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You are here: Home / Recipes / Drinks

The Best Margarita Mocktail

By Susie Weinrich · Date Jan 18, 2022· 4 Comments · May contain affiliate links.

pinterest image for margarita mocktail with text overlay
pouring tonic into a mock margarita
pinterest image for margarita mocktail with text overlay
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There are a few Margarita Mocktail recipes around, but let me tell you this will be the best one you will find! This virgin margarita tastes pretty darn close the real thing (and maybe even a little better). Whether you’re participating in Dry January, you are trying to cut back on the drinks, you’re pregnant, you’re not quite 21, or you just don’t drink, this is a mocktail recipe you can enjoy ANY time!

a clear glass with a mock margarita with a salt rim and lime wheel

This Virgin Margarita is perfectly balanced with fresh citrus flavors including lime and orange, a touch of sweetness from agave, and a pinch of kosher salt. That all gets topped with some tonic water, giving it the perfect margarita tang!

When you are ready for the real thing, check out this Classic Margarita on the Rocks or any of the tequila cocktails on Mom’s Dinner!

Table of Contents hide
1 Ingredients
2 The Secret’s in the Tonic
3 How to Make a Virgin Margarita- Step by Step
4 More Non Alcoholic Options
5 Margaritas (with alcohol this time)
6 Did you make this recipe?
7 Margarita Mocktail Recipe + Video

Ingredients

Grab these 5 ingredients and shake yourself up a delicious Non Alcoholic Margarita.

Ingredients to make a virgin margarita

Fresh Juices – definitely squeeze fresh juice; lime and orange. It really makes a big difference, giving you a really fresh and tasty mocktail.

Kosher Salt – this is NOT the same as table salt or iodized salt. You will NOT want to rim your mock margarita with table salt. Kosher salt is a courser salt that has a MUCH milder and smoother saltiness.

We really recommend Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt… it is like salt snow! You will LOVE it!

Agave – adds a nice flavor that simple syrup won’t add. Some recipes call for maple syrup, but I really don’t want my margarita to taste like pancakes! Agave is the perfect option here.

I do like to use an agave that is lighter in color. It has a milder flavor.

Tonic Water – tonic water is a carbonated and lightly sweetened water that has quinine added, giving it a little bit of a bitter flavor. See the section below why this is an important addition to your Mocktail Margarita!

The Secret’s in the Tonic

A lot of nonalcoholic margaritas call for club soda. But I am telling you using Tonic Water in your Mock Margarita is the secret ingredient to getting it JUST RIGHT.

The quinine added to tonic water creates the perfect salty-bitterness that mimics a traditional margarita and tequila perfectly!

margarita mocktail on a tray

Even if you think you don’t like tonic, definitely use it in this cocktail. The bitterness of tonic is perfectly balanced by the agave and fresh juices.

How to Make a Virgin Margarita- Step by Step

Start by prepping your drinking glass with a salt rim;

  • Place kosher salt on a flat plate.
  • Run a wedge of lime around the edge of your glass.
  • Dip the rim of your glass in the salt, making sure it sticks.
  • Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
Dipping a glass rim into kosher salt

Make the Margarita Mocktail in a shaker;

  • Fill the cocktail shaker ⅓ full with ice. (you can also use a mason jar if you don’t have a shaker)
  • Measure in the lime juice, orange juice, agave syrup and pinch of kosher salt.
  • Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
fresh lime juice being poured in a shaker
fresh orange juice being poured in a shaker
pouring agave syrup in a shaker

Assemble Your Drink;

  • Strain the Zero Proof Margarita into the prepared glass.
  • Top with 3 oz. of tonic water.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.
straining a non alcoholic margarita into a glass
pouring tonic into a mock margarita
placing a lime wheel on a virgin margarita

More Non Alcoholic Options

  • a pitcher of Christmas Punch
    Christmas Punch (with or without alcohol)
  • lemonade in a pitcher
    Perfect Fresh Lemonade
  • Cranberry Punch in a pitcher
    Cranberry Punch
  • up close photo of a glass of watermelon juice
    Refreshing Watermelon Juice

