This virgin Margarita recipe is the perfect option when you want to offer non-alcoholic drinks at a party. Instead of buying a pricy tequila alternative, this non-alcoholic margarita relies on fresh fruit juice and club soda as an easy alternative. It’s also easy to taste and adjust as you go, with no cocktail shaker required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The key to this virgin margarita recipe is making a simple syrup with orange zest. This will act as the replacement for the orange liqueur that is used in classic Margarita recipes. I like to use agave nectar for this recipe since this drink is typically made with tequila, but honey will also work here. Paired with fresh lime juice and your favorite seltzer water (I like to use lime-flavored sparkling water for extra lime flavor) these virgin margaritas are easy to assemble.
How to Make a Virgin Margarita
To prepare the simple syrup, in a small saucepan combine the agave nectar, water, and the zest from a large orange. (Try to avoid the white pith of the orange for less bitterness.) Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and let the simple syrup cool for at least 30 minutes. If you can let it rest for 60 minutes, that’s even better for infusing the flavor. Arrange a fine mesh strainer over a glass storage jar, then pour the syrup through the strainer. It will catch the orange zest as the orange-flavored syrup goes into the storage container. Use the back of a spoon to press the zest against the strainer to remove any remaining syrup, then discard the zest. Secure a lid on the simple syrup and set it aside while you prepare the margarita mocktails. You can prepare this syrup up to 5 days in advance and store it in the fridge if you want to make it ahead for a party. To prepare the virgin margarita, run a lime wedge around the top of your margarita glass. Fill a small plate with flaky salt then turn the glass upside down and dip the top into the salt. The salt rim is optional; feel free to skip this step. Add 3 tablespoons of the homemade simple syrup to a glass along with 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. Top it off with a 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of still or sparkling water. (I highly recommend using lime-flavored sparkling water for this.) Stir well then taste the drink and make sure you like it. Add ice cubes before serving and garnish with a lime wedge, if desired. Enjoy it with a side of tortilla chips and salsa, or with your favorite tacos!
Make a Blended Margarita Mocktail
To make a blended drink, you’ll need to make a large enough batch so that your blender can run efficiently and break down the ice. Below you’ll find the smallest batch I recommend making, but you can double it for a larger pitcher. In a high-speed blender combine:
1/3 cup of lime juice 1/4 cup of orange juice 3 tablespoons of agave nectar 1 cup lime-flavored sparkling water 2 cups of ice
Secure the lid and blend until the mixture has a slushy texture. This will make 2 to 3 servings, depending on the size of your glasses. Serve it right away for the best flavor and texture. Looking for more mocktail recipes? Try my Mojito Mocktail for a mint and lime-flavored drink, or my Easy Mocktail, which is made with grapefruit juice and no simple syrup. If you try this margarita mocktail recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
