Sober Never Tasted So Good at The Summer Mocktail Mix-Off in Sioux Falls
Presented by Health Connect of South Dakota at the Mosaic Arts and Events Center, Sioux Falls, SD • July 10, 2026
When a Last-Minute Invitation Becomes the Perfect Start to the Evening
There’s something uniquely exciting about a last minute invitation. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that never make it onto your calendar until the day of, and that was exactly the case for me this past Friday evening. A family from my Gospel Community mentioned that their young daughter had entered the annual Summer Mocktail Mix-Off hosted by Health Connect of South Dakota. Since the event happened to be taking place directly across the street from The Levitt, where I was already planning to spend the evening covering a concert, there really wasn’t any reason not to stop by.
The invitation checked multiple boxes for me. It gave me the chance to support friends from church, experience a local community event I had never attended before, and perhaps most exciting from a photography perspective, experiment with an entirely new subject. While I’ve photographed several live music events, drinks have never crossed my mind to be in the sight of my camera lens. It sounded like the perfect opportunity to broaden my portfolio before heading over to photograph live music later that evening.
The Perfect “Pregame” Before the Concert
With camera bag slung over my shoulder, I made the short walk to the Mosaic Arts and Events Center. Located only a couple of minutes from The Levitt, it made for an ideal “pregame” before the night’s concert festivities.
The Summer Mocktail Mix-Off is one of two annual competitions hosted by Health Connect of South Dakota, with events taking place during both the winter and summer months. The purpose is refreshingly simple: demonstrate that delicious, creative beverages don’t require alcohol to be enjoyable. Instead, participants craft elaborate non-alcoholic drinks that can be served at celebrations, family gatherings, or simply enjoyed on a warm summer afternoon without any of the stereotypical consequences associated with alcohol.
As someone who has been sober for nearly three years, the mission behind the event immediately connected with me. It wasn’t about taking something away from people. It was about showing that choosing not to drink doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, creativity, or fun.
Seven Contestants, Seven Completely Different Creations
Walking through the doors, I was greeted by a large room buzzing with conversation and anticipation. Seven contestant stations lined the room, each showcasing not only the ingredients that went into their mocktail but also decorations that reflected the personality and theme behind each creation.
Some tables were elegantly simple while others transformed their space into miniature themed displays complete with colorful signage, tropical decorations, and carefully arranged garnishes. Before tasting a single drink, it was obvious these competitors had invested considerable time preparing for the evening.
Naturally, I made a beeline for the station belonging to my friends’ family. Their daughter proudly stood behind the table while dad handled some of the pouring duties and mom kept their energetic ten month old occupied nearby. Watching the entire family work together made the competition feel less like a contest and more like a community celebration.
It was impossible not to smile seeing the excitement on the young contestants’ face as attendees sampled their creation.
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More Than Just Drinks
Before diving into the mocktails themselves, it’s worth mentioning that the event offered much more than simply sipping beverages.
Recognizing that people would need something to do while judges finalized their scores, organizers created several family friendly activities throughout the venue. Near the back of the room, children gathered around arts and crafts tables where they could create colorful butterfly scratch art or assemble bright parrots to take home as souvenirs.
For those who preferred performing rather than crafting, karaoke provided another source of entertainment. Every so often someone would step up to the microphone, adding another layer of laughter and energy to an already lively atmosphere.
These additions transformed the competition from a tasting event into a full evening experience that welcomed attendees of every age. Whether you came for the drinks, to cheer on a contestant, or simply to spend time with friends, there was always something happening.
Serious Competition With Real Stakes
While the atmosphere remained fun and relaxed, there was no mistaking that this was still a genuine competition.
The contestants weren’t simply volunteering recipes for others to enjoy. They were competing for three cash prizes that rewarded the creativity and execution of their mocktails. Third place would receive $150, second place $300, and the grand prize winner would take home an impressive $500.
Calling the competition “stiff” would be an understatement.
Each drink tasted like the result of weeks of experimentation rather than something mixed together the night before. Flavor combinations were carefully balanced, presentation was polished, and garnishes elevated each drink into something that looked worthy of a restaurant menu.
It quickly became apparent that judging this competition would be no easy task.
Tasting Our Way Through the Competition
Sampling all seven mocktails was easily one of the highlights of the evening.
Each drink possessed its own personality and flavor profile. Some leaned toward bright citrus notes while others embraced tropical flavors or fresh herbs. Every contestant managed to create something distinctly different from everyone else, making it impossible to compare them on a single standard.
Once everyone had worked their way around the room, attendees were invited to cast their ballots for the People’s Choice Award. While this honor didn’t include any prize money, it arguably carried just as much significance. Knowing that your fellow community members selected your drink as their favorite provides a unique sense of accomplishment that can’t necessarily be measured with a cash prize.
Watching people discuss their favorites around the room made it clear there was no consensus. Everyone seemed to have discovered a different drink they loved.
Celebrating the Winners
Eventually, the judges returned with the official results.
Third place went to Mom Juice, a refreshing blend inspired by the creator’s favorite drink during their recent pregnancy. Combining simple syrup, lime, mango nectar, and vibrant dragon fruit, the colorful beverage earned its creator a well-deserved $150 prize.
Second place belonged to perhaps the most creatively named entry of the evening, My Basil’s Blue Berrylicious for Ya Babe. While the title required almost as much breath as making the drink itself, the combination of fresh blueberries, basil, and complementary ingredients created something that resembled a classic mojito without the alcohol. Its crisp, refreshing profile secured the $300 second-place prize.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
As the grand prize winner was announced, cheers erupted from our corner of the room. The very reason I had attended the event in the first place had just claimed first place. My friends’ daughter had created Keylime Cloud, a mocktail inspired by what she imagined Florida would taste like.
Featuring key lime, pineapple, and what was easily my favorite finishing touch, toasted coconut, the tropical inspired drink impressed the judges enough to earn the $500 grand prize. Watching the family’s excitement unfold was every bit as rewarding as tasting the drink itself.
The most interesting moment of the awards ceremony came with the announcement of the People's Choice Award, which differed entirely from the judges' top three selections. That honor went to a mocktail called The Baby Bump, a refreshing blend of lavender infused with fresh mint leaves that clearly inspired those in attendance. It was a fun reminder that while the judges evaluated each drink on specific criteria, the crowd simply voted for the one they enjoyed the most, adding another layer of excitement and community involvement to the competition.
A Reminder That Community Can Be Found Anywhere
Looking back on the evening, I’m incredibly grateful that the spontaneous invitation found its way into my inbox.
What began as a quick stop before a concert became one of the most enjoyable community events I’ve attended this summer. It combined creativity, family fun, friendly competition, and meaningful conversations into an event that felt welcoming from the moment I walked through the doors.
From a photography standpoint, I also appreciated the opportunity to challenge myself with a completely different subject matter. Photographing carefully crafted beverages requires a very different eye than capturing musicians beneath colorful stage lights, and it was a refreshing change of pace that stretched my creative muscles before the concert to follow even began.
Most importantly, the Mocktail Mix-Off demonstrated that gatherings centered around great drinks don’t have to revolve around alcohol. Instead, they can celebrate creativity, hospitality, and community while promoting healthier choices that everyone can enjoy.
If you’re looking for a unique local event, I highly recommend keeping an eye on future Mocktail Mix-Offs hosted by Health Connect of South Dakota. Whether you’re interested in entering your own recipe, supporting someone competing, or simply spending an evening sampling creative beverages, it’s an event that’s well worth adding to your calendar.
And who knows? Sometimes the best nights begin with an invitation you never saw coming.
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