Celebrate World Cocktail Day Differently In 2025

The date was the 13th of May 1806 when the editor of The Balance, Harry Croswell, first defined the word cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters.”

Fast forward over 200 years, and this date is still celebrated annually as World Cocktail Day. With this year's World Cocktail Day just around the corner, we thought we would offer our insight for the Lyre’s enthusiasts of the world on how they can take part with the delicious alternative known as mocktails.

What is a mocktail?

The word mocktail has been around since the 1930s and is simply a non-alcoholic cocktail that replaces alcohol with Lyre’s impossibly crafted non-alcoholic spirits, various fruit juices and soft drinks. Mocktails have become increasingly popular among mixologists in bars/restaurants in recent years, with the non-alcoholic beverage no longer considered a niche drink.

Best Ways to Celebrate World Cocktail Day

For anyone looking to enjoy a healthier alternative this World Cocktail Day, join in on the fun with some amazing and incredibly refreshing mocktails. Why not turn your kitchen into a bar and have a party that serves vibrant mocktails while festive music plays and people dance the night away.

If partying is not how you want to celebrate World Cocktail Day, then put your ingredients in front of the TV and binge your favourite show while creating and enjoying their mocktail masterpieces.

Lyre’s List of Mocktails To Enjoy This World Cocktail Day

We’ve compiled a list of five mocktail recipes that will prove to be the talk of the town and allow non-alcoholic enthusiasts to be a part of the World Cocktail Day festivities without missing a beat. These five mocktails have been handpicked to pair with our range of delicious non-alcoholic spirits.

Lyre’s Mojito

This classic mocktail oozes class and elegance, from the abundance of mint leaves to the sweet inclusion of white sugar syrup. This mojito with a twist will have you coming back for more after each sip.

You’ll need:

• 75mL Lyre's White Cane Spirit
• 30mL lime juice
• 15mL white sugar syrup
• 8 - 10 mint leaves
• 30mL premium bottled soda water
• Lime

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients into a highball glass
2. Fill with fresh cubed ice
3. Stir in the ingredients
4. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint leaves

Lyre's Pina Colada

The Pina Colada is a tropical paradise in a glass; the refreshing coconut water and pineapple combination creates a flavour sensation you won’t soon forget.

You’ll need:

• 75mL Lyre's White Cane Spirit
• 75mL fresh young coconut water
• 20mL white sugar syrup
• 6 fresh pineapple chunks
• Mint sprig

Method:

1. Press pineapple chunks into a shaker
2. Add remaining ingredients and ice
3. Shake for 20 seconds
4. Strain into a highball glass
5. Top up with cubed ice
6. Garnish with mint and pineapple wedge

Lyre's Tommy's Margarita

The term party in your mouth has become overly cliché when describing drinks. That's why this non-alcoholic drink is more so a festival for your tastebuds. A festival headlined by Lyre’s Agave Reserva Spirit and a supporting act that includes agave syrup and lime juice.

You’ll need:

• 60mL Lyre's Agave Reserva Spirit
• 30ml lime juice
• 15mL premium agave syrup
• Pinch salt (optional)

Method:

1. Place ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake for 20 seconds.
2. Strain into an old fashioned glass.

Lyre’s G&T

Since the G&T was invented, the iconic drink has been clasped in the hand of every suntanned, sunglass-wearing Sunday session enthusiast. Lyre’s G&T is the alcohol-free alternative you’ll be guzzling down this World Cocktail Day while you ponder what is more refreshing, the drink in your hand or a dip in the pool.

You’ll need:

• 45mL Lyre's London Dry Spirit
• 120mL premium bottled tonic water
• 1 pink grapefruit slice
• Rosemary sprig

Method:

1. Add ingredients into a highball glass
2. Fill with ice and stir
3. Garnish with rosemary sprig

Lyre's Espresso Martini

Nothing warms the mind, body and soul quite like coffee, except Lyre’s Coffee Originale, which not only enhances that coffee flavour but brings it to the forefront of your palette. This drink is sure to be one you go back to well after World Cocktail day has drawn to a close.

You’ll need:

• 45mL Lyre's Coffee Originale
• 15mL Lyre's White Cane Spirit
• 45mL premium cold drip or fresh espresso
• 10mL premium vanilla syrup (not vanilla essence)
• Coffee beans

Method:

1. Fill half a shaker with ice
2. Add the ingredients
3. Shake for 20 seconds
4. Strain into a wide-brimmed cocktail glass
5. Garnish with coffee beans