Light and Bubbly Cara Cara Margarita Mocktail

For a tasty non-alcoholic margarita, look no further than this quick and easy margarita mocktail recipe. Learn how to make a virgin margarita using fresh citrus, simple syrup and sparkling water. This bubbly Cara Cara mocktail margarita is light and refreshing with fewer calories than its boozy tequila cousin.

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Why try a non-alcoholic margarita?

I’m not a tee-totaler, but there are times I like to give my hard-working liver a break.

A new year always seems like a good reason to start a cleanse.

However, that’s not the only reason to abstain. Wine and alcoholic drinks are more caloric and I find that I won’t just have one… It’s not just me, right?

Additionally, I’ve found that when I take a few months off from alcohol, it helps me sleep better. My sleep is deeper, my dreams are more vivid, I don’t wake up throughout the night and I feel more rested in the morning.

Sipping, a virgin margarita is a healthier option and it’s sophisticated enough to make you feel right at home with your imbibing friends.

The key to a good margarita mocktail is fresh citrus.

Winter is prime citrus season here in Florida, so though it may seem counterintuitive to make a margarita cocktail in the middle of January, I can assure you, its actually the perfect time.

Juicy, at-their-peak oranges and tart-tangy limes are the backbone of these margaritas (that just happen to be non alcoholic).

My cara cara margarita mocktail has a perfect balance of sweet and sour citrus, a bit of simple syrup and a splash of sparkling water. It’s a quick and easy drink that looks and tastes every bit as bright and lively as the original, without the tequila hangover.

What are Cara Cara oranges?

Cara Cara oranges are actually navel oranges, that experienced a bud mutation on a Washington Navel Orange tree back in 1976. The mutated fruit was first identified at Hacienda Cara Cara (in Venezuela) and was, consequently, named after it.

Cara Cara oranges might look like any other navel orange on the outside, but open them up and you’ll discover their reddish pink flesh and sweeter, less acidic flavor.

These oranges are even healthier than their navel cousins with 20% more vitamin C and 30% more vitamin A.

Cara cara margarita mocktail ingredients

You’ll need a good juicer to make these virgin margaritas. I recommend this hand-held citrus juicer by Chef’n. {affiliate link}

It’s sturdier and more industrial than the metal one I used to have from Williams Sonoma. Plus, I use this one to juice all kinds of citrus, from limes and lemons to oranges and grapefruit.

To juice larger items (that don’t fit into the press), cut them into quarters or eighths and press through the strainer.

Pro Tip: To extract as much juice as possible, I’ll put two already juiced pieces of citrus into the press (stacked one on top of the other) and give an extra squeeze. You’d be surprised how much more juice you can get out of them.

How to make virgin margarita mocktails

1. Make the simple syrup. (Equal parts sugar and water, heated in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves). Cool to room temperature.
2. Juice the Cara Cara oranges and limes.
3. Strain the pulp and seeds from the juice with a fine mesh strainer, if desired.
4. Measure out the citrus juice and simple syrup and stir to combine.
5. Wet the rim of a glass with water or a bit of simple syrup and press the rim into a dish of cocktail salt (margarita salt) until it sticks to the rim.
6. Fill the prepared glass with ice, add the citrus juice mixture and top with sparkling water.
7. Garnish and serve.

Garnishes for margarita mocktail

I like to keep the garnishes pretty simple. A thinly sliced cross-section of lime or a twist of orange is a nice garnish. If you want something fancy and festive, check out these ways to cut citrus from Gala In The Kitchen.

More non alcoholic drinks you might like:

• Spiced Apple Cider Tea
• Guava Limeade Summer Mocktail
• Sparkling Rhubarb Ginger Lemonade
• Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea
• Sparkling Passion Fruit Lemonade

Margarita recipes you’ll enjoy:

• Quenching Hibiscus Margarita
• Spicy Cucumber Kiwi Jalapeno Margarita
• Sparkling Cara Cara Margaritas (with alcohol)
• Spicy Passion Fruit Margarita
• Watermelon Margaritas

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