We’ve seen people gag just sipping alcohol. We can’t blame them! Yes, liqueurs taste amazing when you know how to identify their flavors. But for many of us, it’s an acquired taste.
Plus, not everyone wants to drink alcohol for the sake of tasting its intense flavors. Many nights, we just want to have a night out where we’re having fun with a refreshingly boozy drink!
But it’s no fun when we take a sip of something only to gag from surprise from the bitterness of tequila or vodka.
That’s where cocktails come to save us!
With the mix of sweeteners, herbs, and spices, among other ingredients, we can enjoy our drinks the way we deserve to.
But wait, what are the cocktail drinks that don’t taste like alcohol but still give a good kick? (*)
Watch out, folks!
Not all cocktails are free of the alcohol flavor you’re trying to avoid. Prepare what you’ll order, and stick with these cocktails to get more fruitiness and sweetness!
Check out our complete list below!
1. Cosmopolitan
The cosmopolitan consists of vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice. Depending on the number of ingredients used, it can be a strong drink without tasting much alcohol. Instead, you’ll taste more of the tangy citric flavor, perfect for hot summer days or parties by the beach.
The Cosmopolitan isn’t too sweet, nor is it overbearingly tart, having intense aromatic flavors that mask the burning vodka!
You’ll get a bit of a head rush without realizing it because you’re so caught up with the deliciously fruity flavor. Plus, this is a classic cocktail that’s as elegant as it is refreshing.
If you’ve ever watched Sex in the City, the Cosmopolitan is Carrie Bradshaw’s go-to drink!
2. Screwdriver
The Screwdriver will really screw with your head because you won’t taste the alcohol, but you’re already getting tipsy after a few drinks! This cocktail consists of vodka and orange juice, a simple yet refreshing concoction.
You can even make it yourself!
The Screwdriver is named after the fact people used screwdrivers to stir this drink. Don’t worry; the screwdrivers used back then were most likely sanitized.
Add even more orange juice to avoid feeling the strong alcohol content vodka has! You won’t taste the alcohol, but you’ll definitely feel the buzz.
3. Fuzzy Navel
This was one of the first drinks to enter the world of cocktails in the 1980s.
Today, it’s a classic party drink as it brings out delightful flavors covering vodka’s bitter undertones.
Like the Screwdriver, it’s effortless to make as it only requires orange juice and Peach Schnapps. Since Peach Schnapps has a 15-20% ABV, it doesn’t have the highest alcohol content.
You won’t exactly get drunk off the Fuzzy Navel, though maybe a few drinks can get you tipsy!
4. Sex on the Beach
The cocktail’s name sounds dirty, but it feels oh, so good! This is notorious for being a refreshing summer cocktail, perfect for those by the beach. The cocktail is the epitome of easy drinking, usually served as a shooter or highball in bars.
The cocktail is named after two things people love doing in Florida, particularly during Spring Break, and is said to have originated as a joke that stuck. We can thank Ted Pizio for the cocktail, who created this in Florida back in the 1980s!
Sex on the Beach is made of vodka, Peach Schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
You can expect it to have subtly sweet and fruity flavors, which you can enjoy no matter the season.
Thanks to the strong and natural ripe peach flavor, you won’t taste the sharp alcohol. However, you’re left with a mellow buzz that may leave you actually wanting Sex on the beach!
5. Pina Colada
If you like pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain~ Continue that song with a refreshing pina colada! This drink is one of the best cocktails to have when on vacation in the tropics. It’s a sugary, festive drink with a strong foundation of coconut, and coconuts, pineapples!
Pina Coladas are made of rum, pineapple juice, and coconut milk (or coconut cream). Thanks to the sweet and sour pineapple and creaminess of coconuts, it cuts the harshness of the alcohol. Plus, it’s one of the easiest frosty cocktails to make
5. Malibu Rum
This is another tropical drink perfect for the summer, but it’s so simple, so you feel more laidback. Plus, you’ll definitely get a hit without that bitter smack of rum.
The coconut in Malibu Rum will add summery notes, while pineapple juice will create a musky tonic with tons of exciting and refreshing flavors.
We like to mix Malibu Rum with pineapple juice and lime juice to give it the tangy citrus flavors that work excellently with the base alcohol. Like Pina Coladas, the combination of coconuts and pineapple works well together.
Other great mixers for Malibu Rum you can try!
- Tropical flavored vodkas, such as pineapple.
- Grapefruit, or orange juice.
- RumChata.
- Lemon-lime soda and a dash of grenadine.
- Cranberry juice.
- Cola.
- Ginger ale or ginger beer.
6. Strawberry Margaritas
We love margaritas, but we know that the traditional margarita can be too boozy for some people’s tastes. Fortunately, there are many tequila variations to choose from, and the strawberry margarita is our favorite one.
Strawberry Margaritas are made of tequila, triple sec, strawberry puree, sugar, and lime juice. So, it’s very sweet and filled with strawberry goodness!
But wait, this is a dangerously delicious cocktail where you’ll only taste sweet, strawberry goodness. You might be enjoying a few of these cocktails at first, but next thing you know, you can’t walk straight!
Get Recipe: delish.com
7. Kamikaze
The Kamikaze is another famous cocktail lauded for how it can give you a fancy kick without the alcoholic flavor. That’s thanks to its tangy undertones and pleasing flavors, having that powerful acidic zing.
This cocktail is made of vodka, triple sec, and lime juice, and we’ve got to warn you: It’s very addicting!
You can take it either as a full-fledged cocktail or shot form and still not taste much of the alcohol.
8. White Russian
The White Russian is a simple cocktail with a different kind of sweetness. It’s pretty different compared to the other fruity cocktails we mentioned here, and it’s perfect for the coffee lovers out there.
This cocktail is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh cream, giving you the flavors of cream and coffee. Think of it as a classy Irish coffee! We love this cocktail because it looks so lush and expensive, yet it’s cheap and easy to make.
The White Russian became popular thanks to the 1998 movie, The Big Lebowski.
Get Recipe: advancedmixology.com
9. Mimosa
Mimosas are the most popular brunch cocktails.
We personally associate it with brunch in New York City, with the drink concealing its alcohol flavor with the refreshing orange taste.
It’s basically combining orange juice and champagne, giving you a fancy vibe with those tall wine glasses.
Since the alcohol content isn’t as intense as other cocktails, you won’t get drunk right away. But hey, you might down a lot of these, and that’s when you’ll realize the alcohol’s kicking in as quickly as you guzzle these down.
There are so many more different cocktails that only feature a hint of the alcohol taste but can still give you a bit of a kick! Try Spritzers, Caipirinha, Mai Tai, Vodka Cranberry, or the Win-Win Mule.
Get recipe: mindfulavocado.com
Frequently Asked Questions
For those who still have questions about cocktails and alcoholic drinks, we answer the frequently asked questions below:
Wrapping It Up
The next time you’re out with friends, make sure to remember our list of Cocktails That Don’t Taste Like AlCOHOL. That way, you won’t feel disappointed with the next drink you will order and focus more on enjoying the cocktail’s flavor and your fun night out.
If you’d like to delve deeper into the world of liqueur, we’ve got a lot more in store for you. Check out the rest of our blog posts here at Nomspedia to learn about popular food and drinks.