Margaritas (with alcohol this time)

When you are ready to have a Margarita with alcohol, here are some great recipes:

  • an orange margarita in a glass with an orange wedge
    Perfect Orange Margarita
  • a glass of roasted strawberry margarita garnished with salt and berries
    Roasted Strawberry Margaritas
  • blueberry margarita cocktail in a glass with a lime wheel and fresh blueberries
    Blueberry Margarita
  • pineapple jalapeno spicy margarita in a glass with jalapenos to the side
    Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita
  • a salt rimmed glass with a classic margarita garnished with a lime
    Classic Margarita on the Rocks
  • pineapple margarita in an etched glass, garnished with a pineapple wedge
    Perfect Pineapple Margarita
  • pomegranate margarita in a tall glass with orange and arils
    Pomegranate Margarita
  • Apple Cider Margarita Cocktail in a glass with apple slice and cinnamon sitcks
    Spiced Apple Cider Margarita

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

💛💛💛💛💛

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→
mock margarita in a bodega glass with salt on the rim and a lime wheel

Margarita Mocktail Recipe + Video

A deliciously flavored and fresh Margarita Mocktail recipe made with fresh citrus juices, agave, kosher salt and tonic. It mimics a traditional margarita PERFECTLY!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 63kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker (in a jam you can use a mason jar with a lid!)
  • 10-12 oz glass – see notes*

Ingredients

  • 2 oz fresh lime juice
  • .5 oz orange juice
  • .5 oz agave syrup - – reduce to .25 oz for a more tart drink (see notes (we like an agave that is lighter in color, it tends to have a milder flavor)
  • 3 oz tonic water - *see notes
  • healthy pinch of kosher salt - highly recommend Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt!

Garnish

  • kosher salt & lime wedges

Instructions
 

  • Pour some kosher salt on a flat plate. Wet the rim of a glass with a lime wedge or dipping it in juice or agave.
  • Dip the rim of the glass in the kosher salt, making sure it sticks. Fill the glass with ice, set aside.
  • To make the Margarita Mocktail fill a cocktail shaker ¼ full of ice. Pour in 2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice, .5 oz fresh squeezed orange juice, .5 oz agave syrup (less for a more tart mocktail), and a pinch of kosher salt.
  • Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
  • Strain into your prepared glass.
  • Top with 3 oz tonic water. Give it a little stir.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

Tonic Water – ONE of the secrets to a really good Mock Margarita is in the tonic water! ((Believe it or not I really don’t like tonic water, but it is essential in this drink!)) So don’t sub soda water or club soda for the tonic.
The quinine added to the tonic gives the cocktail a salty and  slightly bitter flavor that mimics a traditional margarita PERFECTLY!!!  
Favorite Glass!!! – I LOVE these 11 oz Bodega Glasses from World Market. They are a sleek design and perfect for Margaritas. You can also find something similar on Amazon, check out these Bodega Glasses. 
Traditional Margarita – If there comes a time that you want a Margarita with Tequila, pop over to this Margarita on the Rocks.
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Serving: 1drink | Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Comments

    5 from 6 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. CCD says

    June 20, 2024 at 5:07 pm

    5 stars
    Super easy and super yum! Very refreshing and feels like I am drinking the real thing.

    Reply
  2. Whitney says

    May 24, 2023 at 6:17 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this after a bad experience with non alcoholic tequila, bleh. Don’t buy it! Just buy tonic water for much less $$, 😂. The tonic water really does do the trick, I haven’t liked mock margaritas with just soda water because they are just missing something, and the tonic water addition is definitely the secret ingredient!

    Reply
  3. Michele says

    January 14, 2023 at 2:57 pm

    5 stars
    Soooo tasty. I had to use soda, I cannot drink tonic because the quinine triggers my vertigo.

    Reply
    • Susie Weinrich says

      January 15, 2023 at 8:35 am

      WOW!! I get vertigo too. I didn’t know foods could trigger it. So glad you tried it with soda instead. Cheers!

      Reply
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Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

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