Description
This non-alcoholic margarita is AMAZING! Made with jalapeño cilantro simple syrup, lime juice, tonic water, and zero alcohol.
Ingredients
A Single Non-Alcoholic Margarita:
- 1.5 ounces lime juice (about 3-4 limes)
- 2 ounces jalapeño cilantro simple syrup
- tonic water to taste (see notes for subs, especially during pregnancy)
For the Jalapeño Cilantro Simple Syrup:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 small bunch cilantro (leaves and/or stems)
- 1 jalapeño, sliced into chunks
For the Tajin Rim:
- 1 teaspoon Tajin (affiliate link)
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup: Bring the sugar, water, cilantro, and jalapeño to a low simmer in a small saucepan for about 5 minutes. You want the sugar to dissolve and some of the flavor of the cilantro and jalapeño to steep into the liquid. Strain out the cilantro and jalapeño, and reserve the syrup in a jar or small pitcher in the fridge for several weeks. I love having this on hand to throw fast, fun, easy drinks together!
- For the Tajin rim: Mix the sugar, salt, and Tajin on a small plate. Brush a bit of lime juice or simple syrup on the side or rim of the glass and immediately dip it into the Tajin mixture so it sticks to the side or rim of the glass. Beautiful!
- To make the NA margaritas: Throw a few ice cubes in the glass. For each marg, I typically use 1.5 ounces lime juice, 2 ounces simple syrup, and tonic water to taste. You can also use a shaker here to mix, or just pour it all into the glass and give it a gentle swish to stir. ENJOY YOUR MOMENT.
Notes
Tonic Water: Tonic water doesn’t have alcohol, but it contains small amounts of quinine which gives it that deliciously bitter flavor that mimics alcohol. Some people can be sensitive to quinine, and it is recommended to avoid it during pregnancy. If you are quinine-averse for any reason, don’t worry, you have other options. If the bitterness is important to you, I would sub a sparkly water with some kind of bitter element to it, like grapefruit. You can also add a dash of your favorite bitters, which technically are alcoholic but they are used in such small amounts that many people use them in mocktails. If you don’t mind a drink that’s on the sweeter side, this is also delicious with any of the sparkling juices at Trader Joe’s (I *love* their sparkling watermelon juice in this) or any other retailers that sell fun varieties of sparkling drinks. A plain sparkling water like Topo Chico would also be great.
Limes: I buy a huge bag of limes for this and then just juice all of them at once so I have a bunch of lime juice in the fridge. I use this little juicer for juicing!
Pitchers: I use these adorable little glass milk pitchers (affiliate link) every summer for storing my simple syrups, agua frescas, iced coffee, lots of different things. For these margs, I juice a bunch of limes ahead and then keep one pitcher of lime juice and one of the simple syrup in the fridge for super fast margs anytime the craving strikes! Ultimate life hack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shake
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Keywords: zero proof cocktail, non-alcoholic margarita, mocktail recipe
