Craving a slightly-spiced, citrus beverage without the alcohol? This 15-minute Orange Mocktail is the perfect orange-y drink for you! Not only does it take only five minutes or less to stir up, it also has a fun, smokey, secret ingredient that makes this mocktail just as fun to make as it is delicious.

Close up of an orang mocktail in a wide bottom glass with a candied orange slice.

What’s that secret ingredient? You light a cinnamon stick on fire and let the smoke pour into the glass you use for this mocktail, which gives this pretty, orange drink a fun flair. This secret also gives the drink a hint of flavor you can’t get any other way.

In case you’re looking for some other sweet and tangy beverages, I have you covered there too. Give these 15+ Fruity Mocktail Recipes a try. Or maybe this Virgin Mojito Recipe in Five Minutes is exactly what you need.

What goes into this tasty beverage?

Only a few fun, simple ingredients make this tangy-sweet mocktail absolutely delicious. There’s also a secret, smokey ingredient that makes this recipe more fun and interesting.

Ingredients for and Orange Mocktail, including cinnamon sticks, oranges, a lemon, a small grater, zero proof rum, simple syrup, and spices

Oranges - Fresh-squeezed oranges are the best for this mocktail. You’ll also use an orange or a lemon along the rim of the glass and then coat it with sugar.
Simple syrup - I like to make this Simple Syrup Recipe (Easy!) myself, and it’s fantastic in this mocktail.
Non-alcoholic rum - This gives this mocktail a great flavor without the booze!
Cinnamon - Just a dash is perfect for this yummy drink.
Nutmeg - You only need a pinch to get the amazing spice level needed for this mocktail.
Sugar - You’ll use this for the rim of your glass to add that extra special touch.
Orange zest - Combine this with the sugar for a pretty (and tasty) decoration on the rim of your glass.
Cinnamon stick - This is my favorite part of the whole process! Use this to add delicious smoke to the glass before you add the liquids.
Candied orange slice - This makes a pretty garnish.

How to make an orange mocktail

This is one of my favorite drinks to make because it’s so fun and easy to achieve a pretty, spiced, and sweet beverage. And it will take you five minutes or less!

Zest the oranges and stir into the sugar, then pour the mixture onto a small plate.

Squeeze the three oranges into a mixing cup.

Add the simple syrup, non-alcoholic run, dash or cinnamon, and pinch of nutmeg to the fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Three step-by-step images to make an orange mocktail, including squeezing oranges, sugaring the rim of the glass, and pouring the drink in a glass filled with ice.

Prepare the glass by using a Hafen orange or lemon to smear a part of the rim, then dip into the sugar and orange zest mixture.

Light the end of a cinnamon stick on fire and place it on a plate and cover with the glass to let the smoke infuse the cup for one minute. Once you’re done this, flip it over, pace the cinnamon stick inside, and fill with ice.

Add the mocktail, garnish with candied orange slices, and enjoy!

A note about simple syrups

If you’re new to the glorious world of simple syrups, I’m about to share one of the most amazing treats with you. This will change your mocktail game forever! I like to have a few different flavors on hand for whenever I need a special drink.

There’s a reason they’re called simple syrups. Because they really are so simple to make. You can use just about any fruit juice to make them as well. In this recipe I use the most basic version, which is quite literally equal parts sugar and water boiled down to a syrup, because there’s already so much flavor with the orange juice.

Glass of orang liquid with a candied orange slice, resting on a wooden cutting board near oranges that are blurred in the background.

If you want to get even fancier with this drink or other beverages, check out these simple syrups!

Can I store this drink or make it ahead?

This recipe is best when fresh. However, you could refrigerate the orange juice and rum mixture until you're ready to serve. Then smoke the cinnamon in the glass and pour over ice.

Glass filled with and orange mocktail and a candied orange slice, resting on a round, wooden cutting board

A note about non-alcoholic rum

I don’t drink alcohol, and I like to share my creations with my kids. So, using zero proof rum is important to me. The non-alcoholic rum gives a layer and depth of flavor that I’ve been unable to achieve any other way in this recipe.

Of course, if you’d like to use alcoholic rum, by all means, go for it.

Bottle of zero proof rum on a round, wooden cutting board near candied orange slices to be used in an orange mocktail

If you’d like to try more of my recipes featuring non-alcoholic rum, try this 1-Minute Roy Rogers Mocktail or this Strawberry Mojito Mocktail.

I hope you love making this fun drink and sharing it with friends and family as much as I do.

If you need a few more non-alcoholic beverage ideas, give these a try!

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