Pull Up a Chair: Let’s Chat Old-Fashioned Mocktails
Okay, so you know those evenings when you just crave something a little fancy in your glass but it’s Monday and honestly, who wants to deal with a hangover on a Tuesday? That’s kind of how my Old-Fashioned Mocktail obsession started. I remember the first time I made this for my aunt who doesn’t drink—it was a mix of curiosity, stubbornness, and her giving me her classic side-eye. Anyway, she ended up loving it and now insists I bring a jug for every family get together (which is a bit much, but you gotta love family, right?).
Why You’ll Love This (Or At Least Not Hate It!)
I whip this up when I want that cocktail vibe without, well, the actual cocktail. My cousin claims this version is better than most mocktails she’s tried at actual bars (she’s a bit dramatic but she’s not totally wrong). Plus, there’s no fighting over the last orange at the store—well, sometimes there is, but it’s usually because I forget to buy enough (oops).
It’s super easy, no need for fancy bitters that cost as much as a meal out. And clean-up is… well, as easy as you make it. I still remember the one time I knocked over the syrup bottle—sticky floors for days. Learn from my mistakes?
What You’ll Need: Ingredients (And Secret Swap-Outs)
- 3 oz chilled club soda (sometimes I use sparkling water when the club soda runs out—it’s all bubbles, right?)
- 2 oz freshly squeezed orange juice (boxed is fine in a pinch but it’s not quite the same)
- A dash of Angostura orange bitters—or honestly, even regular bitters or just a splash more OJ if you can’t find those
- 1 tsp simple syrup (or swap in maple syrup if you, like me, always forget to make simple syrup until the last minute)
- 2 maraschino cherries (the neon red ones look fun, but I do like the dark ones from Luxardo if you can snag ‘em)
- 1 orange peel (my grandmother insisted on Valencia oranges, but I just use whatever’s on sale—don’t tell her)
- Ice—however much you want, I use enough to float a small boat
How I Actually Make This (With Honest Side Notes)
- First, grab an old-fashioned glass. Or a mason jar. Or the first clean cup you can find—sometimes washing up takes all the wind outta my sails.
- Plop in the orange juice, simple syrup, and bitters. Give it a gentle swirl—sometimes I get over-excited and slosh half over the side, but hey, kitchen mishaps make good stories.
- Fill the glass with ice. This is where I usually sneak a little taste. Don’t worry if it looks a bit murky—that’s just the orange doing its thing.
- Top it off with club soda. Gently! The fizz likes to escape. Stir slooowly so you don’t lose all those bubbles (I always forget this and end up with flat mocktails… half the time, anyway).
- Twist the orange peel over the top to get the zest going—try not to shoot it in your eye like I did once. Drop in the cherries. Admire your handiwork.
- If you like, add a pretty straw or a fancy cocktail pick. Or don’t. Sipping straight form the glass is cool too.
Notes That I Wish Someone Told Me
- Don’t overdo the syrup. Seriously, I once made a batch that tasted like a melted lollipop. Less is more.
- Actually, I find using chilled soda means you don’t need as much ice, so it doesn’t get watered down as quickly.
- I tried using grapefruit instead of orange once. Not a fan, but maybe you’ll love it? To each their own.
So Many Variations (Some Good, Some… Let’s Forget)
- Swap half the orange juice for blood orange. It’s punchier and just looks kind of fancy, if that’s your thing.
- Muddle a bit of fresh basil instead of the orange peel for a weirdly refreshing twist—my brother thought I’d lost the plot but ended up finishing his glass.
- Once tried using cola instead of club soda, thinking it’d be a fun experiment (it wasn’t. Don’t bother).
Equipment and Quick Fixes
Any sturdy glass will do. I usually use my old jam jars. If you don’t have a muddler for the cherries or peel, the back of a spoon works just fine. Or a wooden spoon, or whatever you’ve got lying about, really. Honestly, we home cooks are MacGyvers sometimes!
How About Storage?
This keeps okay in the fridge if you make a big batch—just leave out the soda until ready to serve. But in my house, it never lasts more than a day (usually disappears in an hour if my cousin’s around).
Serving: Make it Yours
I tend to serve these with a little dish of nuts or popcorn on the side. My aunt dips her cherries in chocolate before she drops them in (a wild move, but you do you). Sometimes if it’s a summer BBQ, I’ll throw in a cinnamon stick just for kicks.
What I Learned (Mostly The Hard Way): Pro Tips
- Don’t rush the stirring step. I once tried shaking it all in a jar but the soda went wild and sprayed everywhere. Lesson learned!
- If your oranges are a bit sour, just up the syrup a little. But not too much, or you’ll regret it when it tastes like orange candy.
- Don’t skimp on the ice, especially if it’s hot out. Nobody likes a lukewarm mocktail.
Your (Totally Real) Questions, Answered!
- Can I skip the bitters?
- Sure, honestly. It won’t be super authentic, but sometimes I forget them, and nobody’s called me out yet.
- Do you have to use fresh orange?
- Well, fresh is best, but boxed works too (I’m not judging, promise). On second thought, use what you’ve got—no one’s peeking.
- Can kids drink this?
- Yup! My niece calls it her grown-up drink. Just maybe ease up on the bitters for them? That’s what I do.
- Can you make it in advance?
- You can mix up everything but the soda ahead of time and keep it in a pitcher. Add the soda last minute so it’s still fizzy.
- Any links to mocktail inspo?
- Oh totally! I love the tips at Liquor.com’s mocktail roundup and the seasonal juice ideas at How Sweet Eats.
Phew, I didn’t mean to ramble so long (you ever get started on food and just sort of lose track of time?). Anyway, as my gran always said, the best drinks are the ones you actually enjoy—so do a little freestyle, and let me know how your Old-Fashioned Mocktail turns out! Cheers, pal.
Ingredients
- 2 sugar cubes
- 4 dashes non-alcoholic aromatic bitters
- 2 orange slices
- 2 maraschino cherries
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
- 6 oz club soda
- Ice cubes
Instructions
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1Place a sugar cube in each serving glass and add two dashes of non-alcoholic bitters onto each cube.
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2Add an orange slice and a maraschino cherry to each glass. Muddle gently to combine and release flavors.
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3Pour in fresh lemon juice and orange juice, then fill the glasses with ice cubes.
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4Top each glass with club soda. Gently stir to mix all ingredients.
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5Garnish with an additional orange slice or cherry if desired. Serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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