This virgin margarita recipe is the perfect alternative for those who do not want to drink alcohol, or are taking a break from it. You can ditch the tequila and enjoy a mocktail that’s just as refreshing and delicious as the real deal! Learn how to make it here.

The mocktail I have for you today is an easy non-alcoholic margarita recipe that tastes like the most refreshing limeade. If you enjoy this drink, I suggest making a pitcher of it because you will be craving the bright citrus flavors all day long!

What Is A Margarita?

A margarita is a cocktail made of tequila, triple sec (dry orange liqueur such as Cointreau), lime juice, and served in a glass with salt on the rim. It can be served frozen, on the rocks (with ice), or straight up (with no ice). No one knows exactly where this drink originated from as there are countless folktales surrounding it.

What Is A Mocktail?

Also called a virgin cocktail or a zero proof drink, a mocktail is a non-alcoholic beverage made of sparkling water, fruit juice, a sweet syrup, and sometimes, cream. The first mention of the word mocktail appeared in 1916, according to Merriam-Webster, and is a blend of the words mock and cocktails.

ingredients for virgin margarita (mocktail)

Virgin Margarita Ingredients

Skip the margarita mix and make this drink from scratch. Not only will it taste significantly better and more refreshing, it will also give you a vitamin C boost!

Salt: You will need salt flakes or kosher salt to salt the rim of your glass. If you use table salt, be careful not to use too much as it may make the first few sips very salty.
Fresh lime wedge: One lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass and an extra one to use as a garnish.
Lime juice: Only use fresh lime juice for this recipe, not store bought. Since we are not using any alcohol it’s important that the citrus ingredients are as fresh as possible since they are at the forefront, flavor wise.
Lemon juice: The same goes for lemon juice – fresh is best.
Orange juice: You can use store bought orange juice but make sure it’s 100% real, or even better, freshly squeezed and bottled on the same day.
Agave syrup or simple syrup: Adding sugar is optional. If you like your margarita on the sour side, skip this ingredient. If you like it with a touch of sweetness, use agave nectar (syrup), simple syrup (scroll down to learn how to make it from scratch), or honey for a healthier option.
Ice cubes: Ice cubes are needed to chill the margarita glass and to add to the cocktail shaker.
Tonic water, club soda, or sparkling water: While a real margarita doesn’t have any fizzy bubbles, the virgin version tastes better with a splash of it.

How To Make A Virgin Margarita (Non-Alcoholic Margarita)

Scroll all the way down to the recipe card for the full recipe.

Start by prepping your ingredients.
Gather all of your kitchen tools and ingredients.
Cover a small plate with plenty of salt.
Take a lime wedge and run it across the rim of the glass to wet it.
Dip the rim of the glass in the salt so it’s covered with crystals.
Add a few ice cubes to your cocktail shaker and add the lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, and agave sugar.
Put the lid on the shaker and close it well. Shake vigorously for a few seconds until the shaker is very cold and collects condensation on the outside.
Take the cap off the lid and pour the drink into the glass, careful to avoid the salted rim.
Add a splash of tonic water and a lime wedge for garnish and serve.

Simple Syrup (Instructions)

Making simple syrup is very easy! It doesn’t take long and only two ingredients are needed – water and sugar.

To make the syrup:

Put equal amounts of sugar and water into a small saucepan.
Turn the heat to medium-low and keep stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
Turn the heat off and transfer the syrup to a jar or other glass container.
Close with a lid and refrigerate for up to one month.

What Can I Substitute For Tequila In a Virgin Margarita?

While this virgin homemade margarita recipe doesn’t have an ingredient to replace the tequila (I didn’t think it needed it), there are plenty of non-alcoholic tequila alternatives to choose from these days.

Here are some of the more popular brands:

Ritual Tequila Alternative: Made with blue agave flower, Mexican lime, tropical guava, cracked sea salt, and charred oak, this tequila alternative has grassy notes with a green pepper nose. It’s a very popular choice among mocktail drinkers.
Free Spirits The Spirit Of Tequila: This is an oaky, spicy, and earthy tequila alternative with less than .5% ABV, and made with all natural flavors. This brand was voted ‘best all around’ by Food 52.
Optimist Botanicals Smokey: Made with a blend of lapsang souchong, bitter red orange, clove, ginger, habanero, jasmine, and other floral aromas and spices, this is tequila alternative recreates the smokiness of mezcal to a tee.

Other Virgin Margaritas (Variations)

If you would like to try other fruity flavors, here are some easy ways to tinker with this margarita mocktail recipe:

Watermelon: 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons orange juice, pinch of salt, 1 cup seedless watermelon slices (rind removed). Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
Strawberry: 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon orange juice, 3/4 cup fresh strawberries, hulled, (or use frozen ones for a frozen margarita) 1 tablespoon agave syrup or honey. Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes.
Mango: 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of orange juice, 2 tablespoon cold water, 1 tablespoon agave nectar or sugar, 1/2 cup sliced mango (or use frozen ones for a frozen margarita). Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth.
Pineapple: 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, pinch of salt. Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes.
Frozen: To make a frozen virgin margarita, simply add the recipe ingredients to a blender along with a few ice cubes. Blend and adjust the consistency by adding more ice cubes, if necessary. Enjoy on a hot summer day!

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