Citrus Collins Mocktail - Non-Alcoholic Tom Collins

Published: February 20, 2026
Anna SokolAnna Sokol
Categories: Juices, Mocktails, Breakfasts & Brunches
Tags: Summer, Brunch, Cocktail, Party, Non-Alcoholic, Mocktail, Drinks
A bright, refreshing Citrus Collins Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Tom Collins) in tall Collins glasses. Visible ingredients: lemon wheels, ice, clear club soda bubbles, pale yellow lemon mixture, maraschino cherries and a sprig of mint. Style: classic cocktail/mocktail photography, crisp and airy, modern American bar presentation on a wooden tray with a clean background. High-end food and drink magazine quality, natural soft lighting, shallow depth of field. IMPORTANT: No text, no labels, no captions, no words on the image. Pure food photography only.

Virgin Collins

This Virgin Collins is my go-to when I want the bright, effervescent charm of a Tom Collins without the booze. Fresh lemon juice, a touch of simple syrup, and plenty of bubbly club soda make a drink that's light, lift-y, and endlessly sipable. It feels celebratory but easy—perfect for warm afternoons, brunches, or when friends drop by.

I love how simple it is to scale and to tweak: add a splash of non-alcoholic botanical spirit for extra depth, or swap in grapefruit for a pink twist. Make the simple syrup ahead, keep everything chilled, and you can mix a pitcher in minutes. Serve it tall with a lemon wheel and cherry and watch everyone reach for a second.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
  • 3 cup Cold club soda
  • 16 pieces Ice cubes
  • 4 oz Optional non-alcoholic botanical spirit (e.g., Seedlip)
  • 4 pieces Lemon wheels (for garnish)
  • 4 pieces Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
  • 4 pieces Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

Instructions

  1. If you don't have simple syrup ready, make it first: combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stir until sugar dissolves, then cool to room temperature.

  2. In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice and cooled simple syrup. Stir to combine. If using the non-alcoholic botanical spirit, add it now and stir.

  3. Fill four tall Collins glasses with about 4 ice cubes (or 4 oz/half a cup of ice each).

  4. Divide the lemon-syrup mixture evenly between the glasses (about 2 tbsp lemon mixture per glass for a brighter sip, or pour more to taste).

  5. Top each glass with about 6 oz (3/4 cup) cold club soda. Gently stir once to combine and keep the bubbles.

  6. Garnish each glass with a lemon wheel, a maraschino cherry, and a mint sprig. Serve immediately with a straw or stirring spoon.

Tips & Notes

  • Taste as you go: adjust sweetness by adding more simple syrup or more lemon juice for extra tartness.
  • Make the simple syrup ahead and chill it — the drink comes together in seconds when everything is cold.
  • For a floral twist, swap half the simple syrup for elderflower syrup or add a light splash of non-alcoholic botanical spirit.