Women's Health May 19, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Secret to Guilt-Free Celebration: How ‘The Mocktail Playbook’ Reinvents Your Sip Game Without the Booze

Ever noticed how the party scene is slowly but surely swapping out cocktails for… well, nothing with a buzz at all? You’re not imagining it. Turns out, the data doesn’t lie—a 2025 Gallup poll shows that only 54 percent of folks admit to drinking alcohol, the lowest number ever recorded. Now, before you think everyone’s just giving up the fun, hold on. Plenty of people aren’t outright opposed to drinking; they’re just picking their battles. Maybe the morning-after regret feels too real, or health goals are playing referee, or simply alcohol doesn’t fit the vibe anymore. Whatever the reason, there’s a whole growing crew tapping their glasses without the booze—and guess what? They still want to celebrate. Enter The Mocktail Playbook by Women’s Health editors—a game changer filled with 50 delicious zero-proof recipes that raise the bar well beyond your average juice-and-soda mix. Ready to toast to good times without the hangover? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE

3 min read

You may have noticed it with your friends or even yourself: People are drinking less alcohol these days. Data now backs that up, too. A 2025 Gallup poll found that 54 percent of people now say they drink alcohol, which is the lowest ever.

Of those, 44 percent say they’re “total abstainers,” meaning they don’t drink at all. But there are plenty of people who fall into a gray zone. Meaning, they’re not opposed to drinking but don’t do it often for a range of reasons. Maybe they don’t like how they feel the next day, don’t feel that supporting their healthy living goals, or just don’t find that alcohol is a good fit in their life.

Whatever the reason, there’s a growing group of people who aren’t drinking alcohol on the regular—or at all. If you’re one of them, that doesn’t mean you don’t want to have a good time, of course. It’s just that alcohol may not be serving you. (Fair!)

For those times when you want to celebrate, but don’t feel like drinking, there’s The Mocktail Playbook. Written by the editors of Women’s Health, it features 50 mocktail recipes sourced from bartenders and mixologists across the country, as well as the WH test kitchen. One of the best parts about this book is that it uses zero-proof spirits and elevated ingredients to create recipes that are more than just a collection of juice and water mixes tossed together.

Here are three reasons why The Mocktail Playbook can help you live healthier:

It gives clear guidance on what you’ll need, why it matters, and how to incorporate it into your lifestyle.

The mocktail space can be tricky to wade through and even a little intimidating. Some drinks you come across online are just a mix of juices, which doesn’t feel like you’re having something special and celebratory.

The book also gives you information on different zero-proof spirits to consider and what they taste like. This is super helpful for when you just want to try out a new mocktail without having to do a ton of research in advance. The Mocktail Playbook also breaks down different fun and unique ingredients to try, along with how to actually make these mocktails.

It includes mocktail options that will serve a crowd.

Whether you’re hosting an all-out party or are just getting together with friends last-minute, you can make some of these mocktails in batches to serve a crowd. (Don’t miss the ultra pretty Star Spangled Spritzer—it’s a talking point.)

There are also categories in the book so you can find one that suits your tastebuds (or party theme), allowing you to quickly narrow down your search based on things like savory drinks or a vacation vibe.

The book offers mocktail recipes for a range of budgets.

Some drinks are cheaper to pull together than others. The Chai Mulled Cider, for example, uses chai tea bags, along with cider and spices, to create an earthy drink that won’t blow your budget.

But for those times when you want to create a more elevated experience, you can make something like the Bayberry Spritz, which uses two different types of zero-proof spirits, along with a special simple syrup you create.

A graphic featuring two colored horizontal bars on a white background.

Bottom Line: The mocktail space can be tricky to navigate. Sometimes you just want a delicious drink that feels like an experience in and of itself—and glorified juice just won’t cut it. The Mocktail Playbook is here to be your everything-mocktail guide.

Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.