green and always good
The classic among mocktails. Put a handful of mint leaves, a few slices of cucumber and optionally a teaspoon of cane sugar in a tall glass. Squeeze half a lime over it and gently muddle everything with a muddler, so the mint releases its aroma without the leaves breaking. Pour sparkling water or Sprite over it, stir and top up with ice. This is approximately the alcohol-free mojito from 24Baby. It works because the cucumber makes the lime a little milder.
Tip: if you want less sugar, leave out the cane sugar and choose sparkling water instead of soda. In our article about sugar-free cocktails you will find more ways to replace sweetness with freshness.
2. Apple mojito: the easiest variant
For those who want the mojito a little rounder and sweeter. Ouders van Nu describes a simple apple mojito with 80 ml apple juice, 40 ml sparkling mineral water, the juice of half a lime, ice and optionally some sugar. Finish it with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. Preferably take cloudy apple juice: it gives more flavor and looks nicer in the glass.
3. Alcohol-free piña colada: holiday in a glass
Pineapple juice and coconut milk form the entire base. Blend approximately 90 ml pineapple juice with 60 ml coconut milk, a dash of lime juice and a handful of ice until it is creamy. If you want it fuller, use coconut cream. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or a cherry. Without rum, the pineapple can easily come forward a bit more: blend a few pieces of fresh pineapple with it and you will immediately taste the difference.
More variations, also with frozen fruit, are in our guide making piña colada. If you order a ready-made piña colada, always check that it is the alcohol-free version: the classic contains rum.
4. Sangria without wine: ideal for a large pitcher
For a birthday or baby shower, a pitcher of sangria is convenient: you make it beforehand and everyone pours themselves. 24Baby mixes cranberry juice, grape juice and cooled black tea with pieces of fruit. The tea gives the tart edge that you normally get from red wine. Note: black tea contains caffeine. So keep it to one or two glasses, or take rooibos if you have already had coffee that day.
For a pitcher of approximately 1.5 liters, you use for example 500 ml cranberry juice, 500 ml red grape juice, 400 ml cooled tea and a sliced orange, an apple and some blueberries. Put the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least an hour, so the fruit can give off its flavor. Only add a dash of sparkling water just before serving.
5. Virgin sex on the beach: summer without vodka
Colorful and sweet, and children also like it. The virgin sex on the beach from 24Baby combines orange juice, cranberry juice and peach juice with a little grenadine, ice and fruit as garnish. First pour the juices over the ice and let the grenadine trickle down the side last. This gives you that beautiful sunset from red to orange. Approximately 60 ml orange juice, 60 ml cranberry juice and 30 ml peach juice with a teaspoon of grenadine is a good starting point.
6. Strawberry fizz: fruity with a spicy kick
WIJ makes a Strawberry Fizz with strawberry puree, sugar syrup, lime juice, ice, sparkling water and fresh mint and basil. Puree a handful of strawberries and put two tablespoons of puree with a dash of lime juice and a little syrup in a glass. Add ice and top up with sparkling water. The basil makes the difference: it gives a slightly peppery freshness that you do not expect. Fancy more fresh fruit ideas, also for during the day? Then take a look at these smoothies and fresh fruit drinks for inspiration with strawberry, berries and other soft fruit.
7. Cucumber-dill spritz: for those who do not like sweet
A surprising, savory mocktail. WIJ gives a recipe for two people with lime, lime juice, agave syrup, cucumber, dill and sparkling mineral water. Cut half a cucumber into ribbons and muddle some dill with lime juice and a teaspoon of agave syrup. Add ice and the cucumber and top up with sparkling water. It tastes like a summer spritz and pairs well with snacks with fish or cheese.
8. Pink Lady: citrus with a bitter edge
Ouders van Nu makes an alcohol-free Pink Lady with 100 ml orange juice, 60 ml grapefruit juice, 10 ml lemon juice and 20 ml lime juice. Shake everything briefly with ice and pour into a coupe glass. Because of the grapefruit, it is less sweet than most mocktails, and that makes it a great aperitif. If you use medication, then ask your pharmacist if grapefruit goes with it.
How to make a mocktail just as festive as a cocktail
The difference between a glass of juice and a mocktail is often in the presentation. If you are pregnant, you do not want to be the only one at a party with a boring glass of cola. A few things help immediately:
- Choose the right glass. A tall longdrink glass for the mojito, a coupe for the Pink Lady, a large wine glass for the sangria. The same glass as the other guests feels less like an exception.
- Use plenty of ice. A glass full of ice stays cold longer and dilutes less than a glass with three loose cubes. Try freezing mint, raspberries or edible flowers in your ice cubes.
