Non Alcoholic Whiskey Sour Mocktail

This non alcoholic whiskey sour mocktail is tart and bold. An easy mocktail version of the classic whiskey sour. All the flavor, without the booze!

I don't really drink these days, but when I did, whiskey was always my go-to liquor. I loved the depth and boldness of a good whiskey. And enjoyed tasting different flavor profiles.

So I know the importance of flavor and richness, even in a mocktail version.

This whiskey sour mocktail is made similarly to my old fashioned mocktail recipe. It's got a deep, punchy flavor - without the booze!

Why this recipe works

Replacing Whiskey

Stick with me on this one: my totally homemade replacement for whiskey is black tea.

I know!

For sure you can also use a zero proof whiskey. But I wanted to give a healthier and (let's face it) cheaper option.

Black tea is rather neutral but still has a robust flavor and a bit of a bite, to mimic the natural flavor of whiskey.

Whiskey sour ingredients

Then, the other classic ingredients in a whiskey sour: lemon juice, simple syrup, and a garnish.

I used my coconut sugar simple syrup to add a deeper, caramelly flavor. But any simple syrup will work.

In my old fashioned mocktail I used my maple simple syrup recipe. Agave simple syrup or brown sugar simple syrup are also great options.

True cocktail making involves experimenting with the flavors that you love!

Why You'll Love this Non Alcoholic Whiskey Sour Mocktail

• Classic flavor - tangy lemon juice and rich simple syrup mimic the flavors of a classic whiskey sour
• No Alcohol - of course! It's a mocktail, so there's no alcohol at all. If you want to add alcohol I give the quantity and type of liquor below
• Dietary needs - besides being alcohol-free this old fashioned is plant-based, oil-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free
• Actually pretty healthy - with tea as the base, this mocktail is something you could drink any time of day
• Simple ingredients - Just a few pantry staples, and no expensive zero proof alcohols (unless you want!)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Hot Water + Black Tea Bags: instead of whiskey, this mocktail uses tea as the base. Tea is rather neutral but still has a bit of a bite, to mimic the whiskey flavor.
• Lemon Juice: I always say 'fresh is best' but it's extra true for a mocktail like this. The lemon juice is a key flavor and you will taste if it's bottled.
• Simple Syrup: I used my coconut sugar simple syrup. In my old fashioned mocktail I used my maple syrup simple syrup. There are endless simple syrup possibilities (and several on my site) - choose your favorite!
• Garnish: orange slices or lemon peels and cocktail cherries. I used some dried blood oranges and cocktail cherries. I recommend either orange or lemon for that bit of citrus oil flavor added.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. Steep the tea in the hot water for 3-5 minutes. Let the tea cool completely.

Step 2. To a glass add the tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Whisk together.

Step 3. Serve over ice garnished with cocktail cherries and an orange slice/peel.

FAQ

Expert Tips

Chilling whiskey drinks

I highly recommend chilling stones or reusable ice cubes to help your drink stay cold without melting ice.

Make a sugar-free mocktail

To make this mocktail completely sugar-free, omit the simple syrup. If you're looking for a bit more sweetness, add some date syrup instead. You could also use orange juice, which is naturally very sweet.

Add Alcohol

By the glass: skip the tea and add a shot of bourbon or rye to the glass

Recipe Prayer

Thank you God for this mocktail. Thank you for alcohol-free drinks that we can enjoy. Amen.

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