With the scorching heat of the summer, one of the best ways for you to cool down and enjoy yourself is with a glass of cool and refreshing cocktail. Although there is a wide range of cocktails to choose from, you would be surprised by the number of cocktails which have a dairy or animal-based product in the.
But this should not a reason for you to lose out on some nice cool drink because of your vegan lifestyle. Hence, we bring you a list of about thirty vegan-based drinks, to cool you for the day.
We have given you two different variations of cocktails. One of them, labeled “fully vegan” are the ones which are originally made from only plant-based products and do not contain any egg, meat, or dairy products or other animal products like honey or gelatin in them.
The other set of cocktails are labeled as “vegan alternative”. In these drinks, one or two non-vegan ingredients are replaced with a suitable vegan alternative. Read on, and try out one of our thirty favorite cocktails, this summer.
Vodka Based Cocktails
Bloody Mary (Vegan Alternative)
Bloody Mary is one of the most classic cocktails you can enjoy with your brunch. This Vodka based cocktail from Paris, is famous worldwide, thanks to its flexibility of being served along with almost any cuisine. It’s made of vodka, tomato juice, celery, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper.
Although this seems to be vegan, it’s not. The regular Worcestershire sauce is derived from anchovies. Hence, this classic cocktail can be easily recreated using a “Vegan Worcestershire sauce”, which is commercially available in the stores, instead.
This vegan drink has the same taste and additives as the regular one, without using anchovies during manufacturing. Just replace the sauce, and you are ready to spice up the party.
Momo Special (Fully Vegan)
Momo Special, also known as Vodka Mojito, originated from the United Kingdom during the late ninety’s. It is a minty vodka-based cocktail to refresh you during the summer.
And the best part about making this drink is, all its ingredients are fully vegan and it’s extremely easy to make! It is made from Vodka, mint leaves, sugar cane syrup, lime juice and soda water.
Rose and Lemon Spritzer (Vegan Alternative)
Rose and Lemon Spritzer is one of the most elegant vodka drinks which can be made, and is almost too pretty to drink. It can double up as a drink you can enjoy with your significant other on a romantic date.
It’s a vegan cocktail made from rose water, vodka, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, sparkling water and agave syrup (alternative to honey). You can garnish the drink with buds or petals of fresh roses floating on the drink, which is edible for consumption.
Sex On The Beach (fully vegan)
Sex on the beach is one of the fruitiest cocktails in the world. It’s a perfect mixture of vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice and peach schnapps. It is served with a garnishing of an orange slice on the side and a few cocktail cherries in the bottom, covered by a tiny cocktail umbrella.
This heavenly drink is not only the ideal tropical party cocktail but is fully vegan. So, it’s safe to treat yourself with sex on the beach, this summer.
Cosmopolitan (fully vegan)
Cosmopolitan cocktail also goes by just “Cosmo”, became quite famous when it featured in the TV series “Sex and the City”. This pink colored martini was one of the favorite drinks of one of the characters in the show, and we can see why.
It was originally made from a classic kamikaze, which was reintroduced with the addition of orange-based vodka and some cranberry juice. This killer drink made from citrus vodka, Cointreau liqueur, cranberry juice and some fresh lime, is a perfect addition to your vegan party.
Liqueur Based Cocktails
Barclay (Vegan Alternative)
This is the alcohol version of a dessert in a glass. One of the tastiest cocktails in the world, it is a paradise drink for a person with a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, the regular version is made using whipped cream and ice cream.
But you recreate this classic using vegan-friendly ingredients: coffee liqueur, brandy, dairy-free chocolate ice cream for mixers, and some almond cream.
Jack O’Hara (Vegan Alternative)
It is a wonderful cocktail based on elderflower liqueur. The original uses the Canadian Yukon Jack Liqueur, but it isn’t vegan due to the addition of honey it.
Hence, alternatively, Canadian whiskey can be used as a substitute in it. Other ingredients include cranberry juice, lime juice and a drop of myrrh oil.
Bailey’s (Vegan Alternative)
Bailey’s is a lot like Barclay, in terms of taste and composition. Hence, we are here to show you how to make another yummy Irish cream-based drink vegan friendly. Use the following ingredients instead to make it yourself: whiskey, coffee powder, vanilla extract, coconut milk and agave syrup.
Another good news is thanks to rising demand, the company “Bailey’s” itself is considering a move to launch a vegan-friendly version of this delicious cocktail very soon.
