There was a time when mocktails were an afterthought - an obligatory menu inclusion for the non-drinker. But the tide has shifted. No longer a mere complement to the menu, these carefully crafted beverages have emerged as standalone expressions of creativity, mood, and memory.

 

At their best, mocktails capture a moment. They offer a taste of time and place - be it a golden-hour pause on the beach, a quiet interlude between spa treatments, or a sunlit lunch by the sea. They are no longer defined by what’s absent, but by everything they bring to the table: nuance, flavour, and intention.

 

What we found in Dubai’s mixology scene was clear: the mocktail has arrived - complete, considered, and worthy of its place on any menu.

Flavour, Not Formula

 

Creating a mocktail demands a different mindset. Without spirits to anchor the profile, flavour must lead. Texture, temperature, balance, and aroma all take on heightened importance. For Jumeirah’s mixologists, this opens up new space to experiment, drawing from the kitchen, the garden, and even the spice cabinet to shape each beverage.

 

Ingredients are selected not only for taste, but for how they make you feel - bright citrus to uplift, herbal infusions to ground, a whisper of spice to surprise. The result is something more than refreshing - it’s layered, expressive, and inventive.

 

Seasonal Thinking

 

Mocktails at Jumeirah follow the pace of the seasons. Lychee, white peach, mandarin, and coconut often appear in warmer months, while richer infusions or spice blends offer warm contrasts on the palate when the temperature cools. Some beverages celebrate global flavours, others draw from ancient trade routes.

 

At Bahri, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, seasonal teas and spice blends nod to the ancient Silk Road. These beverages are layered and aromatic, designed to adapt and surprise. Favourites include kumquat, pandan, lemongrass, and hibiscus, each one shaping mood as much as taste.

 

At Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the approach is even more exploratory. Here, sweet apple is brightened with curry, or tempered with yoghurt, creating unexpected combinations that feel instinctive once tasted.

 

 

Pairing with the Plate

 

Many mocktails are crafted with the table in mind. Their role is not only to accompany but to enhance, drawing out flavour or cleansing the palate between bites.

 

Spiced Indian lemonades, like the Shikanji Nimbu Pani, are paired with grilled seafood or light summer salads for their brightness and depth. At Bar Buci, the Pomzu brings a delicate balance - pomegranate, coconut water, and yuzu. Its citrus lift and soft tropical notes echo the Yellowfin Tuna Tataki, where seared tuna meets creamy avocado and shiitake vinaigrette.

 

These pairings aren’t incidental; they’re a continuation of the conversation happening on the plate.

 

What to Try This Summer

 

The classics may inspire, but what’s poured into the glass is anything but expected. This season, Jumeirah’s bars and beachside lounges offer a line-up of guest favourites, each defined by its own signature style.

 

At Zenzi Beach, the mock Mojito remains a staple: light, bright, and suited to Dubai’s year-round warmth. For something more tropical, Bahri’s Passion Route blends exotic fruit with citrus and a ginger sparkle, offering a vibrant lift.

 

Then there’s Madame at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab: cranberry, lychee purée, raspberry essence, lime, and egg white combine into something cool and velvety, elegant enough for the warmest afternoons. Golden Paradise continues the theme with pomegranate, lemongrass, lime, and ginger, topped with frothy coconut and finished with a single gold leaf.

 

And for something more delicate, Les Fleurs - inspired by an evening at French Riviera Beach - captures a fleeting moment of stillness and salt air. Floral and refined, a memory in a glass.

 

Inspired by Surroundings

 

Many of Jumeirah’s mocktails are rooted in the region itself, shaped by local ingredients and a deep cultural memory. These are beverages that speak of refreshment and ritual, designed for the climate and grounded in a sense of place.

 

At Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Printemp channels spring’s energy with berries, peach purée, lemon, and a hint of orange blossom. More than just fragrant, orange blossom holds a deeper significance in the region - a symbol of hospitality, celebration, and shared moments.

 

Both nostalgic and new, camel milk returns in Camel’s Bliss, looking to indigenous ingredients: a smooth blend of date syrup, pineapple, coconut purée, and cream. And at Bahri, the Ocean Wave mocktail blends Earl Grey, bergamot, basil, and citrus into a bright, sparkling drink. The name Bahri means “vast like the sea” in Arabic - a fitting match for this refreshing mix, best enjoyed with views over the Arabian Gulf. 

 

The Quiet Ritual

A well-made mocktail doesn’t announce itself. It simply fits - into the setting, the season, the moment. That might mean something sharp and citrusy to reset the palate, or something soft and creamy that slows the pace of a warm afternoon. Across Jumeirah, these beverages are created with the same attention as any signature pour, but they offer something else too, the freedom to enjoy without measure.

 

Discover the evolving collection of signature mocktails across Jumeirah’s destinations, crafted by expert mixologists, throughout our bars and restaurants in the UAE.