Deliciously tart and refreshing, my Margarita Mocktail has the bright, fresh-squeezed citrus flavor of the real-deal, in non-alcoholic form. Sparkling water offers the perfect amount of lively fizz and a salted rim adds that irresistible sharp contrast that margaritas are known for!
Margaritas are a favorite of mine. This time of year, a Rhubarb Margarita is especially delightfully. So this Margarita Mocktail has been a great addition for those times when I, or any family or guests, just want something fresh and bright and celebratory, without the alcohol.
What Makes These Margarita Mocktails Work
Once I saw how well my Moscow Mule Mocktail went over, I knew that a virgin margarita was next on the list. It’s a blast to play around with flavors, testing until I get it just right. I hit the nail on the head with this mocktail recipe!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
- Sunny citrus. I swap the typical orange liqueur for freshly squeezed orange juice. When combined with the freshly squeezed lime of a Classic Margarita, it gives this drink a fantastic bright acidity.
- Agave flavor. I use agave syrup rather than another sweetener such as simple syrup. This gives a little nod to the tequila (made from the agave plant) that’s in the traditional margarita recipe.
- A touch of fizz and salt. Using Topo Chico makes this mocktail fizzy, which is always more fun! And Topo Chico mineral water has a touch of sodium, which adds a complementary, lightly savory flavor to this drink. I use Topo Chico in my Ranch Water cocktail, too.
- Budget-friendly + easy. Rather than buying pricy non-alcoholic spirits and mocktail mixes, I like inventing my own mocktails. For beginners, the easy citrus-reliant margarita is a great place to start.
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make mocktail margaritas at home. Scroll down to the printable recipe card to find the exact ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Salt – Use coarse salt for the rim of your margarita glass.
- Lime juice – Freshly squeezed juice is a must! It has a sassier, brighter, fresher flavor compared to bottled juice.
- Orange juice – Again, use freshly squeezed.
- Agave syrup – Light agave has a milder, more neutral flavor, while amber agave has a touch of caramel notes.
- Sparkling water – I use Topo Chico sparkling mineral water. It has fantastic carbonation, which I love. But feel free to use your own favorite plain mineral water or sparkling water.
- Lime wedge – For rimming the glass and for serving.
How to Make a Margarita Mocktail
You’re just a few minutes away from some awesome virgin margaritas!
- Salt the rim. Add the salt to a shallow plate or bowl. Rub the lime wedge along the rim of your glass and dip the rim into the salt.
- Mix the juices. Add ice to the halfway point of the glass. Then stir in the citrus juices and agave.
- Top it off. Pour in the Topo Chico and give a quick stir to combine.
- Finish. Squeeze additional lime juice over the top, then drop the lime wedge into the mocktail and serve.
Brenda’s Recommendations – Variations to TrY
There are many ways to put your own spin on this margarita mocktail recipe. Here’s some inspiration to get you started:
- Make citrus-infused salt. Pour the salt onto a shallow plate and add some fine lime or orange zest (or both). Rub the zest and salt between your fingers; this will release the oils from the zest and infuse the salt with flavor.
- Or make the salt spicy. Add chili powder to the salt or swap the salt for Tajín.
- Add jalapeno. I love a cocktail with a little burn, such as this Spicy Cucumber Margarita. Simply add one or two slices of fresh jalapeno to your glass and muddle them to release their juice.
- Experiment with different fruit flavors. Use my Watermelon Margarita or Strawberry Margarita as inspiration!
What to Serve With These Fabulous Mocktail Margs
Light, refreshing margaritas are made for pairing up with apps and meals. And the same is true of this mocktail version. Serve these drinks with tortilla chips and Shrimp Ceviche or Pineapple Salsa as an appetizer, or make it a meal with Fish Tacos.
Make a Pitcher for a Party
Want to make a big batch of these margarita mocktails? Here’s how it’s done.
- If you’re serving them all right away: Scale up the ingredients, give the pitcher a light stir, and pour over glasses with ice.
- If you’re planning on pouring in a few hours: Mix the juices and agave in a pitcher and store in the fridge. When ready to make the drinks, add the Topo Chico and give the pitcher a quick stir. Then pour into glasses with ice.
More Mocktails and Fun Party Drinks
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Pink Panther Mocktail
- Pina Colada (I include instructions to make alcohol-free.)
- Blueberry Basil Lemonade
Margarita Mocktail
Ingredients
- coarse salt, optional for salting the glass rim
- 1½ ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup
- 4 ounces Topo Chico sparkling mineral water, chilled
- 1 lime wedge
Instructions
- For a salted glass rim (optional): Fill a small shallow plate or bowl with coarse salt. Run the cut edge of the lime wedge around the rim of a glass, then dip the rim into the salt.
- For the margarita: Add ice to fill the glass half-way. Then pour in lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup. Stir vigorously for 20 seconds to chill. Top with Topo Chico and give a quick stir to incorporate (stir very briefly, to not break up the bubbles). Squeeze the lime wedge over the top and add it to the drink. Enjoy!
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