Hello today! This is a short list of some of our family’s favorite little “fancy” drink combinations. We use these all the time. I like to throw little parties with pretty drinks. We also sometimes have themed movie nights that need a little dazzle.

I have got a major sweet tooth. Apparently it’s genetic because the kids got it too. Hubs has no interest in sugar but does like to mix it up with flavors. For us these are a good blend of different recipes but if you know of any we should try, please leave the link down below. I would love to test some more options.

A few months ago our family downsized into a bungalow on the windward side so we are now in the smallest kitchen thus far. With the tight space I have had to get a little more creative with organization. Our two blenders and our juicer, didn’t make the cut for items we need in the kitchen. These are no-blender drinks you can make with just your hands, and maybe a themed accessory or two.

🎃 Halloween

I was never very into Halloween as a kid but for some reason, in my adulthood, I have gradually gotten more excited for it. Past decorations and costumes, snacks and drinks for Halloween are honestly my favorite part. So that’s why you’ll sometimes see a longer list for Halloweeny-things. Here are some fun little spooky drink ideas we liked so far.

• Potion: Smash up a couple blackberries at the bottom of your glass. Add some crushed ice and a good dollop of blackberry syrup. Pour in grape juice and stir.
• Cauldron: Mix a splash of lemon juice and a half can of ginger ale, and pour it over a scoop of lime sherbet. I only really add green food coloring for Halloween but it does make the foam more fun.
• Halloween Float: Orange sherbet, orange soda, orange rim sugar on the glass. We also tried a variation where we added a little pineapple juice before the orange soda, yum.
• Ghost Cocoa: Because sometimes you need a hot beverage, too. Melt down white chocolate chips in your choice of milk. Add in vanilla or hazelnut extract in the last minute or so. Top it with all the whipped cream and mini marshmallows your heart desires, and shower iridescent sprinkles over it all. Add some edible eyes on the very top and you’re done.

Halloween is when we really like the cute and gory decor on the drinks as well—my kids get a kick out of it. Think gummy eyeballs, blood rims on the glass, bone-shaped candies, gummy worms, candy corn etc.

🦃 Thanksgiving

I’ve got just one mocktail that we mix up in November. It needs to sit in the fridge for a few hours to chill and mix together nicely. We make this by the pitcher the day before our big dinner, sometimes the morning of.

• Fall Fruit Tea: Wash and chop up one apple and one blood orange and put those large chunks at the bottom of your pitcher. Add the juice of one fresh squeezed lemon and a cup of apple juice. I like to drop in a few cinnamon sticks as well. Fill the pitcher the rest of the way with sweetened tea (we also tried white grape juice here) and then let it sit in the fridge a few hours before serving. Serve over crushed ice, depending on how concentrated you like it. Top with pomegranate seeds to garnish.

Since I don’t really like ice in my drinks I usually skip that for just my cup and instead put in a little ginger beer. I add maybe a half a cup and then pour my tea over it. I’ve always thought lemon-lime soda might be a nice substitution as well, but have not tried it yet.

🎄Christmas

Try not to be too disappointed, fifty percent of these drinks are cold ones. We live in Hawaii, remember? We still enjoy the yummy warm drinks but right now, this is where it’s at for us. Refreshing—but make it Christmas.

• Poinsettia: Pour in two ounces of pomegranate juice with about and ounce each of lime juice and orange juice. Add maple syrup to your liking, this is going to depend on if you use fresh lime or not, just go until you’ve got the sweetness you like. Pour lemon lime soda, ginger ale, or even a seltzer over the mixture. We like to sugar the rim of this one with a little orange juice.
• Cider Punched Up: Combine fresh apple cider (or apple juice), lemon-lime soda, one cinnamon stick a dash of ground cloves, and a tablespoon honey in a saucepan. Boil for five minutes until it’s mixed well. Strain and pour, topping it with two orange slices and a cinnamon stick for garnish.
• White Christmas Cocoa: Same as Ghost Cocoa above, but with a twist. Melt down white chocolate chips in your choice of milk. This time add in peppermint syrup. We still top ours with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles. For Christmas though sometimes I will use red sprinkles or crushed up peppermint on top. We stir and serve it with a candy cane for this one too.
• Sparkler: Technically more of a New Year’s Eve drink, I tend to break this one out in that weird limbo after Christmas. Put a tiny spoonful of your favorite jam (I usually use blackberry for this one) at the bottom of the glass with some edible glitter. Pour sparkling apple cider over it and enjoy. Add in some fruit if you like.

💝 Valentine’s Day

My girl still loves a good pink and red moment. She’s also into fancy looking tablescapes and decorations so we have recently really stepped up our V-day festivities.

I like to include simple little things that add some pop easily. In February I’ll try pink edible glitter or red and white sprinkles on the rim of a glass. There’s always hearts all over everything but we lean into the colors most of all for this holiday.

• Heartbreaker: Smash strawberries at the bottom of your glass, drop in two raspberries and some crushed ice. Add a tablespoon of honey. Finish it off with half lemon lime soda and half lemonade. We like to edible glitter this one too.
• Sour Kiss: Make it pretty with edible glitter and pineapple juice, then add an ounce or two of grapefruit juice, and fill the glass the rest of the way with lemon lime soda.
• Heart Eyes: Mix pineapple juice, cherry grenadine, and lemon line soda with some edible glitter. Garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple.
• Smooches: This one goes in the glass in layers (but first you’ve got to swirl the rim in some honey). Strawberry bits on the bottom, and then layer on pomegranate seeds, and then ice. Pour an ounce of lime juice over everything and then fill the rest of the glass with cranberry juice.
• Pink Swirl: This is a super simple one for the kiddos but it takes prep beforehand. I keep a fruit syrup in the fridge all the time at this point. (Said fruit syrup is just frozen berries cooked down with sugar and a splash of vanilla. We usually use this for fancier pancakes but once in a while a dollop gets thrown into a drink.) Stir your fruit syrup, crushed ice, and lemonade in a glass. Garnish with whatever berries you have on hand.

Honestly we use these drink combinations for mocktails throughout their corresponding month, but that’s just because we like extending the fun wherever we can. Do what works for you. Some of these drink combinations could also be tweaked a little to match a different holiday theme when you’re feeling creative, too.

I hope these festive non-alcoholic drink ideas add a little extra cheer to your holiday gatherings! Whether you’re hosting family, celebrating with friends, or just treating yourself, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Give a few a try, and feel free to get creative by adding your own flavors. If you have a favorite holiday drink combination, I’d love to hear it—share it in the comments and let’s keep the festive inspiration flowing.

Cheers to a joyful and refreshing holiday season!