13 Easy Mocktail Recipes with Handmade Cordials (Plus Cocktail Versions)

More of us are drinking less, but nobody wants to be handed a glass of lemonade while everyone else gets a proper drink. The answer is a good cordial. One bottle of handmade cordial makes dozens of drinks, takes seconds to mix, and works just as well with soda water as it does with gin.

These recipes use Stir Crazy Lady cordials, handmade in small batches in the Otway Ranges, Victoria, with real fruit and no artificial preservatives or additives. Each mocktail has a cocktail version too, so the whole table drinks the same thing.

The basic formula

Every drink below starts the same way:

• 30ml cordial (adjust to taste)
• 150–200ml mixer: soda water, sparkling water, tonic or dry ginger ale
• Lots of ice
• Something fresh: mint, herbs or a citrus slice

Build it in the glass, stir once and serve. For the cocktail version, add 30–45ml of spirit.

1. Blood Orange Spritz

Stir Crazy’s best seller, and the prettiest drink on the table.

Mocktail: 30ml Blood Orange & Lime cordial, topped with sparkling water, ice and an orange slice in a wine glass.
Cocktail: top with Prosecco instead and add a dash of Grand Marnier.

2. Yuzu Highball

Yuzu tastes like grapefruit, lemon and mandarin at once. This one is grown in Victoria.

Mocktail: 30ml Yuzu & Lemon cordial, soda water, ice and a sprig of thyme.
Cocktail: add 45ml dry gin and shake with ice for a yuzu gimlet.
Winter version: stir the cordial into hot water for yuzu tea.

3. Virgin Moscow Mule

Mocktail: 30ml Kaffir Lime cordial, topped with dry ginger ale, ice and a lime wedge.
Cocktail: add 1 measure of vodka.

4. Old-Fashioned Ginger Beer

Mocktail: 30ml Ginger & Lemongrass cordial, soda water, fresh mint and ice.
Cocktail: make a summer punch with Pimms, mineral water, a dash of dark rum, sliced apple, orange and mint.

5. Pink Grapefruit Tonic

A grown-up, not-too-sweet aperitivo.

Mocktail: 30ml Ruby Grapefruit cordial, tonic water and ice.
Cocktail: add 30ml citrus-forward gin for a pink G&T.

6. Passionfruit Party Punch

Mocktail (makes a jug): 150ml Passionfruit Punch cordial, 1 litre sparkling water, sliced orange, mint and plenty of ice.
Cocktail: swap half the sparkling water for Prosecco.

7. Earl Grey Cooler

Mocktail: 30ml Bergamot, Lemon & Lavender cordial stirred into 150ml chilled black tea, with ice and a lemon slice.
Cocktail: make a Bergamot Sour by shaking the cordial with gin, ginger syrup and fresh lime juice.

8. Sicilian Mandarin Soda

Mocktail: 30ml Mandarin & River Mint cordial, soda water, extra fresh mint and ice.
Cocktail: add a splash to a margarita.

9. Raspberry Fizz

Mocktail: 30ml Raspberry & Pomegranate cordial, soda water, fresh mint and ice.
Cocktail: add to a gin and tonic for an instant pink G&T.
Bonus: it doubles as a syrup, so drizzle it over yoghurt and granola the next morning.

10. Garden Lime Spritz

Mocktail: 30ml Lime & Thyme cordial, sparkling mineral water, a thyme sprig and ice.
Cocktail: add to a gin and tonic.

11. Winter Citrus Crush

Mocktail: 30ml Tangelo & Grapefruit cordial, soda water, crushed ice and citrus segments.
Cocktail: 45ml vodka, 15ml Grand Marnier, 30ml cordial, soda and crushed ice.

12. Classic Lemon-Lime Soda

Mocktail: 30ml Traditional Lemon & Lime cordial, sparkling water, ice and mint. It’s ideal for a SodaStream.
Cocktail: 30ml cordial, 1 measure tequila, 1 measure limoncello, soda water, mint and ice.

13. Seville Orange Punch

Mocktail: 30ml Bells of St Clements cordial, soda water and torn mint.
Cocktail: splash into a vodka soda with a twist of lemon.

Hosting tips

• Set up a drinks station: two or three cordials, a bucket of ice, soda water, tonic and a bowl of mint. Guests can mix their own.
• Chill everything. Cold mixers keep the fizz and need less ice.
• Garnish generously. Fresh herbs and citrus make a mocktail look as considered as a cocktail.

FAQs

How much cordial do I use per glass?

Start with about 30ml of cordial to 150–200ml of mixer, then adjust to taste.

What’s the difference between cordial and syrup?

Both are concentrated and diluted before drinking. Cordials are usually fruit-based and made for mixing with water, while syrups are often thicker and used for coffee, desserts or cocktails. Some, like Raspberry & Pomegranate, work as both.

Are these cordials alcohol free?

Yes. Stir Crazy’s cordials are non-alcoholic, so every recipe here works as a mocktail. Add spirits only for the cocktail versions.

Do they make good gifts?

Yes. Handmade in Victoria with local ingredients, a bottle or two makes a thoughtful gift for hosts, food lovers and non-drinkers.