7 Easy Non-Alcoholic French Drinks to Make at Home

Perfect for #DryJanuary shenanigans or folks who embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle all year round, our line-up of non-alcoholic French drinks are easy to make, delicious to sip, and filled to the brim with joie de vivre. So, come along and elevate your mocktail experience with a few hand-picked classics and raise a toast to sans-alcool sippers. Santé! 🗼⚜️ 

The history of mocktails in France

While France has long been celebrated for its vineyards and spirits, a recent trend towards mindful drinking has sparked a surge in the popularity of mocktails. This shift reflects a growing awareness of health and wellness and the desire for alternatives to alcohol in social settings. 

Traditional non-alcoholic French drinks primarily consisted of juices, sodas like Orangina (invented in 1933), and flavoured milk drinks. Even though these were enjoyed by adults, they lacked the sophistication and variety of their alcoholic counterparts. 

The rise of cafes and bistros introduced new non-alcoholic options like Diabolo, a summer drink made with lemonade and flavoured syrups. However, mocktails remained simple and limited. 

The 21st century witnessed a significant shift. As health concerns and social attitudes towards alcohol evolved, people were on the lookout more sophisticated and flavourful non-alcoholic French beverages. This led to the emergence of dedicated mocktail bars and a growing selection of premium ingredients like artisanal syrups, kombucha, botanicals, and non-alcoholic spirits. 

The mocktail movement gained further momentum in the 2010s, with innovative bartenders crafting creative drinks inspired by classic cocktails, utilising fresh herbs, spices, and unique flavor combinations. This increased awareness and appreciation for non-alcoholic drinks. 

Today, France is considered a leader in the global mocktail revolution. The country boasts a thriving scene of bars, restaurants, and brands dedicated to offering premium non-alcoholic beverages. Popular non-alcoholic French drinks are no longer seen as substitutes but as exciting and flavourful drinks in their own right. 

Without further ado, here are a few of our favorite popular non-alcoholic drinks in France to try at home: 

1. Cacolac

A cosy chocolate milk drink from Bordeaux, Calolac is a regional favourite that turns simple milk and cacao into pure comfort on frosty days.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Milk

• 1 tbsp High-quality cacao powder

• 1–2 tsp Sugar or honey (to taste)

Method

1. Warm milk in a saucepan over medium heat

2. Stir in cacao powder and sugar or honey until smooth and combined

3. Pour into a heat-proof mug

4. Serve hot

Read next: 10 Falernum Cocktails to Try 

2. Diabolo Menthe

A French childhood favourite turned playful mocktail, this minty-green fizz is sweet, bubbly, and perfect for fun-loving grown-ups too.

Ingredients

• 60 ml Mint syrup

• 180 ml Lemon-lime soda

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a tall glass with ice

2. Add mint syrup

3. Top with lemon-lime soda

4. Stir gently to combine

5. Serve immediately

You might also like: 11 Most Popular Après Ski Drinks After a Day at the Snow 

3. Perry

Ingredients

• 180 ml Fresh pear juice

• 60 ml Sparkling water

• Ice

• Optional: Sugar, to taste

Method

1. Fill a glass with ice

2. Add fresh pear juice

3. Top with sparkling water

4. Sweeten with a little sugar if desired

5. Stir gently and serve

4. Gini Lemon

A French favourite from Provence, this zesty sip balances the bite of bitter lemon with fresh citrus for a sparkling, sunshine-filled drink.

Ingredients

Version 1 – With Syrup

• 30 ml Bitter lemon syrup (with cinchona bark, if homemade)

• 60 ml Fresh lemon juice

• 120 ml Sparkling water

• Ice

Version 2 – With Soda

• 60 ml Fresh lemon juice

• 180 ml Bitter lemon soda

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a glass with ice

2. For syrup version: add bitter lemon syrup and lemon juice, then top with sparkling water

3. For soda version: add lemon juice to the bitter lemon soda

4. Stir gently to combine

5. Serve immediately

More inspiration: Easy Mocktails | What is The Best Mocktail?  

5. Orangina

A beloved French classic, Orangina is fizzy, citrusy, and perfect for sunny-day sipping at picnics or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• 120 ml Fresh orange juice

• Zest of 1 Lemon (a light sprinkle)

• 180 ml Sparkling water

• Ice

• Optional: Sugar, to taste

Method

1. Fill a tall glass with ice

2. Add orange juice and a light sprinkle of lemon zest

3. Top with sparkling water

4. Stir gently to combine

5. Sweeten with sugar if desired

6. Serve immediately

6. Café Au Lait

In France, equal parts steamed milk and strong hot coffee are combined to make the perfect mellow beverage known as a Café Au Lait. 

Ingredients

• Equal parts Hot French roast coffee and steamed milk

• Milk foam (reserved)

Method

1. Pour hot French roast coffee and steamed milk into a cup in equal parts

2. Stir gently to combine

3. Spoon reserved milk foam on top

4. Serve hot — ideally with a croissant on the side

7. European-Style Hot Chocolate

European-style Hot Chocolate is yet another non-alcoholic drink that goes very well with a fresh croissant (or a dainty little Madeleine).

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Whole milk

• 0.5 cup Whipping cream

• 170 g High-quality dark chocolate (65–70% cacao), chopped

Method

1. Add milk, cream, and chocolate to a saucepan over medium heat

2. Whisk frequently until the mixture is steaming hot but not boiling

3. Continue whisking until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth

4. Pour into mugs and serve immediately

If preferred, you can add some cocoa powder to deepen the chocolate taste or add sugar to make it sweeter. Divide the hot chocolate between two mugs, top with some whipped cream, and a dusting of cinnamon for extra cheer, and enjoy. 

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