This lavender margarita mocktail is the drink you did not know you were looking for. It sits right between spring and summer, light and floral but still cold and citrusy enough for the hottest days.
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I have always been the friend who orders at least one margarita at the bar. Different bistros, different flavors, and plenty of versions at home when I am playing around with my syrups. It is one of those drinks I never get tired of finding a new version of.
This lavender margarita mocktail came out of one of those days at home where I was just having fun in the kitchen. I had just made my lavender syrup and already used it for my vanilla lavender oat milk latte and my lavender lemonade, and somewhere in between I thought, this would be perfect in a margarita.
It is tart and citrusy, with the lime coming through first and the orange softening it out in the middle. The lavender is there but it does not take over, it just adds a light floral sweetness that makes the whole drink feel a little more interesting than your average margarita mocktail.
The first time I made it for someone other than myself was on my husband's day off. The kids were outside watching the pool fill up and I brought this out and he loved it. It has been in the summer rotation ever since, right alongside the spicy pineapple margarita mocktail and the passion fruit margarita mocktail which are also staples at this point.
Ingredients
The lavender syrup is what makes this mocktail stand out. It adds a light floral sweetness that pairs naturally with the citrus. Homemade syrup has the freshest flavor, but a good-quality store-bought version works well too.
A non-alcoholic tequila alternative gives the drink the earthy notes of a classic tequila without the alcohol. If you don't have one, use club soda or sparkling water for a lighter, citrus-forward version.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
If you don't feel like making your own syrup, this is a good storebought lavender syrup alternative!
Top Tips for Lavender Margarita Mocktail
Use culinary lavender only: Decorative or craft lavender isn't meant for cooking and can give the syrup an unpleasant flavor. Culinary lavender has a cleaner, milder floral taste.
Taste the syrup before adding the full amount: Homemade lavender syrups can vary in strength depending on how long they steep. If yours has a stronger floral flavor, start with ¾ ounce and add more to taste.
Chill your serving glasses: Pop the glasses in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to keep the mocktail colder longer without adding extra ice that can dilute the flavor.
How to Make Lavender Margarita Mocktail?
This lavender margarita mocktail comes together in just a few minutes. Chilling the drink well before serving keeps the citrus bright and lets the floral lavender flavor blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
Prepare the glasses
Run a lime wedge around the rim of each serving glass, then dip the rims into coarse salt or sugar.
- Use salt if you want it to taste closer to a classic margarita, or sugar if you want a softer, sweeter rim.
Shake the mocktail
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the non-alcoholic tequila alternative, lime juice, orange juice, and lavender syrup.
- Shake for 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Do not overshake, or the drink may become too diluted once it is poured over fresh ice.
Serve
Strain the mocktail into the prepared glasses over fresh ice.
From Mocktail to Cocktail
To turn this into a lavender margarita, replace the non-alcoholic tequila alternative with 3 oz of tequila blanco.
Shake the tequila, fresh lime juice, orange juice, and lavender syrup with ice for 15-20 seconds, then strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh lavender before serving.
Lavender has a light floral flavor with subtle herbal notes. When used in the right amount, it complements the citrus instead of overpowering it.
Fresh lime juice gives the brightest flavor, but bottled lime juice works if that's what you have. You may want to adjust the syrup slightly since bottled juice can taste more acidic.
Yes. Add the ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well, or stir everything together with ice before straining into a glass.
Yes. Fresh grapefruit juice creates a slightly more tart version, while blood orange juice adds a sweeter, richer citrus flavor.
Some lavender syrups are more concentrated than others. Add a little more lime or orange juice, or reduce the amount of syrup next time to keep the flavors balanced.
Lavender Margarita Mocktail
Ingredients
- 3 oz non-alcoholic tequila alternative 90 ml
- 1½ oz fresh lime juice 45 ml
- 1 oz orange juice 30 ml
- 1 oz lavender syrup 30 ml
- Ice for shaking and serving
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each serving glass.
- Dip the rims in coarse salt or sugar and set aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the non-alcoholic tequila alternative, lime juice, orange juice, and lavender syrup.
- Shake for 15-20 seconds, until well chilled.
- Strain into the prepared glasses over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wedges and fresh lavender sprigs.
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