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Mocktails are on the rise! These cocktail alternatives have become increasingly popular as more people decide to cut alcohol out of their diets. Whether you are participating in Dry January, pregnant, or looking to decrease your alcohol intake, mock-cocktails provide healthy alternatives to popular beverages.

Why Should You Decrease Your Alcohol Intake?

Aside from quitting smoking, a healthy diet is the most effective way to reduce one’s risk of cancer. Worldwide research studies over many years indicate roughly 30-40% of cancer diagnoses could be prevented by modest diet and lifestyle changes.

Per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States. Unfortunately, less than half of Americans realize the risk. In early 2025, the U.S. Surgeon General recommended alcoholic beverages come with cancer risk warnings similar to tobacco products.

Prevention remains our best weapon against cancer.

Swap Cocktails for Mocktails

An accessible way to reduce one’s alcohol intake is to swap cocktails for healthy and delicious mocktails. For an additional health bonus, consider using ingredients featured in NFCR’s Cancer-Fighting Food archive to boost your overall well-being and reduce your risk of cancer.

Below is a selection of Winter Mocktails for you to try.

Mulled Apple Cider

Hot drinks, like Mulled Apple Cider, are a go-to winter option for those who want to stay warm and cozy. Apples boast a high amount of dietary fiber and polyphenol compounds, which partner with gut microbes to create an environment that may reduce one’s risk of cancer.

With just 5 ingredients, you can make a delicious mulled apple cider in a crockpot or on the stovetop. Try this Mulled Apple Cider recipe from The Kitchn. You’ll need apple cider, an orange, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves.

Galentine’s or Valentine’s Mocktail:

Make a mocktail for someone you love! Whether it’s family, friends, or significant other, swapping a tasty mocktail with anticancer ingredients shows your love in more ways than one.

To make a striking red drink, consider trying a Blood Orange Mocktail, like the recipe provided by Dash of Jazz. To make this drink, you will need blood oranges, sea salt, mint leaves, sparkling water, and a syrup sweetener of your choice.

Using citrus fruit as a base for this mocktail means adding health benefits such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cardiovascular, and neuroprotective properties not often found in your standard cocktail. 

Super Bowl Mocktail:

In the U.S., a list of staple events in winter usually includes the Super Bowl. Like many celebrations, this event can involve excessive drinking. For a no-alcohol drink option, try our Kickoff Mocktail! NFCR’s Kickoff Mocktail is a twist on a traditional Shandy, which typically combines beer and lemonade.

To prepare the mocktail, combine a 12oz Non-Alcoholic Beer of your choosing with 1.5oz of orange juice (freshly squeezed for a healthier approach), 1.5oz of ginger beer, and a dash of pickle juice. Garnish with fruits or pickles to consume afterward.

The orange in this recipe provides a vitamin C and folate boost that benefits X. The ginger in the ginger beer helps aid digestion and has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The Kickoff Mocktail is a win-win, no matter how your team performs.

Ordering Mocktails Instead of Making Them at Home

If you are at a bar or restaurant with friends and family, there are typically several options you can order to avoid alcohol. Many cocktails can be ordered as ‘virgin,’ meaning they contain no alcohol. For example, Virgin Margaritas, Daquiris, or Mojitos are commonly available. You can also try soda water with a splash of juice as a good alternative. Non-alcoholic (NA) beers have become more popular as well, with brands like Athletic Brewing Co. and Bero specializing in zero-proof drinks and common beer brands like Heineken and Guinness providing NA options as well. Finally, canned mocktails are also an option; look for brands such as Mingle Mocktails, Ghia, Recess Zero Proof, and Mockly.

Remember, the best way to maintain a healthy diet is to consume in moderation! For more healthy living tips to reduce your cancer risk, visit NFCR’s YouTube Channel.