What if you want to have a margarita but you don't want the alcohol? That's when you make these easy Mocktail Virgin Margaritas! Served on the rocks, these are sweet and sour and perfect for any party.
The kids love these too because then they can feel grown up!
Sometimes you want the flavor of a cocktail but you don't want the alcohol. Maybe you just don't drink or maybe you're pregnant. Or maybe you're a kid who wants a fun drink like their parents get. For whatever the reason, this Mocktail Virgin Margarita will be a hit at your next party.
Whenever I host a party, I always serve a non-alcoholic option. This isn't just for the kids, but for the adults who may not want to imbibe, or the designated drivers. Just because you're not drinking doesn't mean you can't have a fun drink in a fun glass, garnished, with a fun straw.
Maybe you have a daughter like mine, who sees me ordering margaritas and wants to try (um, no). I order her virgin cocktails all the time and she's always excited when I'm creating a new mocktail recipe. When I told her I was making this virgin margarita she was so excited it was for her!
Have you ever wondered how to make a virgin margarita? It's really easy to make it fresh. Sure, you can use the non-alcoholic margarita mix and add some club soda, but that's not as fun (or as good) as making it from scratch.
I always think that margarita recipes are so pretty, and this virgin margarita is no different. It's full of lime and orange flavors, along with some sweet and sour and soda to make it the perfect virgin drink for your next fiesta.
The great thing about this margarita is you can make it for one, or you can make a pitcher. Sometimes on a Friday night when I'm whipping up margaritas for my husband and I, I'll make my daughter one of these. I don't need a whole pitcher, just one will do. Other times, I want to have a bunch in the fridge for a party or a long summer weekend.
What is in a virgin margarita?
Virgin margaritas have lime juice and orange juice, fresh squeezed. A classic homemade margarita is made with lime juice and triple sec, which is an orange liquor. For that reason, I used lime juice and fresh squeezed orange juice.
A perfect margarita needs sweet and sour mix, so I used some I had from the store, but you can make your own sweet and sour mix easily.
Then, instead of tequila, I use club soda and simple syrup to finish off the drink. Garnish with lime and orange and serve over ice with a salted or sugared rim, and you have the perfect mocktail margarita!
Virgin Margaritas are the perfect mocktail to serve at any party. This recipe serves a party or can be easily made for just one person!
Trust me, everyone loves these. And I know I can throw in a shot of tequila if I'm in the mood.
How to make the perfect virgin margarita on the rocks:
- I love using fresh orange juice and fresh lime juice. If you don't want to squeeze all those limes, by all means use a bottle of lime juice.
- Sweet and sour adds some sweet tang to the cocktail, but you can skip it if you want.
- There are two options for soda: first, use club soda. If you use club soda or sparkling water, you'll need to add simple syrup. Add it to taste.
- Or, skip club soda and simple syrup and use lemon lime soda instead. We love using diet 7Up or diet Sprite in these too!
Mocktail Virgin Margaritas
Ingredients
For a Pitcher:
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 cup sweet and sour
- 4 cups club soda or sparkling water see note
- 1 cup simple syrup see note
- Oranges and limes, for garnish
For a single mocktail:
- 1 ounce fresh orange juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce sweet and sour
- 3-5 ounces lemon-lime soda (regular or diet)
Instructions
To make a pitcher:
- Place all ingredients except simple syrup in pitcher. Stir. Taste and add simple syrup to your desired sweetness. Garnish with oranges and limes.
To make one mocktail:
- Place all ingredients in a glass over ice. Stir. Garnish with lime and orange.
Notes
Nutrition
Dorothy is a blogger over at CrazyforCrust.com, where she's been sharing recipes with a slice of life for almost 10 years. She's married to Mel, the other half of Easy Good Ideas, and together they are raising a teenager and dog in Northern California.
Actually I have a question- when making by the pitcher won’t the club soda get flat?