Ginger Blood Orange Mocktail (Bright, Zesty & Alcohol-Free)
This Ginger Blood Orange Mocktail is a bright and zesty alcohol-free drink made with fresh ginger and citrus. Ready in just minutes, this winter mocktail delivers balanced flavor without the buzz. It’s perfect for a festive get together or happy hour at home.
If you love elevated, alcohol-free sips, be sure to try my Tropical Heat Spicy Mocktail and Creamy Blood Orange Mocktail next.
Quick Look: Ginger Blood Orange Mocktail
⏱ Ready in: 10 minutes
🍽 Servings: 1
🍊 Flavor Profile: Citrusy, spicy
👌 Difficulty: Easy
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The combination of juicy blood orange and zingy fresh ginger gives this mocktail real depth. The salted thyme rim adds contrast and keeps each sip interesting. The drink is delicious without orange bitters, but I highly recommend including them for a more dynamic flavor.
This Ginger Blood Orange Mocktail is part of my Barely Buzzed series, where I share thoughtfully crafted mocktails and low-ABV cocktails that celebrate flavor and beautiful presentation. While developing these recipes, I focus on layering ingredients (like fresh herbs, salt, spice, and bitters) so every sip feels intentional and complex. If you enjoy flavorful drinks without a heavy buzz, you’ll also love my Creamy Limoncello Cocktail and Orange Hot Toddy.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cocktail vibe without alcohol: This isn’t just juice in a glass! It’s balanced and dynamic.
- Easy but elevated: It looks impressive, but it’s simple enough for weeknights.
- Perfect for entertaining: A beautiful winter mocktail that everyone can enjoy.
- Simple ingredients: And easy to customize to your taste.
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card for quantities.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger, peeled and sliced. If you love ginger, my Charred Lemon Ginger Mocktail is amazing too!
- Agave: This sweetener gives the perfect level of sweet/not too sweet.
- Blood orange juice: Freshly squeezed or store bought are both great; just choose 100% juice if using store bought.
- Orange bitters (optional): You can opt for classic or alcohol free.
- Ginger beer: Look for a high quality ginger beer like Q Mixers or Fever Tree.
- Thyme and Sea Salt: For the rim.
Substitutions & Variations
- Citrus swap: Use navel oranges or even grapefruit for a different experience. Sweeten to taste depending on the citrus you choose.
- Bitters swap: Swap orange for citrus, aromatic or a spiced bitters for different tastes.
- Lower sugar: Use less agave or skip it completely. Use a lighter ginger beer or top with sparkling water instead.
- Less spice: Eliminate the fresh ginger and/or swap ginger beer for ginger ale.
- Make it a cocktail: Add 1½–2 oz vodka, gin or tequila to the shaker.
How to Make a Ginger Blood Orange Mocktail
Step 1: Prepare your glass – Combine sea salt and fresh thyme leaves in a shallow dish. Moisten the rim of your glass with citrus or honey, then dip into the thyme salt mixture.
Step 2: To a cocktail shaker – Add fresh ginger and agave to a cocktail shaker. Muddle firmly to release the ginger’s juices. Add blood orange juice, lime juice, orange bitters, and ice. Shake until well chilled.
Step 3: To your prepared cocktail glass – Fill with ice. Strain the mixture over ice, then top with chilled ginger beer. Garnish with blood orange and thyme.
Watch How to Make this Recipe
Carolyn’s Tips
- Chill ingredients: Use chilled ginger beer.
- Adjust sweetness: Taste the bev while adding ginger beer to get perfect level of sweetness and spice.
- Make it a cocktail: Add 1½–2 oz vodka, gin or tequila to the shaker.
Ginger Blood Orange Mocktail FAQs
A great blood orange mocktail should have sweetness, acidity, spice, and a little bitterness for depth.
Yup! Mix the juices, ginger, agave and bitters ahead and refrigerate. Add your ice and ginger beer just before serving.
More Mocktails to Try
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Ginger Blood Orange Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 slices fresh ginger, peeled
- ½ oz agave
- 1 ½ oz blood orange juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2-3 dashes orange bitters, optional, but recommended
- 2 oz ginger beer
- Thyme and sea salt, for rim
- Blood orange, lime and thyme, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare glass – Combine salt and thyme leaves on a shallow dish. Moisten the rim of the glass with citrus or honey. Dip in salt mixture until rim is coated.
- To a cocktail shaker – Add ginger and agave. Muddle firmly to break down ginger and release juices. Add blood orange juice, lime juice, bitters and ice. Shake until well chilled.
- Fill prepared cocktail glass with ice. Strain mocktail mixture into the glass. Top with ginger beer. If desired, garnish with citrus slices and thyme sprigs.
Notes
- Ingredients: This would still be yummy without the fresh ginger and orange bitters but I think those 2 ingredients give it a more dynamic flavor.
- Chill ingredients: Use chilled ginger beer.
- Adjust sweetness: Taste the bev while adding ginger beer to get perfect level of sweetness and spice.
- Make it a cocktail: Add 1½–2 oz vodka, gin or tequila to the shaker.
The winter citrus and spicy ginger pair so perfectly in this recipe. I hope you enjoy it!