Next time you crave the refreshing taste of a margarita but don’t want the buzz, blend up a batch of Virgin Frozen Margaritas. Learn how to make a delicious frozen drink with this simple recipe and enjoy all the flavor without the alcohol.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, Feast + West receives a small commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Virgin Frozen Margarita recipe
In the summertime, there is one thing I want: a frozen drink in my hand! Frozen margaritas are a delicious drink that’s ice cold and so refreshing.
But what if you don’t want the tequila, for whatever reason? You can easily make them without!
Virgin margaritas on the rocks are a great, tasty solution, but I daresay they’re even better in frozen form on a hot summer day.
This recipe is based on my frozen margarita recipe, so check that out if you’re looking for a boozy version with tequila. Below, I’ll walk you through making this recipe into a delicious mocktail. Bonus: You don’t even need a slushy machine!
More mocktail recipes: Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri • Virgin Mimosa • Virgin Moscow Mule
Why you’ll love this recipe
The Virgin Frozen Lime Margarita might just be your new favorite mocktail.
- These sweet-tart lime mocktails are ice-cold and easy to slurp.
- You can make a non-alcoholic margarita with just a few ingredients in your blender at home — no slushy machine required!
- They’re an excellent drink option for non-drinkers, from kiddos to designated drivers.
It’s also perfect for taco night and Cinco de Mayo, as the margarita drink is a staple of Mexican cuisine. And since they are frozen, they make excellent beverages for sipping by the pool in the summertime.
Serve this frozen virgin margarita recipe at parties, baby showers, game-day watch parties, bachelorette parties and any time you get a hankering for a margarita but don’t want the booze.
Tools & glassware
To make this classic frozen cocktail, you’ll need a few kitchen tools. A powerful blender is helpful for effortlessly blending the ice. You will also need a jigger or measuring cup to measure out the ingredients.
If you are making freshly squeezed lime juice, make sure you have a citrus juicer. You’ll get the best results by squeezing your own citrus juice. Make sure you’ve got some daiquiri glasses to serve these strawberry daiquiris cocktails too!
Ingredients
If you’re ready to liven up your next Taco Tuesday with this margarita mocktail recipe, you’ll need to pick up a few ingredients at the grocery store. Here’s what to add to your list to make this recipe:
- fresh-squeezed lime juice: Fresh is best if you can, but if not a high-quality concentrate will work fine.
- fresh-squeezed orange juice: Orange juice, you ask? Many alcoholic margaritas contain orange liqueur. The sweetness of fresh orange juice helps to counter the sour flavors, so using the juice in this non-alcoholic version helps to emulate that flavor.
- simple syrup or agave nectar: Some kind of sweetener helps to balance the tart lime. Agave nectar is made from the same plant as tequila, so it’s nice to use in this mocktail; however, simple syrup is an easy swap made with sugar and water.
- ice cubes: Be sure you’re stocked up before you go to make these! You’ll need a few cups’ worth.
- water: If you want a hint of tequila flavor, you can use a non-alcoholic spirit that tastes like tequila here instead of water. But either way, you need some more liquid to help blend up the ice.
Garnishes
To finish the drink and make it feel more like a real margarita cocktail and less like a margarita mocktail, you’ll want to add either a sugar rim or a salt rim and a lime wedge.
Sugar enhances the sweetness. Salt helps to cut the sweet sugar and tart lime flavors (and the spicy, smoky tequila-like flavors in the zero-proof spirit, if using). Use your favorite!
This tutorial on rimming a glass is a great place to start if you’ve never rimmed a drink before.
For the lime garnish, you can cut a lime into wedges or slices called lime wheels. Cut a small slit in them to perch them on the edge of the glass.
Variations and substitutions
Mix things up with one of these variations:
- Easy virgin margarita: If you like, you can substitute margarita mix for the lime juice and simple syrup.
- Virgin margs that taste like they have tequila: Instead of water, use a zero-proof spirit like Seedlip Notas de Agave or Ritual tequila alternative.
- Virgin margaritas on the rocks: Don’t want to bother with the blender? Check out my recipe for easy virgin margs on the rocks made in a cocktail shaker.
- Sugar-free virgin margarita: Skip the sweetener or use a sugar-free substitute.
