For the Northern Beaches mums doing Dry July — drinks that taste like a treat, not a compromise.
Let’s be honest — Dry July is a brilliant cause, but the hardest part isn’t avoiding the wine. It’s standing at a summer barbecue in Manly or watching the sunset at Freshwater and feeling like you’re missing out. You’re not. These five mocktails are so good, your friends will be asking what you’re drinking. All the ritual, all the flavour — none of the next-day regrets.
No. 1 – The Classic: Virgin Mojito 🌿
WHAT YOU NEED
- Fresh mint
- Lime juice
- Brown sugar or sugar syrup
- Soda water
- Ice
METHOD
Muddle a handful of fresh mint with the juice of one lime and a teaspoon of sugar in the bottom of a tall glass. Add a generous scoop of ice, top with soda water, and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wheel.
| ✨ Why this beats the original The mint and lime are the stars of a real mojito anyway — the rum is just a background player. Without it, you actually taste more of that gorgeous fresh herb and citrus brightness. Plus, you can have three of these and still drive the kids home from Saturday arvo sport. Win. |
No. 2 – The Crowd Pleaser: Mock Margarita 🍋
WHAT YOU NEED
- Fresh lime juice
- Orange juice
- Agave syrup
- A pinch of salt
- Sparkling water
- Salt rim (optional)
METHOD
Mix two parts fresh lime juice with one part orange juice and half a part of agave syrup. Shake with ice, pour into a salt-rimmed glass, and top with a splash of sparkling water. Serve over ice with a slice of lime.
| ✨ Why this beats the original Tequila can give a margarita a harsh, headachey bite that overpowers everything. The mocktail version lets that zingy citrus and sweet agave truly shine — and you’ll save yourself waking up at 2am wondering why you had that third round. The salt rim still makes it feel indulgent. |
No. 3 – The Tropical Escape: Piña Colada Bliss 🍍
WHAT YOU NEED
- Pineapple juice
- Coconut cream
- Fresh pineapple
- Lime juice
- Ice
METHOD
Blend one cup of pineapple juice with half a cup of coconut cream, a squeeze of lime, and two cups of ice until smooth and frothy. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge. For extra flair, toast some coconut flakes and rim the glass.
| ✨ Why this beats the original A classic piña colada is actually mostly mixer anyway — the pineapple and coconut do all the heavy lifting. Without the rum, the natural sweetness of the pineapple comes forward beautifully and it tastes lighter and more refreshing on a hot Northern Beaches afternoon. This one’s a straight-up vibe. |
No. 4 – The Mum’s Best Friend: Faux Espresso Martini ☕
WHAT YOU NEED
- Fresh espresso (cooled)
- Vanilla syrup
- Oat or dairy milk
- Chocolate bitters (optional)
- Ice
METHOD
Pull a double shot of espresso and let it cool slightly. Combine in a shaker with a splash of vanilla syrup, a dash of oat milk, and plenty of ice. Shake hard (the shaking creates the foam!), then strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with three coffee beans as a garnish.
| ✨ Why this beats the original Espresso martinis get their famous frothy top from the shaking — that has nothing to do with vodka! You still get that rich, intense coffee hit plus the energy boost without the alcohol on top of the caffeine chaos. And honestly, after school pick-up, swimming lessons, and dinner prep, you’ve earned every sip of this gorgeous thing. |
No. 5 – The Sunset Sipper: Mocktail Aperol Spritz 🍊
WHAT YOU NEED
- Blood orange juice
- Seedlip Spice 94 or Lyre’s Italian Orange
- Sparkling water
- Orange slice
- Ice
METHOD
Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add a good pour of Seedlip Spice 94 (or Lyre’s Italian Orange for that authentic bittersweet hit), top with fresh blood orange juice and sparkling water in equal parts. Stir gently and garnish with a thick slice of orange and a sprig of rosemary.
| ✨ Why this beats the original Non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip and Lyre’s have come a long way — they’re complex, botanical, and genuinely satisfying. The bittersweet orange flavour is all there, it looks stunning in the glass, and you won’t get that heavy, sleepy feeling after a few. Perfect for watching the sun go down at Pittwater. You’ll feel like you’re on a European holiday — without the jetlag or the hangover. |
🥂 Happy Dry July, Northern Beaches mums.
You’re doing something great for your health and for a brilliant cause. These drinks are proof that a beautiful evening ritual doesn’t need alcohol to feel special — it just needs a little effort, good ice, and the right company.