The Margarita is one of those drinks that translates surprisingly well to a non-alcoholic version. The original relies heavily on citrus and salt for its appeal, and those elements carry over completely. A non-alcoholic tequila like Lyre’s Agave Blanco provides the earthy, slightly peppery base, while the orange liqueur substitute adds citrusy sweetness. Fresh lemon juice and agave syrup round everything out.

Getting the salt rim right

The salt rim isn’t just decorative. It changes how you experience each sip by adding a savory hit that contrasts with the citrus and sweetness. Run a lemon wedge around the edge of the glass, then dip it in coarse salt. If you want to get creative, mix a little chili powder into the salt for a spicy variation that works really well with the agave and citrus flavors.

Notes on the build

Agave syrup is the right sweetener here because it dissolves easily in cold liquid and has a clean sweetness that doesn’t compete with the citrus. You can swap lemon for lime juice, or use a mix of both, depending on what you have on hand. Shaking hard with ice and straining gives you a well-chilled, properly diluted drink. Serving over crushed ice is another option if you prefer something more slushy and refreshing.

This pairs naturally with guacamole, chips and salsa, or tacos. If you enjoy tequila-style drinks, the Paloma takes a grapefruit-forward approach, and the Tequila Sunrise goes in a fruitier direction with grenadine and orange juice.