Margarita Mocktail

Why We Love This Recipe

• Non-alcoholic twist on a classic: A classic margarita is made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, usually with a salted rim. To replicate that orange flavor, we used orange juice instead of orange liqueur. We also add in a few other ingredients to bring more flavor to the cocktail in the absence of tequila.
• Margarita paradise: We absolutely love margaritas (try our Pineapple Margarita, Blueberry Margarita, or Blood Orange Margarita). They're super refreshing, easy to make, and always hit the spot! This mocktail version is no exception, recreating those same refreshing flavors with none of the alcohol.
• Quick and easy: With only 5 ingredients, these margarita mocktails are ridiculously easy to make.
• Alcohol free: This margarita mocktail is perfect for those who are abstaining, including expectant mothers, designated drivers, or anyone who simply prefers to skip the booze. It can also easily be turned into a regular margarita by adding tequila, so it's great for entertaining a crowd. Even without the liquor, it's totally delicious, so nobody is missing out!

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this margarita mocktail:

Ingredient Notes

• Citrus juice: You can use all lime juice or all lemon juice – we love the flavor of both for extra depth of flavor, so we used a mixture of the two. We always recommend using freshly squeezed citrus juice in cocktails!
• Agave: You can also sub 1:1 with simple syrup if you don't have agave on hand, although agave is most authentic in a margarita. Honey is another (non-vegan) option.
• Orange juice: Squeezing oranges is a bit of a hassle, so feel free to use store bought. If you've got the ambition to juice your own oranges, go ahead! It will really elevate the flavor of the cocktail. For a fun twist, try subbing regular oranges with blood oranges, tangerines, or mandarin oranges.
• Tequila alternative: This is completely optional as it may be tricky to find in your local store. We use this nonalcoholic tequila alternative from Ritual whenever we want to really replicate tequila flavor. Good news is, this margarita mocktail still tastes great without it! (We also love adding it to this tequila sunrise mocktail!)
• Kosher salt: We use kosher salt to salt the rim. Make sure you don't use table salt - the texture just isn't quite right. You can also use specifically branded margarita salt.
• Club soda: We used club soda, but tonic water or even sparkling water will definitely work in this margarita mocktail.

Instructions

(1) To rim the glass, run a lime wedge around the entire rim, or dip the rim in agave syrup, then dip in kosher salt to coat the rim.

Fill cocktail shaker half full with ice. Add lime juice, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup or agave, and non alcoholic tequila if you're using it.

(2) Shake well and pour into an ice-filled cocktail glass. Top with club soda, stir, and enjoy.

Tips and FAQs

• No cocktail shaker? Just add all the liquids except the club soda to a tall glass filled with ice, stir, and then top off with the soda.
• Tip for squeezing citrus: If you store your citrus in the refrigerator, be sure to give it a good roll against your counter for 10-15 seconds, or throw it in the microwave for ten seconds. This will help maximize the amount of juice you'll get out of your lemon or lime.
• Make ahead: Just combine the orange juice, lime juice, and tequila alternative (if using). When you're ready to serve, line a glass with a salt rim, pour over ice and top with the club soda.
• Garnishes: Completely optional, but feel free to garnish with a lime slice or wedge for that classic margarita look.
• Serving suggestions: This margarita mocktail has a sweet, bright flavor profile with a bit of acid, so it pairs well with refreshing recipes like vegan ceviche, al pastor tacos, black bean, mango and avocado salad, and light desserts like lemon cookies and blueberry lemon ice cream.

More Mocktail Recipes

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