Whiskey Based Cocktails
August Moon (fully vegan)
The first in the list of our whiskey-based cocktail is one of the best tasting one in the category. The flavor is intense, refreshing and is very fruity.
Made using bourbon whiskey, sake, orgeat syrup and lime juice, this gives it a seasonal twist. August Moon is a vegan-friendly drink relished by whiskey lovers.
Goldrush Sour (vegan alternative)
The goldrush sour is a modern classic rendering of the traditional whiskey sour. It is generally made from four rose Bourbon whiskey, freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey.
In the vegan variant, you can use maple syrup or any other plant-based syrup instead of honey drops, to prepare this cocktail.
Mint Juleps (fully vegan)
Mint juleps are the finest summer cocktails one can relish. The vegan alternative is so delicious, it is good enough for even non-vegans to switch to veganism.
It is made from sugar, sparkling water, mint leaves and Bourbon whiskey.
Auqafaba Whiskey Sour (fully vegan)
Another vegan version of the whiskey sour drink is the auqafaba whiskey sour. The egg white used in whisky sour is replaced using auqafaba and it is a delicious and sort-after alternative.
Auqafaba is the concentrated cooking water used to boil legumes like chickpeas. This concentrate has the same form and texture as the egg yolk and hence is widely used as a suitable substitute.
Wine Based Cocktails
Vegan Mulled Wine (Vegan Alternative)
Although we assume most wines are vegan friendly, some of these manufacturers use artificial ways to speed up fermentation using gelatin or albumin as fining agents.
Hence, select a vegan-friendly red wine for the cocktail. You can either heat the wine for about half an hour or add slices of apples, peaches and pears to it or you can alternatively make a cooler Sangria version of it for warmer weather.
Farmer’s Daughter (Vegan Alternative)
It is a fun and tasty cocktail which doubles up as a dessert drink for any occasion. Composed of cream sherry and sometimes vanilla ice cream, it’s a sweet tooth’s paradise. But unluckily, it uses egg yolk, and the ice cream may be milk-based.
Hence, the vegan version of this cocktail replaces the egg yolk with Irish moss or flaxseed, and dairy-free ice cream. Other elements of the cocktail remain the same, namely, the cream sherry wine, the golden caster sugar, ground cinnamon and a drop of cassia essential oil.
Rum Based Cocktails
Piña Colada (Fully Vegan)
Piña Coloda is one of the most sort-after cocktails during summertime. Smooth taste, refreshing flavor, everything checks out with this iconic drink except for one aspect- cream. The only thing we are replacing in this iconic drink is regular cream with coconut cream.
The vegan version which luckily also happens to be the widely used version even by your bartender can be made by yourself by blending coconut cream, white rum and pineapple juice together, and garnishing it with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries.
Bahama Mama (fully vegan)
This gem of a rum-based drink has multiple variations depending on the location. But one thing common between all these variants, is all of them are vegan.
Some places use white rum, orange juice and grenadine, although traditionally, it is made from spiced rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and the Caribbean Angostura bitters.
Cranberry Mojito Punch (fully vegan)
Another easy to make refreshing drink is the cranberry mojito punch. Mojitos are getting increasing famous for their taste and flexibility of adding various flavors.
Of the various types of mojitos, cranberry mojito punch is exceptionally good in taste. These rum cranberries are as healthy as they taste, with nutritional benefits of low calorie and high vitamin C content.
Tequila based cocktails
Tequila Mockingbird (fully vegan)
Tequila Mockingbird is a criminally underrated cocktail because the combination is so unused. Made from Tequila and watermelon, it’s a simple and refreshing drink.
Its ingredients include Jalapeno peppers, silver tequila, watermelon cubes, fresh lime juice and agave slices.
Tequila Sunrise (fully vegan)
Tequila Sunrise is a bold and classy cocktail which is also visually good looking. It’s named as such, as the hue layers in the drink reassemble a sunrise. It is a tall drink which is usually served in a high ball glass. It has multiple variations, by playing with the quantity of the tequila and juices used or mixing up the ingredients.
Few of those are Caribbean Sunrise, Russian (vodka) Sunrise, Southern Sunrise, Colorado Sunrise, Tequila Sunset, Nuclear sunrise, etc. All these alternatives open to you a plethora of options and are easy to make.
The base variant: Tequila Sunrise, is a fully vegan cocktail made from tequila, orange juice and grenadine syrup.
Bloody Orange Margarita (fully vegan)
Margaritas are the definition of soul food. They can instantly raise your spirits and universally liked. Margaritas have always been the go-to relaxation drink. You can be having the worst day possible, but there is nothing a Margarita can’t fix.
