While there is no denying that you will find plenty of people indulging in alcoholic beverages on your cruise, there are plenty of non-alcoholic, or zero-proof, cocktails for you to enjoy. It just is not a cruise without a tropical beverage by the pool!
You do not have to limit yourself to soda or coffee, either. Thankfully, many of the most popular beverages can be made non-alcoholic by omitting the alcohol, and they are cheaper than cocktails! Cheers to indulging and saving money.
Whether you want to skip the alcohol for personal reasons or are trying to come up with some ideas for your children, here are 10 mocktails to try on your next cruise, so you can enjoy a fruity drink during sail away, too.
And if you happen to peruse the menu and see something alcoholic that you would like to try, it does not hurt to ask and see if they can make it without! Plus, talk to the bartenders and see if they have any recommendations. You may even be able to craft your own drink together.
Piña colada
Since its invention in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the 1950s, piña coladas are often the first drink that comes to mind when people think of tropical vacations, whether it is a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or a casual trip to the beach.
This popular frozen pineapple and coconut beverage can easily be made non-alcoholic, as the only ingredient that is alcoholic is the rum.
Since the pineapple and coconut flavors are so powerful, you will barely be able to taste a difference between a virgin piña colada and an alcoholic one!
Strawberry daiquiri
If you walk through the pool deck on a sunny sea day, there is a strong probability that you will see numerous strawberry daiquiris. It is so fruity and refreshing that it makes for a great option to cool down on a hot day at sea.
The daiquiri's origin is dated back to 1896 in Cuba to a cocktail recipe card that was signed by Jennings Cox, and it is believed that the drink was invented as a result of Cox running out of gin in the middle of a cocktail party.
Like with the piña colada, it is easy to turn this beverage into a mocktail. Simply tell the bartender to leave out the rum!
There are many other flavors of daiquiris, too, so you can spend your cruise ranking which zero-proof one is your favorite! There's mango, banana, peach, etc. Ask what flavors are available!
Miami Vice
Perhaps you are a little indecisive and cannot choose between a strawberry daiquiri and piña colada. The good news is that you can, technically, have both at once!
A Miami Vice is part strawberry daiquiri and piña colada. The combination of the frozen strawberry, pineapple, and coconut is truly delicious!
Mai Tai
Unlike the three previous drinks, a mai tai is not a frozen beverage. This rum-based cocktail usually contains both white and dark rum; however, it can easily be turned into a zero-proof beverage.
In 1944, Victor Jules Bergeron crafted the beverage with rum, orange curaçao, fresh lime, and some French orgeat syrup. According to the tale, when he served the drink to his friend, she said, “Mai Tai-Roa Aé,” which means “out of this world-the best” in Tahitian, and that is how the drink got its name!
Even though it is not frozen, it is a great tropical drink that is perfect for an afternoon by the pool.
Mojito
While the mojito was invented in Cuba, its exact origins are unknown. Some speculate that South American Indians ventured into Cuba and brought the ingredients back with them. Another story is that Sir Francis Drake concocted the beverage while in Havana to try and cure an illness that had fallen upon his ship's crew.
Regardless, today it has become just as popular as other tropical drinks, such as the piña colada and mai tai.
This refreshing drink is rum-based; however, you will not be able to taste much of a difference when the alcohol is left out due to the strong minty taste!
Mudslide
For those who cannot pick between a drink and dessert, look no further than the mudslide! This delicious dessert beverage is great for anyone craving something sweet.
Allegedly, the mudslide came to fruition around 1970 on the island of Grand Cayman at Wreck Bar & Grill as a variation of the White Russian cocktail.
While the traditional version is crafted with vodka, coffee liqueur (i.e., Kahlua), and Irish cream (i.e., Baileys), there are mocktail versions that are made with ice cream, coffee, and flavored syrups, most often hazelnut.
Smoothies
Depending on what cruise line and ship you are sailing you, you might be able to order a fresh smoothie from the juice bar. Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, for instance, have them available at the Vitality Cafe located in the spa. Likewise, Disney Cruise Line has the Senses Juice Bar onboard Disney Dream and Fantasy, which is also in the ships' spas.
Smoothies are healthier alternatives to other zero-proof cocktails that are high in sugar. It is, however, your vacation, and you can indulge in any way that you'd like!
Bloody Mary
Like the mojito, the exact origin story of the Bloody Mary is disputed. The most well-known, though, is that a French bartender named Fernand Petiot claimed to have invented the drink in 1921 while working at New York Bar (now known as Harry's New York Bar) in Paris.
The alcoholic counterpart is made with vodka, tomato juice, and some other ingredients, such as Worcestershire sauce.
If you want to sip on this savory drink, ask for a zero-proof version! It will taste like a fancy tomato juice.
Shirley Temple
Growing up, I always felt so fancy whenever my parents would allow me to order a Shirley Temple at dinner! This drink is great for guests of all ages, as it is just ginger ale, a splash of grenadine, and, of course, a maraschino cherry to top it off. Modern day versions of the drink may use lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite, instead.
The drink is named after the celebrated child actress Shirley Temple-- she was Hollywood's number-one box office draw between the years of 1934 and 1938!
She, however, was not a fan of the beverage, as she thought it was too sweet. In fact, she once told NPR's Scott Simon, "Yes, well, those were created in the 1930s by the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, and I had nothing to do with it."
Specialty coffees
Why not kickstart your morning with a latte or cappuccino instead of a simple cup of joe? Or perhaps you need an afternoon pick-me-up while recharging for the evening's activities. Either way, sometimes you just want to sip on something that will give you a little bit of energy.
Head to the ship's coffee bar where you can order from the menu or customize your own beverage with their flavored syrups.
Do you have a favorite zero-proof cocktail that you like to enjoy while on vacation? Let us know in the comments!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
