Virgin Margarita Recipe (non-alcoholic mocktail)

Treat yourself to a refreshing virgin margarita! We set off the classic citrusy flavor and salted rim with a kick from our secret ingredient.

Keeping the classic lime flavor and salt rim of traditional margaritas, then added a kick that gives this non-alcoholic option the perfect amount of bitterness. We love a Texas-style margarita with a splash of orange juice, so we incorporated OJ into our base. But the secret ingredient for a real tang and bite similar to alcohol is a little more unexpected. It’s grapefruit juice!

Ditch the designated driver! Pin these delicious drinks to your favorites board on Pinterest and come back when you’re on the rocks and need a non-alcoholic option! 

Hot summer days are the best reasons to sip on a refreshing margarita. And mocktail recipes make a great option for kids and non-drinkers alike! Our easy virgin margarita recipe also works as an ideal beverage during Dry January or Sober October.

To see our other non-alcoholic recipes checkout our Strawberry Lemonade and 4th of July Layered Drinks.

FAQs:

What are the ingredients in a margarita?

• The classic drink recipe for a margarita contains three parts tequila, two parts triple sec, and one part lime juice. Margaritas are usually served with salt on the rim of the glass and garnished with lime.

What can I use in mocktail recipes instead of alcohol?

• Many companies make non-alcoholic spirits that taste like the real thing with none of the alcohol. Spiritless, Ritual, and Three Spirit are just a few examples. On the other hand, you can use bitter, tangy, or spicy ingredients to mimic the alcoholic flavor. Try ginger, strong tea, chili, grapefruit, olive brine, or even vinegar.

Supplies for our easy virgin margarita recipe:

• Pitcher
• Liquid measuring cups
• Spoon
• Funnel (optional, but these come in so handy!!!)

Virgin Margarita

Ingredients for our margarita mocktail recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 cup grapefruit juice
• 9 oz frozen limeade concentrate
• 3 cups lemon-lime soda
• lime wedges
• margarita salt
• lime wheels for garnish

Directions for making an alcohol-free margarita:

1. In a pitcher, mix the orange juice, grapefruit juice, and limeade concentrate with a spoon until completely blended.

2. Prepare the glass for salting by circling a lime wedge around the rim. 

3. Turn the glass upside down and place directly into the margarita salt.

4. Just before serving, gently stir in lemon-lime soda.

5. Pour over ice cubes and top it off with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Garnish with mint and a lime wheel. 

Variations and substitutions:

• Use Tonic water or club soda instead of lemon-lime soda. To compensate for the sugar in the soda, try adding simple syrup, agave nectar or maple syrup
• Use a cocktail shaker to chill the drink, then strain out the ice and serve.
• Blend in the ice and make it a frozen margarita. You may need to add a little more sweetness or citrus because the ice will tame the flavors.
• I have a friend who adds pickle juice to her margaritas. I lack the bravery or desire to try this, but apparently, it’s a thing and a lot of people love it!

Tips and Tricks:

• Place a funnel into the glass before pouring and avoid disturbing the salt rim on your glass.
• You don’t need special margarita salt for your rim. Kosher salt, coarse salt, and sea salt all work just as well.
• Make your garnishes ahead of time by skewering them with decorative toothpicks. This speeds up the serving process a lot!

This perfect drink adds a really fun and delicious twist to your standard virgin cocktails! And I love that you can get all these simple ingredients from the grocery store and then whip it up in minutes.

You’ll love the tart flavors of this fun drink, especially on a hot day! Plus this recipe works for the whole family, or as an option if some of your party guests don’t drink.

This mocktail recipe totally rocks, right? Let us know by giving it a 5-star rating and spreading the sweet and tangy goodness on Facebook. Don’t forget to pin the mouthwatering image to your favorites board on Pinterest, then come back when you need some delicious party drinks with none of the alcohol!