You’re off the clock at 5 pm sharp, just as orders start coming in for happy hour drinks. Instead of dashing home to change and rushing across town to your favorite bar, why not treat yourself to something special and sophisticated in the comfort of home? You could even make it a gathering and invite your colleagues for post-work drinks to kick off the weekend.
In fact, at-home happy hour could even help you save more than $3,000 per year. According to WTOP News, a survey of 3,800 Americans conducted by Alcohol.org showed that on average, Americans spend almost $58 per week at happy hour. This adds up to just under $3,016 annually.
Whether you’re looking to save money or avoid the happy hour rush between work, home, and your favorite bar, we’ve got just the recipes for you to enjoy a tipple at home.
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Is alcohol vegan?
While a number of alcoholic beverages are totally animal-free, some wines, beers, and ciders aren’t vegan. That’s because, sometimes, animal products like isinglass (which comes from dried fish swim bladders), gelatin, and casein, can be used in filtration. This process helps to remove sediment from the liquid and results in a clearer beverage. That said, not all fining agents come from animals, and some brands opt for clay or carbon to filter their products instead.
When it comes to cocktails, however, the good news is that most liqueurs and spirits (like vodka and rum) are naturally vegan. You do need to watch out for creamy liqueurs, however, which can sometimes include dairy products (like the original Baileys, for example).
What cocktails are vegan?
Egg whites, honey, and dairy cream are sometimes included in cocktail (or mocktail) recipes, so you need to be mindful that you don’t accidentally choose a tipple laden with animal products (especially if you’re out at a bar). But that said, there are plenty of options that are totally vegan. And they’re totally delicious, too. Here are some of our favorites.
10 delicious cocktail and mocktail recipes
Whether you’re looking for a boozy libation or a zero-proof drink, these cocktail and mocktail recipes are sure to liven up any happy hour.
Natalie Williams
1 Vegan Square Root
Sweet and minty fresh, this cocktail serves a pop of color with a spicy-sweet punch of flavor. With less than 10 ingredients, it comes together in a flash. Beyond happy hour, swap out your mimosa for this cocktail. Oranges make it a breakfast bev, after all.
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Anson Smart
2 Ginger Peach Sangria
White grape juice, sweet and supple peaches, and aromatic ginger combine to make this cocktail. You’ll be shocked by how many flavor notes pass over your tongue on the way down. Trust us, you’ll want to make this your new house cocktail.
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Leon Fast Vegan
3 Vegan Kahlua Cream Liqueur
Creamy cocktails aren’t reserved for non-vegans. Whip up this tasty vegan Kahlua cream liqueur with a few tablespoons of coconut cream, a dash of vegan milk, and some vanilla extract. If you prefer to go alcohol-free, swap out the Kahlua for a totally sober version.
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Like a Vegan
4 Amaretto Sour With Aquafaba
Like most sour cocktails, Amaretto Sour is usually served with egg white. But luckily aquafaba mimics this animal ingredient perfectly, and it’s totally vegan (it’s chickpea water!), so there’s no need to miss out on this zesty beverage.
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Shanika Graham-White
5 Espresso Martini Mocktail
Sure, a simple mug of coffee can give you a caffeine kick. But why settle for a cup of joe, when you could whip yourself up an espresso martini mocktail?! It’s creamy, it’s indulgent, and it’s super easy to make, too.
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Zhoro Apostolov and Michelle Cehn
6 Piña Colada Mocktail
Sadly, we can’t be on vacation all year round. But we can transport our taste buds to the tropics by treating ourselves to this creamy vegan piña colada mocktail recipe. For added island vibes, add a mini umbrella.
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Candice Hutchings
7 Peachy Bourbon Moscow Mule
Traditionally, a Moscow mule features just three ingredients: vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. But arguably, a splash of bourbon and some sweet peach juice makes this classic cocktail even more delicious.
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Natalie Williams
8 Vegan Blood Orange-Ginseng Margarita
Liven up a margarita by adding some earthy blood orange juice and a few drops of ginseng tincture into the mix. The result is a glass of zesty, boozy goodness. Serve with a straw and a wedge of lime, of course.
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Luke Albert
9 Vegan Strawberry Lemon Elderflower Mocktail
Strawberries, lemonade, and elderflower sprigs are the perfect mocktail trio, especially when combined with sweet cloudy apple juice. This mocktail is arguably the perfect refreshing booze-free drink for a hot summer’s day.
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10 Herbed Strawberry-Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail
This tasty mocktail is the best combination of sweet and herby, thanks to the mix of basil, agave nectar, and strawberries. There’s a little kick of fire thanks to the ginger beer, which works as the perfect mixer.
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For more vegan happy hour recipes, read:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
