Best Summer Mocktails To Complement Salads & Light Dishes
Yash Lakhan
April 01, 2025
Mocktails served alongside salads and light summer dishes bring out the best flavours of fresh ingredients without overwhelming their natural profiles – because their balanced acidity, gentle sweetness and herbal notes contribute to making a meal unique. Citrus-based drinks slice through richness while infusions of herbs contribute to adding depth.
Cucumber-Lime Spritz
Lime and fresh cucumber juices deliver subtle acidity and neutrality, while a splash of soda water contributes effervescence, offering a crisp option to pair with delicate, leafy salads.
Minty Watermelon Cooler
Watermelon and mint blend sweetness and herbal flavours in this unique drink, enhancing a seasonal fruit salad replete with fresh herbs and light cheeses like halloumi or feta.
Ginger-Basil Lemonade
The warm spice of fresh ginger root paired with the herbal depth from basil, and acidity from lemon, combine to create a well-balanced mocktail complementing grain salads and seafood preparations.
Coconut-Pineapple Fizz
Coconut water and pineapple juice add tropical flavours while soda water keeps the viscocity of the drink light, making it well-suited for citrusy salads with grilled vegetables.
Berry-Hibiscus Iced Tea
The tartness of hibiscus tea and sweetness of berry purée combine to create a balanced mocktail that is best enjoyed with a mixed greens, nuts and feta salad.
Green Apple & Celery Tonic
The acidic fruitiness of green apple juice paired with the mellow bitterness of celery provide unique contrast suitable for slaws, lean grain bowls and salads with citrus elements.