There’s a lot to love about being pregnant in summer: wearing a two-piece without a care in the world about your stomach bulging out, having a solid excuse to take naps in the AC on those hot afternoons, and not having to shove swollen feet into actual shoes (hello, flip-flops!), just to name a few.
But if we’re being honest, there’s one thing about being pregnant in warmer months that absolutely sucks, and that’s booze-free summer nights. Yep, I loathed sipping water at every barbecue and Friday night dinner during my summer pregnancies. When the crew gathers together and the sun begins to set, you’ve already compromised your wardrobe choices, so the boring drinks routine is just one more blow.
Enter the summer mocktail. If you know what to order — or mix up at home — these delightful, alcohol-free drinks might just take the edge off your summer pregnancy, or at the very least be a welcome change from water. One of my favorite ways to enjoy a virgin drink while pregnant was to ask the bartender to surprise me with something delightful and non-alcoholic when we went out. You can also peruse this list of favorite summer mocktail picks from bloggers around the globe for tips. Cheers!
More Mocktail Recipes:
15 Delicious Mocktails To Help you Survive a Summer Pregnancy
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Sparkling Raspberry Lemon Virgin Mojito
That's Faux-jito to you, chic preggo! So Fab Food blog delivers with this refreshing mocktail that has it all -- a crisp snap from the mint, a pop of fruit, some sparkle, and a hefty dose of tang. In my experience, a good alcohol-free cocktail needs a balance of flavors, and the fruity faux-jito offers just that.
Photo & Recipe: So Fab Food
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Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
With LA origins, the Moscow Mule is a quintessential warm-weather drink that cocktail buffs love. I'll admit to having had severe cravings for these during my first summer pregnancy, to the point where I once made my husband order one just so I could smell his breath! (I know, I know. Pregnancy is so weird...) Without further digression, here's a perfect virgin version!
Photo & Recipe: Our Best Bites
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Cranberry Cutie
Crans may be a traditional pick for holiday drinks, but I'm going to go ahead and pop this Christmasy glass of deliciousness on our summer list of mocktails because it's so darn pretty and refreshing, you'll love it any time of year!
Photo & Recipe: This Week for Dinner
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Iced Chocolate
The ONLY thing preggos crave more than a decent mocktail is a scoop of chocolate ice cream, so step aside non-alcoholic wine because there's a new indulgence in town.
Photo & Recipe: Taste & Tell
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Ginger Beer Hibiscus Mocktail
An African recipe with heaps of flavor and a tropical feel. Hey, it even has the word "beer" in its name, so it must be good, right? This UK food and drink blogger offers up a modernized twist on a classic favorite from her culture, and I'm here for it. As she explains, “This is the sort of mocktail that takes you back to somewhere in the tropics.” Done!
Photo & Recipe: Recipes from a Pantry
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Virgin Frozen Margarita
When I'm not pregnant, margaritas are my absolute, hands-down favorite summer drink. Sadly, every non-alcoholic version I ordered in bars and restaurants during my pregnancies were a letdown. Way too sweet and just not refreshing at all. This version delivers, so try it out!
Photo & Recipe: Taste & Tell
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Grapefruit Kombucha Agua Fresca
The name might be a mouthful, but it's totally worth a glassful (or two, or three...) of this "tangy-sweet and lightly herbaceous" alcohol-free cocktail from Will Frolic for Food blog. Nothing takes the edge off a long day of being pregnant in summer like a drink that looks and feels like just that -- a drink.
Photo & Recipe: Will Frolic for Food
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Tropical Mermaid Punch
Pregnancy, meet your favorite mocktail. With all the lemonade and pineapple flavor, you’ll be carefree and relaxed this summer even without booze.
Photo & Recipe: Finding Zest
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Strawberry Pineapple Shaker-Upper
This drink had me at the name. A pretty, fizzy, fun, and fruity mocktail for the moms-to-be, that I bet the kiddos would absolutely love, too. Add a sassy straw and get drinking, Mama.
Photo & Recipe: Something Swanky
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Juicy Julep
Derby-inspired and just as fresh and fun for those summer months spent lugging around extra poundage on not so much sleep... Something tells me this non-alcoholic, minty glass of yum will take the edge right off.
Photo & Recipe: Completely Delicious
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Palauxma
Ff this drink were a dress, I would wear it! Seriously, how pretty are those colors? Based upon a delightful Mexican cocktail, the Paloma, The Brewer & The Baker's, summery pink mocktail is sure to delight your tastebuds and add a welcome pop of pretty to any lunch or dinner spread.
Photo & Recipe: The Brewer and The Baker
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Sugar-Free Banana Piña Colada
It's also gluten-free and vegan, so dare I call this non-alcoholic drink a "health food" of sorts? Tasty Yummies' delightful take on a classic summer drink gets its sweetness from fruit and coconut milk. Just add a floral print maxi dress and a pair of sunnies and your afternoon is made.
Photo & Recipe: Tasty Yummies
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Alcohol-Free French 75
There is something so deliciously fancy feeling about this particular drink, I feel like a non-alcoholic version is just what a stressed out, nesting mama needs on a Friday night during the summer.
Photo & Recipe: Always Order Dessert
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Sparkling Peach Punch
Living in Georgia, I can tell you first-hand that there is absolutely no such thing as too many peaches. And a sparkling nonalcoholic cocktail with just enough sweetness and a touch of mint will absolutely do the trick on a hot and sticky summer day.
Photo & Recipe: Carlsbad Cravings
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Virgin Bloody Mary
This is a great go-to because it's hard to mess up and tastes pretty close to the real thing, even sans vodka. Go ahead and ask the bartender for an extra olive while you're at it; after all, you're eating for two!
Photo: Jenny Studenroth enjoying my signature pregnancy "cocktail" in Newport, RI, 2014.