- Flavored virgin margarita: Instead of agave syrup, use a flavored syrup like coconut syrup or raspberry syrup. You can also blend in some fresh or frozen fruit like strawberries, mango or pineapple.
- Spicy virgin margarita: For a fire-and-ice version, use jalapeño simple syrup and a rim of chili-lime seasoning.
How to Make Frozen Virgin Lime Margaritas
This recipe is super simple! And it makes a big batch, so you can serve about four to six drinks at once. Let’s take it step by step.
First, go ahead and rim your glasses. Place some sugar or coarse salt on a plate. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of the glass. Roll the rim of the glasses in the salt or sugar to coat the rim. Set aside.
If you don’t have margarita mix or simple syrup, you can make it in the blender before you get started. Just add ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water and blend together until the sugar has dissolved. Then add the other ingredients.
Place the ice cubes into your blender. Then add the simple syrup, fresh lime juice and orange juice.
Start the blender and blend until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture has a consistent slushy texture. If desired, add more orange juice to taste.
Grab the rimmed glasses you prepared and pour the frozen lime margarita into the cups.
Finish off your virgin frozen margarita with a lime wedge or lime slice and enjoy!
Tips & tricks
Check out these few tips to make the best frozen lime margarita mocktails:
- Use fresh lime juice instead of store-bought bottled stuff. The fresh lime juice is like a breath of fresh air! However, if you are making a LOT of these, the store-bought stuff is a great shortcut. You can also use sour mix!
- You can adjust the thickness to your preference. To make these fruity slushies thicker, add extra ice and blend away until it is the perfect slushy consistency for you. Just taste-test them before serving because it may need lime or orange juice to balance out the flavor. For a thinner consistency, add more water to the blender or add a splash of club soda to each glass.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup. However, you will likely need some liquid to blend with, or your blender may get stuck, so add a splash of water instead.
- Use a nice salt or sugar for the rim. I suggest making your own margarita salt or using sanding sugar.
What to serve with Virgin Frozen Margaritas
Margaritas are always good with Mexican food. Serve them with one of these ideas:
- Appetizers: Enjoy margarita mocktails with nachos, chips and guacamole, salsa or queso fundido.
- Dinner: Margaritas go with all your favorites, from pulled pork tacos to elote to tortilla soup.
- Dessert: They will go well with a batch of frozen margarita bars or carlota de limón for dessert.
When to serve them
Since they are non-alcoholic, these virgin margaritas are perfect for so many occasions! Enjoy them for…
- margarita night, taco night or taco Tuesday
- Cinco de Mayo parties
- National Margarita Day (every year on Feb. 22)
- bachelor/bachelorette parties
- baby showers and bridal showers
- tailgates and game day watch parties
- pool parties and backyard barbecues
FAQ
Yes! Virgin margaritas are common in Mexican restaurants and bars. Margaritas can be made with the tequila and orange liqueur omitted, or they can be replaced with zero-proof spirits, which are alcohol-free mixers that emulate the flavor of alcohol.
Virgin margaritas usually contain a sweetener and lime juice — or a combination of the two called margarita mix — and sometimes orange juice. They also sometimes contain a zero-proof spirit to add the flavor of tequila without the alcohol.
More mocktail recipes
— Did you make this recipe? —
Please leave a ★★★★★ review or comment below.
Virgrin Frozen Margaritas
ingredients
- 4 ounces lime juice see note
- 4 ounces simple syrup or agave nectar, see note
- 4 ounces zero-proof spirit or water
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 4 cups ice
- lime wedges for rim and garnish
- sugar or salt for the rim
instructions
- Rim the glasses. Place sugar or salt on a plate. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of each glass and dip the rims into the sugar or salt to coat. Set aside.
- In a blender, combine ice cubes, lime juice, simple syrup, orange juice and zero-proof spirit.
- Blend until smooth and slushy, adjusting texture: add more ice for thicker cocktails and a splash of water for thinner ones. Add more orange juice for flavor, if desired.
- Pour the frozen margarita mixture into the prepared glasses. Garnish with lime wedges or slices.
notes
To make simple syrup, blend ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water until dissolved before adding the other ingredients.
recommended products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tessa says
Great!