Thanks to quality non-alcoholic tequilas, there’s no need to settle for overly sweet mocktails or “virgin margaritas” that taste like glorified limeade. If you're looking for a proper non-alcoholic margarita, this recipe is for you.
Taking a note from the modern classic Tommy’s Margarita, this zero-proof cocktail skips the triple sec and uses agave nectar—the same plant tequila comes from—for balanced sweetness without the extra sugar. It blends the bold, smoky Free Spirits Tequila with the grassy, herbal Almave Blanco, brightened by our Orange Cardamom bitters and a touch of salt. While combining different tequilas isn't standard in a margarita recipe, it works well here to create a more complex flavor and balance the powerful spice of Free Spirits. The result is a non-alcoholic margarita that’s refreshing, satisfying, and unmistakably grown-up.
This recipe was perfected using Free Spirits Tequila and Almave Blanco, but feel free to use your favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic spirits instead.
Nothing like a "virgin margarita", this non-alcoholic cocktail drinks like the real thing.
Ingredients
1 oz Free Spirits Tequila
1 oz Almave Blanco
¾ oz lime juice
½ oz agave nectar
7 dashes All The Bitter Orange Cardamom
Small pinch of salt (optional)
Directions
Add all ingredients, including a small pinch of salt, to a shaker with ice and shake for 6–8 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge, and optionally a salt rim.
Recipe Note
ABOUT NON-ALCOHOLIC TEQUILA Modern non-alcoholic tequilas capture the smoky, vegetal, and peppery character of agave spirits without the alcohol. Brands like Free Spirits and Almave make it easy to craft non-alcoholic margarita mocktails that taste complex and authentic—not sugary or flat. This is the difference between a "virgin margarita" (aka limeade) and a proper non-alcoholic cocktail. SPIRIT SWAPS Free Spirits Tequila offers a smoky, robust base, while Almave Blanco brings grassy, herbal freshness. We use both tequilas in this recipe for a more balanced and complex flavor, but it will work great with a single spirit, too.
You can also use other non-alcoholic tequilas—we like Cut Above Mezcal and Ritual Zero Proof tequila—or even split NA spirits with standard tequila for a lower-ABV option.
WHY NO TRIPLE SEC? Traditional margaritas use triple sec for sweetness and orange flavor, but non-alcoholic versions don’t need the extra sugar. Our Orange Cardamom bitters bring that same bright citrus note, adding depth and complexity without weighing the drink down.
BITTERS IN NON-ALCOHOLIC COCKTAILS Cocktail bitters provide depth and balance, rounding out sweet and sour flavors while adding bite. Since All The Bitter is completely 0% ABV (unlike traditional bitters, which are around 45% alcohol), you can use as much as you like to dial in flavor and complexity without affecting the ABV of your drink.
This recipe is super and simple. The salt I don’t want, but the rest is super nice. Yours klg
Lovely recipe using Danny Trejo’s tequila, and the cocktail tasted like the full alcohol version. I used 5 drops of saline for flavor enhancement.
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