Virgin Margarita with Fresh Lime

Name: Virgin Margarita with Fresh Lime
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 fl oz (90 ml) fresh lime juice, from room-temperature limes, freshly squeezed, strained to remove pulp; 2 fl oz (60 ml) fresh orange juice, freshly squeezed or high-quality store-bought, strained; 1 fl oz (30 ml) simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water), cooled to room temperature; 1 cup (240 ml) ice cubes, for shaking and serving; 2 tablespoons (36 g) kosher salt or sea salt, for rimming glasses; 3 each (75 g) fresh lime wedges, cut from fresh limes, for rimming and garnish

From the MyKitchenBank Kitchen

A bright, citrusy non-alcoholic margarita that captures the essence of the classic cocktail. Fresh lime juice, zesty orange juice, and simple syrup are shaken with ice and served over salt-rimmed glasses, delivering the perfect balance of tart and sweet without any spirits. Ready in minutes, this mocktail is ideal for any occasion.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: —
Total: 5 min
Makes: 2 drinks (5 fl oz each)

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Steps

Before you start

Have 2 rocks glasses chilled in the freezer for at least 15 minutes
Juice the limes fresh (you'll need about 3 medium limes)
Fill your cocktail shaker with ice
Prepare simple syrup or have it chilled and ready

1
Chill glasses
- Place 2 rocks glasses (8–10 fl oz each) in the freezer for at least 15 minutes until thoroughly chilled.
- This keeps the finished drink cold and prevents the ice from melting too quickly.
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Ready when: Glasses are very cold to the touch with no warmth at the base
Tip: Cold glassware is essential—warm glasses will melt the ice and dilute your drink quickly
2
Rim the glasses
- Pour the salt into a shallow dish.
- Take one chilled glass and rub the rim lightly with a fresh lime wedge, coating it evenly.
- Press the moistened rim gently into the salt, rotating the glass so the entire rim is coated on both the inside and outside edge.
- Repeat with the second glass.
- Set the rimmed glasses aside on a clean surface.
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Ready when: Both rims are evenly coated with salt and glasses remain cold
Tip: Use a fresh lime wedge for each glass and press gently—aggressive pressing can crack the cold glass rim
3
Build the shaker
- Fill your cocktail shaker about ¾ full with fresh ice cubes (roughly 1 cup / 240 ml).
- Pour in the fresh lime juice (3 fl oz / 90 ml), orange juice (2 fl oz / 60 ml), and simple syrup (1 fl oz / 30 ml).
- Do not add ice to the glasses yet.
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Ready when: Shaker is filled with ice and liquid ingredients layered on top
Tip: Measure carefully—the proportions are critical for the balance of tartness and sweetness
4
Shake vigorously
- Secure the shaker cap tightly.
- Hold the shaker with both hands and shake hard and fast for 10–12 seconds in a up-and-down motion.
- The outside of the shaker will become frosty white and cold to the touch.
- Listen for the ice rattling inside—it should sound sharp and crisp when the drink is properly chilled.
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Ready when: Shaker exterior is frosty, condensation visible, and the drink is ice-cold
Tip: Vigorous shaking aerates the cocktail and chills it quickly—weak or slow shaking results in a warm, flat drink
5
Fill and strain
- Remove the salt-rimmed glasses from where they've been resting.
- Add a handful of fresh ice cubes to each glass (about ½ cup / 120 ml each).
- Position the shaker's strainer over the first glass and pour half the mixture in a steady stream, filling to just below the rim (about 5 fl oz).
- Repeat with the second glass.
- Do not pour any melted ice from the shaker.
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Ready when: Both glasses are filled evenly to just below the rim with clear liquid
Tip: Use fresh ice in the serving glasses—never use the melted water from the shaker, which dilutes the drink
6
Garnish and serve
- Perch a fresh lime wedge on the rim of each glass.
- Serve immediately while the drink is still frosty cold.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon if desired before drinking.
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Ready when: Both drinks are garnished with a lime wedge and ready to serve
Tip: Serve immediately—the chill and flavor are at their peak right after shaking

Good to know

Tips

Always use freshly squeezed citrus juice, not bottled, for the brightest, most authentic flavor
Chill your glassware before serving—this keeps the drink cold and refreshing longer
Make simple syrup at home: combine equal parts sugar and water, heat until sugar dissolves, then cool and store in the fridge up to 1 week
Taste the drink before serving and adjust sweetness or tartness by tweaking the syrup or lime juice to your preference

Make ahead

Simple syrup can be made 1 week ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Lime and orange juices are best freshly squeezed within 2 hours of serving. Mix all ingredients and shake fresh when ready to drink.

Storage & reheating

Best served and consumed immediately after shaking. The drink is not designed for storage. Prepare fresh each time you want to enjoy it.

Substitutions

simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) → ½ fl oz (15 ml) agave nectar. Agave dissolves easily in cold liquid and adds a subtle sweetness authentic to many margarita variations
fresh orange juice → ½ fl oz (15 ml) fresh grapefruit juice mixed with ½ fl oz (15 ml) orange juice. Grapefruit adds a pleasant bitter-tart edge; adjust to your taste preference
kosher salt or sea salt → Tajín or chili-lime seasoning. For a spicier rim; use the same amount and apply the same way
fresh orange juice → 2 fl oz (60 ml) coconut water. Coconut water adds subtle sweetness and electrolytes; chill thoroughly before using and the result will be slightly less sweet