The Recipe · No.1059 · Virgin Margarita (Margarita Mocktail)
Virgin Margarita (Margarita Mocktail), and where to source it
With the tequila gone, the salt rim is your seasoning. Wet only half the rim so every other sip has salt against the lime, and use flaky or coarse salt that dissolves slow instead of table salt that turns to brine.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep5 min
Cook0 min
Makesmakes 1
CuisineSour
Cost$
VeganGluten-free
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for1servings
Our ratio, your call. The amounts below are a tested starting point — a version, not the one and only. Anything tagged to taste is the knob you turn: start there, then make it yours.
Fresh lime juice
Squeeze it to order. Bottled lime tastes like a green marker and this whole drink is the acid.
1 ozrecommended
Local / market
Agave syrup
Cut it 1:1 with warm water first so it pours and mixes instead of sinking to the bottom.
0.75 ozrecommended
Local / market
Non-alcoholic tequila alternative
A zero-proof blanco gives the agave-and-pepper backbone; look for one that leads with green heat, not sweetness.
2 ozrecommended
Local / market
Flaky or coarse salt
Maldon or kosher for the rim. Table salt is too fine and turns the edge to seawater.
for the rimrecommended
Local / market
Lime wedge
One to wet the rim, one to garnish. Buy limes heavy for their size, not the pale hard ones.
2 wedgesrecommended
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer●●●●●Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
No-cook
The Method
RimRun a lime wedge around the outer half of a chilled glass, roll that half in salt on a plate, and leave the inner rim clean.
ShakeAdd lime, agave, and the zero-proof tequila to a shaker with plenty of ice and shake hard for ten seconds until the tin frosts.
StrainStrain into the salted glass over fresh ice and tuck a lime wedge on the rim.
Can you make Virgin Margarita (Margarita Mocktail) in an air fryer? — Not needed
No cooking needed here — this one comes together without heat, so the air fryer sits it out.
Can you freeze Virgin Margarita (Margarita Mocktail)? — Yes
Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.
Can you make Virgin Margarita (Margarita Mocktail) ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.
Is Virgin Margarita (Margarita Mocktail) gluten-free? — Yes
Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.
Is Virgin Margarita (Margarita Mocktail) vegan? — Yes
Yes — no meat, seafood, dairy, egg, or honey in it as written.
Community Notes
Made it, tweaked it, or recognize which restaurant this tastes like? Leave a note — first-name basis, no account.