These spicy mango mocktail margaritas are perfect for when you just want a margarita but don’t want to drink alcohol. With simple ingredients, these margaritas are easy to make and don’t feel like they’re just a mix of juices.
ingredients
- Jalapenos bring flavor and just enough heat! If you don’t like spice, leave them out.
- Equal parts sugar and water combine to make simple syrup to sweeten these drinks.
- Lime juice adds the tartness you expect from a margarita. If you like spice and live near a Trader Joe’s, try using Trader Joe’s jalapeno limeade instead!
- Mango nectar brings the mango flavor and some body to this mocktail. It’s thicker and almost syrupy sweet. You’ll most likely find it in the juice aisle in your grocery store.
- Tonic water adds a bite that’s similar to alcohol. This takes the drink from feeling like a mixture of juices to feeling like a substitute for alcoholic margaritas.
- Tajin goes around the rim to add a little zing! If you don’t like spice or don’t like Tajin, use salt or sugar on the rim.
- We use lime to help the Tajin stick to the rim of the glass and as a garnish.
how to make spicy mango mocktail margaritas
step one
Make the simple syrup. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the jalapeno, sugar, and water, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring everything to a simmer, stirring frequently. Simmer for 5 minutes or so, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the jalapeno begins to soften. The softer it gets, the more the jalapeno flavor will infuse into the syrup. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10-15 minutes, then pour into a storage container. A Mason jar works perfectly!
step two
Pour up! Make your margarita. Gather all the ingredients. Sprinkle the Tajin on a rimmed plate. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice from one half onto a separate plate. Dip the rim of the glass in the lime juice, then in the Tajin. Place ice in your glass, then pour the simple syrup, lime juice, mango nectar, and just a splash of tonic water into the glass. Give it a hearty stir and enjoy! You can easily double or triple this recipe to make more margaritas.
tasting notes
- If you’d like, you can make a large batch of these in a pitcher or jug, then just pour when you’re ready to serve! I recommend leaving the tonic water out and adding a splash separately when you pour the margaritas.
spicy mango mocktail margarita
Ingredients
For the jalapeno simple syrup
- 1 jalapeno cut into chunks
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
For a single margarita
- 1.5 oz jalapeno simple syrup
- 1.5 oz lime juice or trader joe's limeade
- 1.5 oz mango nectar
- splash tonic water
- 1 tsp Tajin for the rim
- 1 lime for the rim and garnish
Instructions
Make the jalapeno simple syrup
- Combine the jalapeno, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and the jalapeno starts to soften a bit. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes, then strain into a storage container (I used a Mason jar).
Make a margarita
- Put Tajin in a rimmed plate. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice from one half onto a separate plate. Dip the rim of your drinking glass in the lime juice, then in the Tajin.
- Place ice in your glass, then pour the simple syrup, lime juice or limeade, mango nectar, and a splash of tonic water into the glass. Give it a little stir and enjoy!
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