- Ensure contrast in your garnish. A green sprig of mint on a red drink, a lemon wedge on an orange drink. Foodies call fresh fruit and herbs or spices as building blocks of a good mocktail, besides juice, soda and syrup.
- Make a rim. A sugar rim on a coupe or a rim of lime salt on a mojito finishes it off. How to prepare that quickly, you read in making salt and sugar rims.
- Vary with bubbles. Sparkling water, ginger ale and tonic each give a different character. Ginger ale gives warmth, sparkling water keeps it fresh.
Organizing something yourself with multiple pregnant or non-drinking guests, for example a lunch or a meeting at work? Then plan generously. This guide about alcohol-free drinks for meetings helps you estimate how much you need per person and which variation guests appreciate.
0.0-wine, alcohol-free beer and alcohol-free spirits
More and more pregnant women choose a 0.0 variant of their favorite drink. However, a mocktail based on juice and sparkling water remains the safest choice. The advice of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre is clear: no alcohol during pregnancy. And not every product that is sold as alcohol-free or low in alcohol is also really completely free of alcohol.
What to pay attention to with 0.0 drinks:
- Read the label. Look at the exact alcohol percentage. Low in alcohol is different from 0.0.
- Look at the herbs. Alcohol-free gins and aperitifs are often made with all kinds of herbs and botanicals. If fennel, anise or a lot of cinnamon are among them, then discuss it with your midwife.
- Pay attention to caffeine. Some alcohol-free aperitifs and energy mixers contain guarana or tea extract.
- If in doubt: leave it. From a homemade mocktail you know exactly what is in it.
Are you wondering how it is with one particular brand or with a 0.0 beer at a party? Then discuss it with your midwife.
Mix yourself or pour ready-made?
Mixing yourself is fun for a glass or two. But at your own baby shower, gender reveal or birthday you would rather not spend the whole evening squeezing limes. Then ready-made is a lifesaver: open, pour over ice, garnish and ready.
At Cocktails by Nina we make bar-quality mocktails with premium ingredients, ready to serve immediately. Combine them with our glassware, then everyone, pregnant or not, has a beautiful glass in hand. In the Netherlands we ship free from €75, in Belgium from €100, and in Amsterdam you can also pick up your order directly. For larger parties and corporate events we think along about customization and catering.
Organizing a reveal? In our article about mocktails for your gender reveal you read how to choose 2 to 4 drinks and when ready-made or mixing yourself is more convenient. If you are also pouring for guests who do drink, then our mix of cocktails and mocktails helps you put together a menu.
How we see it
We see it at almost every party for which people order from us: the guests who do not drink, are too often forgotten. There is a bottle of cola on the table, maybe some juice, and that is it. If you are pregnant, you drink no alcohol for nine months on every birthday, wedding and drink. Then such a table quickly feels like second choice.
We believe that a mocktail deserves the same attention as a cocktail. The same balance of sweet, sour and fresh, the same beautiful glass, the same garnish. That is why our mocktails are not an afterthought: we make them with the same premium ingredients as the rest of our range.
Our practical advice to anyone hosting a party: do not put the mocktails at the back of the table. Pour them in the same glass as the cocktails and give them their own name on the menu. Then no one has to explain why they are not drinking, and a pregnant guest can simply join in without it being noticeable. That way, the party feels like a party for everyone.
— Ruud
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink a non-alcoholic mojito when you are pregnant?
Yes. A virgin mojito with mint, lime, cucumber, sparkling water and ice contains no alcohol and no ingredients that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against during pregnancy. Just pay attention to the sugar if you drink several. If you order it in a bar, be sure to ask for a version without rum.
Is 0.0 wine safe during pregnancy?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against alcohol during pregnancy. Not every product sold as alcohol-free is completely free of alcohol, so read the label carefully. If in doubt, discuss it with your midwife or choose a mocktail based on juice and sparkling water.
Which herbs should you avoid in mocktails when you are pregnant?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against fennel tea, anise tea and cinnamon tea during pregnancy. So do not use them as a base for a mocktail. Mint, basil and dill are common garnishes and flavourings in mocktail recipes for pregnant women.
How much caffeine can be in a mocktail?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises a maximum of 200 mg of caffeine per day during pregnancy. Mocktails with black tea, coffee or cola count towards this, just like your cup of coffee at breakfast. If you have already had caffeine that day, make the sangria with rooibos.
Sources
- Netherlands Nutrition Centre: What can I eat and what should I avoid during my pregnancy?
- Netherlands Nutrition Centre: Making mocktails
- 24Baby: Mocktails, 8 festive and alcohol-free drinks
- Ouders van Nu: Mocktails, 8 refreshing alcohol-free drinks
- WIJ: Pregnant? 4x delicious mocktails
- Foodies: Making mocktails