Just because you are vegan, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on other all-time classical cocktails. Bloody Orange margaritas as the name suggest are made from blood oranges and tequilas. The ingredients also include limes, agave nectar and a tiny bit of vanilla, all of which are vegan.
Brandy Based cocktail
Butterfly (Vegan Alternative)
The classic butterfly is an elegant, aromatic and smooth drink. It uses cherry brandy as a base. This fine cocktail, unfortunately, contains egg yolk in the form of advocaat.
Hence, alternatively, you can make the drink using crème de violette as a substitute for the traditional advocaat.
Mixed Cocktails
French 75 (fully vegan)
French 75 is one of the finest cocktails from France. It is such a flexible drink, which can complement your breakfast, lunch or even dinner. It tastes like a champagne martini.
French 75 was named after a 75 mm field gun used by the French Military during the first and second world wars. It is an all-rounder of a weapon famed for its portable nature and flexibility of use for decades.
Hence, they wanted to name their finest drink after it. It is made by mixing gin, lemon juice, champagne (or any other sparkling wine), some sugar syrup and a lemon twist to garnish.
Spiked Michelada (vegan alternative)
Spiked Michelada is a Mexican beer cocktail which sure can make your summer much more exciting. Made from Silver Tequila, a few dashes of Tabasco Sauce, some juice, Mexican beer, chili salt and some sangrita added as a chaser to the tequila.
This fine drink is a treat to drink, but some variants sometimes have “Worcestershire Sauce” which is not vegan. The regular variant of the sauce is made using anchovies, which is the main ingredient, giving the sauce its umami flavour. But avoid using this sauce or replace it “Vegan Worcestershire sauce” and we are good to go.
G and Fizz Prosecco Cocktail (Vegan alternative)
This vegan cocktail is smooth, but has quite a strong effect, due to the presence of its three alcohol bases. It made by mixing prosecco sparkling wine with gin and some elderflower cordial. It is garnished with some mint or cucumber to add to the cooling effect.
Although, this drink is mostly vegan, certain few manufacturers of prosecco wine use non-vegan ingredients for the fermentation process. Hence, make sure the wine you use is vegan-friendly.
Hangman’s Blood (fully vegan)
A drink first written about, by Richard Hughes in his 1929 novel, A High Wind in Jamaica, is a wonderful amalgam of alcohol. As simple as it looks, this drink is one strongest cocktail out there.
It comprises of stout beer, whiskey, rum, port, champagne, brandy and gin. It a fully vegan drink, for those who want to take your drinking game to the next level.
Vanilla Cranberry Mimosa Cocktail (Fully Vegan)
Cranberry Mimosa is an all-season cocktail. Although usually made as a Christmas time cocktail, it is a wonderful drink to try out this summer.
All the constituents are vegan friendly, hence you have nothing to worry about. It is made from Cranberry juice, vanilla-flavored Vodka and sparkling wine.
Lemon Drop (fully vegan)
Lemon Drop is the easiest cocktail to prepare and is vegan friendly. It is a traditional drink made by mixing vodka, triple sec and some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Cucumber Gin Martini (fully vegan)
It is cool, crunchy and low carbohydrate drink. It is made from gin-infused cucumber and a dash of vermouth. Hence, not only are these drinks tasty, but they are quite healthy.
Espresso Martini (fully vegan)
It is the perfect blend of coffee and alcohol. It is free of any dairy and animal products. It is made from vodka, coffee liqueur and some coffee shots. But try avoiding using chocolate powder to top the drink. If needed, find a non-dairy based chocolate alternative.
Long Island Iced Tea (fully vegan)
We were saving the best for the last. Long Island Iced Tea is one of the exceptionally well made and the most famous cocktail drink around the world. It has so many components in it, all of which are surprisingly vegan. It is a lovely summertime drink rich in alcohol content.
It constitutes of vodka, tequila, cola, gin, triple sec, Bacardi and lime. Lastly, it is served in a tall glass decorated by a slice of lemon and a cocktail umbrella.
Although we have given you a list of thirty different cocktails, there are a plethora of options to choose from. The key is to find a vegan alternative to any of the non-vegan ingredients and you can recreate any of those drinks. And believe us; you have healthier, plant-based alternatives available to each and every one of these ingredients.
Hence, enjoy your day with a chilled cocktail this summer, the vegan way. If you’re interested in more tasty cocktail recipes, make sure to check out our sister site www.thejoyofcocktailmaking.com for tasty treats!