Virgin Margarita
by Sommer Collier — on Jan 14, 2026 My virgin margarita cocktail recipe is an absolute winner if you love the flavors of authentic margaritas, but want to skip the alcohol. It includes just 5 ingredients, like simple syrup and sparkling water, and makes a perfect non-alcoholic party mocktail, that’s deliciously sour and not too sweet, with a classic salt rim and slice of fresh lime, of course!
I love margaritas and have an exceptional classic homemade margarita recipe here on the site. However, there are times we could all use a break from alcohol. If you’re looking for a fresh, easy mocktail recipe to serve friends of all ages, or if you’re trying to cut down on alcohol, today’s virgin margarita recipe without tequila is just for you. It tastes just like a regular margarita cocktail, so you get the satisfaction of a sweet, citrusy beverage without the metabolism and hormone-disrupting effects of alcohol. Give it a try!
Table of Contents
Sommer’s Recipe Highlights
Big Flavor, No Booze – For me, it really is the taste of an authentic margarita that I enjoy most, and not necessarily the tequila. In this nonalcoholic recipe, I’m using basically the same ingredients as “the real thing,” like lime juice and simple syrup, so you still get that delightful sour punch of citrus with a sweet balance. Dip the rim of the glass in salt, and boom, the mocktail switch-a-roo is complete!
All-Ages Approved – Personally, I’d rather chat with my guests than spend all day checking IDs. These virgin margaritas help ease any stress about underage guests at larger gatherings. Plus, they are perfect for parties where alcohol isn’t always welcome, like baby showers and graduation celebrations.
Quick & Easy Cocktail – My virgin margs are made in proportions for one drink at a time, with no fancy bartending skills required. (Check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.) It takes less than 5 minutes to salt the rim, fill the glass, and stir. Then just repeat the amounts to make however many beverages you need in a snap.
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Lime juice – I always always use fresh-squeezed lime juice when making drinks (or anytime I use lime without actually cooking it.) Bottled juice tastes weird and artificial, even if it is technically made from real limes.
- Orange juice – Here, I’m not so picky. If you’ve got the juicer out, then sure, go ahead and squeeze some fresh OJ. But pulp-free orange juice from a bottle works great.
- Simple syrup – I use plain simple syrup in this drink to let the citrus flavors really shine. PS, simple syrup is just a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water, heated to dissolve the sugar. You can buy it or make it before starting. If you want to change things up and really boost those flavors, I suggest using a lime or orange syrup.
- Sparkling soda – Again, you can go plain or lean into the citrus taste and use lime-flavored bubbly soda water. Or give the virgin margarita a bit of bite and use club soda, which is bubblier than sparkling soda and has a sharp, almost salty flavor.
How to Make
Find the full ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Salt the Rim – This is an optional step for some, but for others (myself included), a good margarita – even a virgin one – simply must have salt around the rim. To get it right, I first put about a tablespoon of syrup into one shallow, wide dish. Then I add plenty of margarita salt into a second shallow dish. I carefully dip the rim of each glass into the syrup, twisting it around so that the full edge of the glass is coated. Moving quickly so the syrup doesn’t drip or dry, I dip the rim into the salt and twist to get those little flecks of margarita salt all the way around.
Fill ‘er Up – Next, each glass gets filled halfway with ice. I prefer to use small cubes or crushed ice, so the drinks stay cold and I’m not getting a mound of giant cubes sliding into my face every time I take a sip.
I measure out and pour in the fresh lime juice, orange juice, and simple syrup.
Then I pour in the sparkling water and stir the drink with a swizzle stick. Sometimes, when the ice shifts around, it causes the volume of liquid to drop (disclaimer: I’m not a scientist and have no idea what is actually happening here). So I’ll add a bit more bubbly water to top off the glass.
Garnish & Serve – I add a thin slice of lime to each glass just before serving for the final “wait, does this seriously not have alcohol in it?” touch.
Cheers!
Expert Tip
The secret to a perfect virgin margarita cocktail is to use just the right ratio of quality ingredients. Too much juice and it’ll taste like, well, juice. Too much simple syrup and all you get is a sugar bomb. I use a 2-2-2 ratio of juices, syrup, and soda to create a drink that is bright and refreshing, with a balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.
And again, salting the rim really makes a huge difference!
Serving Suggestions
It doesn’t matter if I’m making my virgin margarita mocktail recipe for a party or personal snacking, chips with salsa and guacamole dip are guaranteed to be involved. If you are looking for a great salsa recipe, or two, here are some of my top picks:
- Roasted Tomato Salsa
- Homemade Pico de Gallo
- Grilled Chipotle Peach Salsa or Peach Mango Habanero Salsa – both are perfect for summer!
- Tomatillo Avocado Salsa Verde
Frequently Asked Questions
You can certainly swap simple syrup with agave, if you prefer. But honestly, I’m not a big fan. Agave is thicker than simple syrup and has a distinct flavor that is much sweeter. While it pairs well with alcohol in margaritas to balance the taste of strong tequila, I find it a bit too much in these mocktails.
If you do decide to use agave, keep in mind that its thickness makes it a bit harder to fully stir in with the other ingredients, and you should use about half as much as you would with simple syrup.
Heck yeah, let’s add some heat! You can add slices of jalapeño (or habanero), with or without the seeds (keeping the seeds will make it much spicier), right on top of the drink as a garnish. Or, for a mellow, well-blended taste, muddle a few jalapeño slices (AKA smoosh them) into the simple syrup, to release all the spicy goodness. Then use a small spoon to scoop out the squished pieces before using the simple syrup in the beverages.
Sure, but don’t mix everything together in advance. I like to combine lime juice, orange juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher or jar a few hours ahead of time and keep it refrigerated. This is especially handy when I am hosting a large party. Then I prep each glass with salt and ice, pour in the pre-made mixture, and finish each virgin margarita with sparkling soda as they are being served.
More Drink Recipes
Virgin Margarita
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces simple syrup
- 2-4 ounces lime flavored sparkling water or club soda
- Optional garnishes: Fresh lime wedges or slices, margarita salt for rims
Instructions
- Optional Margarita Garnish: If you want salt rims on your glasses, pour a tablespoon of additional simple syrup on a shallow plate. Dip the top rim of the glass in the simple syrup, then dip it in margarita salt. Set aside.
- Fill the glass halfway full of ice. Add the freshly squeezed lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and 2 ounces of lime-flavored sparkling water. Stir well to combine. If needed, add an additional ounce or two of sparkling water to top off the glass.
- Garnish with a lime slice or wedge and serve immediately!
