When it comes to cocktails, strong spirits often steal the show, but sometimes you want something lighter without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re having a relaxed evening with friends or just prefer a less boozy option, low-ABV cocktails offer the perfect balance. From fizzy spritzes to herb-infused concoctions, these 10 drinks are sure to satisfy your taste buds without the heavy alcohol content.

Stop the Hourglass

Get ready for a frozen twist on a classic! Amontillado sherry brings a rich, nutty backdrop, while mint tea ice cubes cool things down, making it the perfect blend of sweet and refreshing.

Recipe:
2 oz Amontillado sherry
1 oz ginger syrup
Mint tea ice cubes

How to Make: Toss everything into a blender, blend until smooth, and serve in a frozen glass. Cheers to chill vibes!

Source: Food and Wine

The Spaghett

This is your go-to low-ABV alternative to a Negroni. Light beer and Campari come together for a simple, bittersweet drink with a twist of fruitiness—perfect for casual sipping.

Recipe:
4 oz light beer
1 oz Campari

How to Make: Add Campari to a glass, top with light beer, and stir gently. That’s it. Effortless, right?

Source: The Southern Living

Sparkling Rosé Cocktail

This fizzy number is perfect for a laid-back evening. With sparkling rosé as the base, you can adjust the sweetness with a spoonful of jam or even grill some peaches for a smoky kick.

Recipe:
4 oz sparkling rosé
1 oz tequila
1 tsp jam (optional)

How to Make: Stir rosé and tequila in a glass, and for that extra flair, add jam and garnish with grilled peaches. So refreshing!

Source: Perfectly Provence

Dirty Shirley

Throw back to your childhood with this grown-up version of the classic Shirley Temple. Vodka makes it an adult drink, but that maraschino cherry still keeps it playful.

Recipe:
2 oz vodka
4 oz lemon-lime soda
Maraschino cherry

How to Make: Fill a glass with ice, add vodka and soda, and finish with a cherry. Simple, fun, and a bit nostalgic.

Source: The Spruce Eats

Grapefruit Amaro Spritz

Bitter, floral, and citrusy, this spritz uses Lo-Fi Aperitifs Gentian Amaro to balance out the hibiscus and grapefruit flavors for a drink that's light but totally full of personality.

Recipe:
2 oz Lo-Fi Aperitifs Gentian Amaro
3 oz sparkling water
1 oz grapefruit juice

How to Make: Mix amaro and grapefruit juice, top with sparkling water, and stir it up. You’ll never look at a spritz the same way again.

Source: Imbibe Magazine

Lavender Tonic

Perfect for when you need something that’s both refreshing and a little bit fancy. Lavender bitters bring an aromatic punch that pairs so well with gin and tonic for a floral, fizzy drink.

Recipe:
2 oz gin
1 oz lavender bitters
4 oz tonic water

How to Make: Combine gin and bitters in a glass, add ice, top with tonic, and stir. It’s like a mini escape to a lavender field in a glass.

Source: Food.com

Italicus Spritz

The Italicus Spritz is as easy as it gets. This refreshing aperitif is made with Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and sparkling water. Keep it simple and let the flavors shine through.

Recipe:
2 oz Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
4 oz sparkling water

How to Make: Pour Italicus into a glass, add sparkling water, stir gently, and you’ve got yourself the perfect pre-dinner drink.

Source: World of Mixology

Haus Pomegranate Rosemary Spritz

This one’s for the herb lovers. Haus Pomegranate Rosemary brings a touch of fruity sweetness and herbal depth, making this spritz light, refreshing, and definitely memorable.

Recipe:
2 oz Haus Pomegranate Rosemary
3 oz sparkling water
Fresh rosemary sprig

How to Make: Fill a glass with ice, pour in Haus, top with sparkling water, and garnish with rosemary. A spritz that feels fancy but is oh-so-easy to make.

Source: Drink.Haus

Pomegranate Bourbon Mocktail

Who says mocktails can’t be sophisticated? This non-alcoholic bourbon mocktail uses pomegranate juice and NA bourbon for a bold, fizzy drink with a hint of spice.

Recipe:
2 oz pomegranate juice
2 oz non-alcoholic bourbon
2 oz ginger beer
Squeeze of lime

How to Make: Shake pomegranate juice, non-alcoholic bourbon, and bitters with ice, strain into a glass, top with ginger beer, and garnish with lime. It's mocktail magic.

Source: Half Baked Harvest

Non Alcoholic Manhattan

A low-ABV twist on the Manhattan, this version uses non-alcoholic bourbon and sweet vermouth for a sophisticated, smooth sip without the heavy alcohol punch.

Recipe:
2 oz non-alcoholic bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
3 dashes bitters
Lemon twist or Luxardo cherry (for garnish)

How to Make: Stir bourbon, vermouth, and bitters with ice, strain into a glass, and garnish with a lemon twist or cherry. Perfect for when you want the flavor of a classic without all the booze.

Source: Simple Mocktail Recipes

These 10 low-ABV cocktails show that you don’t have to go heavy on the alcohol to enjoy delicious drinks. Whether you're in the mood for something refreshing, floral, or just a bit sweet, these recipes offer plenty of variety to suit any occasion. So go ahead, sip lighter and savour the flavours!