Best Margarita Mocktail
You are going to LOVE this virgin margarita! Whether you are taking a break from alcohol, pregnant, or just cutting back, this mocktail will give you allllllll of the flavor and satisfaction, without the side effects you’re trying to avoid. But this isn’t a drink for kids; it actually tastes like the real thing.
This is not a margarita mocktail for kids!
Because it actually tastes like a real margarita! What makes it the best (IMO!)?
- FRESH ingredients – this is key to bright and high-quality flavor.
- DEPTH – The Ritual tequila alternative gives tequila flavor without the booze and this is often missing in many NA margaritas that feel like they are missing something. (Same with my mojito mocktail!)
😋 Seriously delicious: Zesty lime and orange with just the right sweetness and the bite of fake tequila, this margarita mocktail tastes like the real thing!
🍸 Zero-proof & festive: Great for parties, baby showers, or happy hour, essentially whenever you want something a little fun, without any alcohol.
🍹 Tastes like the real deal: This mocktail actually tastes like the real version, which is why I say it’s not for kids! (Most don’t taste like the real thing!)
💦 Refreshing & hydrating: This drink is so refreshing, full of fresh citrus flavor, and a touch of bubbles!
⏱️ Quick to make: Just shake, pour, and sip.
🌿 Easy to customize: Add fruit (I share specific ideas below), veggies (cucumbers make an especially hydrating drink), and spice to add a bit of heat.
Set yourself up with a few non-alcoholic margaritas, tortilla chips, a bowl of Chipotle corn salsa, shrimp ceviche, or cowboy caviar for a perfect afternoon.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to make this virgin margarita recipe: non-alcoholic tequila, fresh lime juice, orange juice, agave, soda water, and soda water.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: Want to add some spice to your mocktail? Add 1-2 slices of fresh jalapeño (more or less depending on how much spice you like) and muddle in cocktail shaker before adding the rest of the ingredients. There are more flavor additions listed below!
- Batch: If you’re serving these to a crowd, making a batch will make making individual drinks really easy! You can adjust the quantity depending on the number of drinks, but you would quadruple the recipe and pour everything into a mason jar or pitcher. Shake well to distribute the agave evenly. When it’s time to make a drink, pour out about 2/3 of a cup into a shaker with ice. Shake and pour into your serving glass over ice. Top with soda water if using and garnish.
- Variations: I have a lot of ideas for fruity and spicy margs below!
Virgin Margarita Mocktail
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This virgin margarita mocktail delivers all the flavor you love in fresh margaritas (zesty lime and a little sweetness) without the booze!
Ingredients
- 2 oz. tequila alternative (like Ritual)
- 1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. fresh orange juice
- 2 tsp. agave
- splash of soda water or club soda
- margarita salt (optional)
Instructions
- Salt rims of short glass and fill with ice.
- Combine tequila alternative, lime juice, orange juice, and agave in a cocktail shaker. Add ice cubes, shake well until frothy, and pour into glass over ice. Top with a splash of soda water and stir in.
Notes
- Flavored margaritas: See recipe ideas and additions below.
- Tequila alternative: Yes, we’re using FAKE tequila like zero-proof (non-alcoholic) Ritual Tequila Alternative. There are a number of tequila alternatives so use your favorite.
- Storage: This refreshing margarita mocktail is best served and enjoyed immediately.
- Ingredient notes: Use fresh citrus for the best flavor; it really does make a difference.
- Prep ahead: Juice the limes and oranges so the fresh juices are ready.
- Special tools: A citrus press, cocktail shaker, and soda stream are all helpful to make these margarita mocktails, but really most importantly, is the Ritual tequila or another alternative.
- Batch cocktails: If you’re serving these to a crowd, making a batch will make making individual drinks really easy! You can adjust the quantity depending on the number of drinks, but you would quadruple the recipe and pour everything into a mason jar or pitcher. Shake well to distribute the agave evenly. When it’s time to make a drink, pour out about 2/3 of a cup into a shaker with ice. Shake and pour into your serving glass over ice. Top with soda water if using and garnish.
Flavored Margarita Mocktail Ideas
Here are some ideas for simple ways you can add some more/different flavors to your mocktail:
- Cucumber – Muddle some fresh cucumber slices in the bottom of your rimmed glass or cocktail shaker, then prepare according to directions.
- Strawberry – Muddle some fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries in the bottom of your rimmed glass or cocktail shaker, then prepare according to directions.
- Blackberry – Muddle some fresh or frozen (thawed) blackberries in the bottom of your rimmed glass or cocktail shaker, then prepare according to directions.
- Watermelon -Muddle some fresh watermelon in the bottom of your rimmed glass or cocktail shaker, then prepare according to directions. You could also swap the orange juice for watermelon juice and prepare that way as well.
- Mango – Muddle some fresh and ripe mango in the bottom of your rimmed glass or cocktail shaker, then prepare according to directions. You could also swap the orange juice for mango juice.
- Spicy – Muddle some fresh jalapeño slices into the bottom of your glass or cocktail shaker, then prepare according to directions.
FAQs
A tequila alternative is a zero-proof tequila or a non-alcoholic version of tequila. So it’s not quite the same (obviously!) but it helps add depth and realistic flavor to mocktail margaritas like this one.
I love the Ritual tequila alternative (and I like their gin!) to give extra oomph to this mocktail recipe. Ritual describes the tequila as, “grassy flavor, smoky aroma and bright fire of tequila without the alcohol.” (Not sponsored, it’s just what I use and love!)
It’s not overly sweet like some margaritas, but has enough sweetness to balance out the lime juice. Feel free to adjust agave according to your personal preferences. I personally don’t love a really sweet drink (and it’s one of my most common complaints when it comes to mocktails!), and I think this one has a perfect balance.
I would advise against it as it will taste watered down, but if you prefer your margaritas blended, simply make a bit of a stronger drink and then blend with ice.
More Mocktail Recipes
If you like this virgin margarita recipe, you might also like some of these other mocktail recipes:
- Cranberry Mocktail Spritzer
- Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail
- Sleepy Girl Mocktail
- Minty Mojito Mocktail
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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