Find out how to prepare a non-alcoholic drink for Christmas – 16/12/2025 – Food

Soft drinks are no longer considered just juices or flavored waters, even with the English term mocktail, which makes a joke out of it – “mock” means to imitate or mock, and “cocktail” refers to a cocktail. Today, brands are investing in alternatives like beer, wine and gin with this in mind.

Interest in soft drinks also increases in December, Christmas and New Year, with search peaks at the end of the year, according to Google Trends data from the past five years.

This increase reflects a change in behavior, with many people consuming less alcohol and prioritizing health and wellbeing. A Datafolha study, carried out in April 2025, found that 53% of Brazilians who consumed alcoholic beverages in the last year reduced their consumption.

To create a mocktail, mixologist Marcelo Serrano emphasizes the importance of balancing sweet and sour flavors, using ingredients such as sugar, honey or sweeteners, usually lemon.

“Lemon with two fruits is a good combination and tends to produce better results than mixing multiple fruits like pineapple, orange, lemon and strawberry,” says Serrano.

He explains that because the natural sugar content of fruit tends to be higher, lemon helps balance the sweet flavor. The type of lemon can vary and can be traditional, Sicilian or clove.

There are fruits that do not require lemon. “For example, cupuaçu, which is an acidic fruit. Uvaia can also be used without it,” adds Serrano.

He also points out that these most famous drinks, like the Moscow mule, can be made in an alcohol-free version. The foam is already like this, and you can remove the vodka and add green apple syrup or pineapple juice.

Bartender Márcio Silva, of the Exímia bar, in São Paulo, included in the expanded list of this year’s Top 50 Bars ranking, suggests the use of jugs and adaptations of classic recipes for parties or preparations in large quantities. In the case of mojito, mint and lime are macerated, and the balance is adjusted with sugar or a sweetener. To vary the flavors, you can add touches of ginger or pepper.

When it comes to drink bases, there are a variety of options besides sparkling water. You can use coconut water, syrups, tea, or even other non-alcoholic drinks, like beer, wine, and gin.

Below, discover two non-alcoholic drink recipes created by Marcelo Serrano, including a strawberry mocktail, which is among the most searched on Google.