Cinco de Mayo Margarita Mocktail (Print Version)

A zesty lime and orange drink with a salted rim, ideal for festive Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

# What You Need:

→ Salted Rim

01 - 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt
02 - Zest of 1 lime
03 - 1 lime wedge for rimming glasses

→ Mocktail

04 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice from 4-5 limes
05 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice from 1 orange
06 - 1/4 cup agave syrup
07 - 2 cups chilled sparkling water
08 - Ice cubes as needed
09 - Lime slices for garnish
10 - Fresh mint leaves for garnish

# How To Make:

01 - Combine coarse salt and lime zest on a small plate. Rub lime wedge around the rim of each glass, then dip rim into salt mixture to coat evenly.
02 - In a pitcher, combine lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup. Stir thoroughly until agave is fully dissolved.
03 - Fill each prepared glass with ice cubes.
04 - Distribute citrus mixture evenly into glasses, filling each approximately halfway.
05 - Add chilled sparkling water to each glass and gently stir to combine all ingredients.
06 - Top with lime slices and fresh mint if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in 10 minutes flat, which means you can make a batch right when guests arrive instead of being stuck behind the bar.
  • The fresh lime and orange juice combo tastes so alive that everyone forgets there's no alcohol in the glass.
  • You can prep the salted rims ahead of time, so the actual assembly feels effortless and fun.
02 -
  • If your lime zest looks pale and thin, you went too deep into the pith—use a microplane grater and just catch the colored outer layer.
  • Warm sparkling water will go flat before you even finish the first glass, so refrigerate it for at least an hour before making your mocktails.
03 -
  • Roll your limes and oranges on the counter with firm pressure before cutting and squeezing—it breaks down the cells inside and yields significantly more juice.
  • Prep your ice in advance and keep it in the freezer until the moment you need it, because ice made from tap water can taste stale if it sits around.
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