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This virgin margarita mocktail recipe has all the tangy flavor of a classic margarita without the tequila! Try my secret ingredient that makes this non-alcoholic mocktail so satisfying.
Craving a margarita but don’t want the alcohol? Try my virgin margarita mocktail recipe! This one is so tasty, it’s become a fan favorite: tangy and refreshing, with that classic salt rim.
The best part is my surprise ingredient, which brings a funky flavor that’s reminiscent of tequila! I love making this non alcoholic spin on my classic margarita recipe when I’m craving a refreshing citrusy drink without the booze: it’s great for guests who don’t drink alcohol, pregnant women, or anyone craving a mocktail recipe!
5 Star Reader Review
“My sis-in-law made this yesterday and it was FANTASTIC! We were all shocked at how much it did taste like a margarita.” -Alex
Ingredients in a Virgin Margarita Mocktail
Here’s how to make everyone’s favorite cocktail into a margarita mocktail! The classic definition of a margarita is tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Often a zero-proof margarita tastes just like lime juice and soda water, and I wanted to create something more interesting. My husband Alex had the perfect idea: pickle juice! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice should be squeezed from a lime; avoid bottled juice since it has compromised flavor.
- Lemon juice: Using lemon juice along with the fresh lime adds nuance to the citrus, which is helpful in a mocktail since there is no alcohol.
- Tonic water: Tonic water has a slight sweet and bitter flavor, which also adds complexity. I recommend using tonic water instead of club soda, because of those subtle flavors.
- Maple syrup or simple syrup: Just a bit of sweetener to balances the tartness of the citrus.
- Pickle juice: Using the juice from a pickle jar adds to add the tequila “funk” to the flavors in this zero proof cocktail! It really works. A good substitution is olive juice.
Why Pickle Juice Works
Pickle juice adds intrigue to the flavor in this non alcoholic virgin margarita recipe, making it taste like more than just fruit juice! In my recipe testing, I found it tastes even better than a non-alcoholic tequila.
It adds a briny funk that makes you feel like there’s a little alcohol in it, but it’s not so much that it’s noticeable! Of course, you can omit if it weirds you out. A good substitute is olive juice works, which works in a similar way.
Ways to Serve This Mocktail
This margarita mocktail is incredibly versatile. Here’s how I serve it in different situations:
For taco night: I make a big batch (multiply the recipe by 6-8) and serve it in a pitcher alongside black bean tacos or fish tacos.
For brunch: It’s a fun alternative to mimosas. It’s great with breakfast tacos or huevos rancheros.
For summer parties: I set up a mocktail bar with this recipe as the base, plus options to make it spicy (jalapeño slices) or fruity (muddled strawberries).
As a gateway to other mocktails: Once people try this and realize mocktail recipes can actually be delicious, they’re usually open to trying my virgin mojito mocktail or virgin piña colada.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
I don’t recommend making this virgin margarita ahead because of the tonic water: but you can prep a few things in advance!
Pitcher prep: Make an 8-serving pitcher of all ingredients except tonic water: use 1 cup lime juice, ½ cup lemon juice, 2 tsp simple syrup and 1 teaspoon pickle juice. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When serving, pour approximately 2 oz of pitcher mixture into a glass and top with 3 oz tonic water.
You can also prepare your salt-rimmed glasses ahead of time.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Just prepare the mix without ice and tonic water and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, add ice and fresh lime wedges.
Yes! Muddle a few jalapeno slices in the shaker with your other ingredients for a kick. Start with 1 or 2 slices and adjust to your spice preference.
Classic options include lime wedges or a sprinkle of coarse salt or margarita salt on the rim. Get creative with herbs like basil or mint leaves, or even a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning!
Virgin Margarita Mocktail (So Good!)
This virgin margarita recipe tastes as good as the real thing! Try the secret ingredient that makes this non-alcoholic mocktail so satisfying.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Mocktail
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ounce* fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon maple syrup or simple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon pickle juice (or more to taste)*
- 3 ounces tonic water
- For the garnish: Lime wheel
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of flaky sea salt (or for a festive look, use Margarita Salt).
- In the serving glass, stir together the lime juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and pickle juice. Add the tonic water and ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.
Notes
*Pickle juice is the liquid from a pickle jar, and recommended for using in this recipe: it adds just the right funky flavor to mimic tequila. Olive juice also works in a pinch!
To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
Pitcher prep: Make an 8-serving pitcher of all ingredients except tonic water: use 1 cup lime juice, ½ cup lemon juice, 2 tsp simple syrup and 1 teaspoon pickle juice. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When serving, pour 1 ¾ to 2 oz of pitcher mixture into a glass and top with 3 oz tonic water.
These are delicious! And not just a summer drink. I was skeptical but they turned out fabulous. I did use more pickle juice mainly because I read the recipe wrong lol but it worked great. I did make them a little ahead of time and that worked fine. These will be a favorite and they ae healthy!
Dill pickle or bread and butter pickle?.Linda
Dill.
Do you use dill pickle or sweet pickle juice? sounds great, I want to try this.
Dill!
This shocked me with how tasty it was- totally had the super sour marg taste! Definitely start with the 1/8 tsp pickle juice; I personally found 1/4 was too much. Also, I recommend rimming the glass with margarita salt. A+ recipe!
Hello!
Wondering if these could be made ahead of time and recommendations for how best to do that? TIA!
You could mix everything but the tonic water up to an hour ahead, but any more than that and it would start to lose flavor.
I’m trying to find a way to make a non alcoholic tequila (not margarita). I’m thinking Tabasco, lemon, lime. What else. Any suggestions?
We haven’t really played with that! I think the tabasco is a good idea as that nasal burn is so important to the flavor.
I like this! A few questions
1. If you strain the juice from your refrigerator pickles, will that work for pickle juice?
2 I like jalapeño margaritas. If I add jalapeños to the refrigerator pickles, do I need to modify the amount of jalapeños?
3. I like the pineapple sweet and spicy with jalapeño margaritas. If I add pineapple juice, can I substitute club soda for tonic water? And do I skip the simple syrup?
Thanks!
Hi!
1) It might work, but it would probably be a little less good that storebought dill pickles.
2) That should work if you go this way! It’s easier to just stir in one slice of jalapeno to the drink.
3) Yes! I like that idea. You may need to adjust sweetness slightly.
This recipe is the best. I chopped a piece of zest from the squizzed lime and put it in the glass as well. And I also found a nice substitute for a pickle juice (equally as weird) that works great and is bitter and salty at the same time – water from green olives in a jar (olive juice?). Worked great! Thanks for the guilty-free alternative for the summer!
Loved it! Followed instructions exactly. Amazing mock marg! I read comments on more pickle juice and may try a bit more but not necessary to get that “real” flavor. I did use really good tonic…may try diet version next time. For someone trying to avoid alcohol for any reason but wanting to have a great summer drink with friends…this is it!