There is something magical about the thought of drinking after a long, stressful day. To just chill and sip while vibing to some party music. And now, a new type of drink is pretty much making waves in Filipino’s nightlife.
Sobriety and mindful drinking is gaining ground among drinkers. Mocktails or non alcoholic drinks have emerged as more than a placeholder for real booze. Gone were the days when being the only sober friend meant sipping water out of a beer glass just to blend in.
Today, bartenders across the city are reimagining the mocktail as a crafted, intentional offering—designed not just to fill a void, but to fill a glass with flavor, elegance, and fun.
Bar owners are redefining the bars when it comes to drinking—making it an experience of its own. Here are a few mocktails to enjoy the nightlife without getting drunk.
1. Virgin Mojito
A minty favorite that’s far from basic. This refreshing drink radiates the perfect balance of mint and lime, served with crushed ice, a splash of soda water and uses non-alcoholic spirit like Ritual Rum Alternative instead of traditional rum.
2. Shirley Temple
This childhood icon has aged gracefully. Named after the iconic child actress Shirley Temple. It is made with grenadine and lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, topped with maraschino cherries.
3. Citrus Sparkler
A triple citrus threat—lemon, lime, and orange, with added grenadine, topped with soda water. It’s a tongue-tingling answer to Manila’s nights.
4. Sunset Cooler
A mix of orange and pineapple juice with a drizzle of grenadine. This drink is every night’s golden hour. Sunset Cooler is a fresh and fruity mix of lemonade, lime, RedLeg Spiced rum, blackberry liqueur, sorrel, and a dash of orange bitters.
5. Mango Mule
Swap the vodka and you’ve got a punchy, peppery mocktail that doesn’t hold back. It’s a strong—tropical flavor without the alcohol punch. The word “Mule” refers to the combination of the three ingredients: mango nectar, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.
6. Virgin Piña Colada
Creamy coconut milk, pineapple juice, honey, lime juice, blended over ice, create this non-alcoholic escape. Whether you’re in town or your own living room, this mocktail tastes like a beach day on a budget.
7. Fruit Basket
A very healthy option, made with guava purée, lychee, apple, and lemon juice. This mocktail is as colorful as it’s called—with sweetness and a hint of tang at the top of your tongue.
8. Jungle Juice
Good for those who have adventurous taste buds. With tamarind, coriander, buko juice, and brown sugar, it’s surely a wild mocktail to drink at night.
Why It Matters?
This alcohol-loving culture has been established even before Spain’s landing in the country. According to Statista (2023), Filipinos consume about 6.26 liters of pure alcohol per person. With mocktails, from red horse nights, Filipinos are transitioning not just ‘ways’ of drinking but also the culture.
Bars aren’t just offering options—they’re reshaping them. From flavor layering to presentation, the intention remains: to make something that speaks to the soul, not just the palate.
Sobriety in the city isn’t about what’s missing in your glass—it’s about what’s present. Taste. Connection. Control.
Mocktails aren’t killing the party. They’re reimagining it. And the more Filipinos embrace that, the more colorful and inclusive nights become.
