Name: Spicy Mockarita
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime); 2 oz fresh orange juice; 1 oz jalapeño simple syrup (see below); 3-4 oz lime sparkling water (or plain sparkling water); Tajín, for rimming the glass; Ice; Lime wedge and jalapeño slice, for garnish; ½ cup water; ½ cup sugar; 1 small jalapeño, sliced (remove about ½ of the seeds)

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This Spicy Mockarita is full of bold, vibrant flavors. Made with fresh juices, it’s a refreshing, non-alcoholic alternative to the classic margarita. Enjoy it on hot summer days or any time you want a zesty drink!

Spicy mockarita in a glass with Tajin on the rim on a wooden serving tray.

The Easiest Mocktail Margarita

I’m a big fan of margaritas, but as someone who is trying to cut back on alcohol, I’ve been looking for a tasty mocktail version that still quenches my thirst for a tangy and spicy drink.

What’s great about this spicy margarita mocktail recipe is that you don’t need any non-alcoholic tequila or fancy substitutes. Just a few fresh ingredients, some simple syrup, and sparkling water. The rest is probably at home!

A perfect balance of tart lime juice, sweet orange juice, and a hint of spice from jalapeno simple syrup, you can’t get any closer to the real thing than this!

Looking for more mocktail recipes? Check out my Blackberry Mule, Citrus Basil Smash, or Virgin Bloody Mary.

Ingredients

Fresh lime juice: Fresh is a must! It adds a tangy, refreshing citrus flavor to the drink.
Fresh orange juice: This adds a hint of sweetness to even out the spice and tang.
Jalapeño simple syrup: Infuses a spicy kick for a bold, unique twist.
Lime sparkling water: I love adding this for a fizzy, citrusy kick (or just use plain sparkling water if you want a more neutral fizz).
Tajín: A zesty, tangy seasoning perfect for rimming the glass and adding a burst of flavor.
Ice: I mean, you gotta have ice!
Lime wedge and jalapeño slice: Serve as a garnish for added flavor and visual appeal.

Making jalapeno simple syrup in a sauce pan.

How to Make Jalapeño Simple Syrup

Jalapeño simple syrup isn’t the easiest thing to find at the store, but making it at home is super easy.

Ingredients:

½ cup water
½ cup sugar
1 small jalapeño, sliced (remove about ½ of the seeds)

Instructions:

First, combine water, sugar, and jalapeño slices in a small saucepan.
Bring this all to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Once dissolved, remove from heat and let it steep for 10 minutes.
Then strain out the jalapeño slices and cool the syrup completely.

That’s it! This will give your spicy mocktail just the right little kick of heat.

Spicy mockarita in a glass with Tajin on the rim and lime and jalapeno as garnish.

How to Make a Spicy Mockarita

First, grab a lime wedge and run it around the rim of your margarita glass, then dip it in Tajín to coat. Fill the glass with ice.
In a cocktail shaker or small jar, combine lime juice, orange juice, and jalapeño simple syrup. Toss in some ice and give it a good shake for about 15 seconds until it’s nice and chilled.
Pour the mix into your prepared glass, top it off with lime sparkling water, and stir gently.
Add a lime wedge and jalapeño slice for garnish, and you’re all set. Enjoy!

Pouring a spicy mockarita in a class with Tajin on the rim.

Dishes to Complement Your Spicy Mockarita

There’s nothing like a good drink with some delicious food to go along with it. I recommend starting things off with tasty sides/appetizers like my Best Damn Air Fryer Street Corn or Sweet and Chunky Mango Salsa.

Craving tacos? Go bold with Instant Pot Carnitas or Fish Tacos with Lime Crema. And for something simple and satisfying, these Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls are the perfect match for those bold, spicy flavors.

Spicy mockarita in a glass with Tajin on the rim and lime and jalapeno as garnish. Ingredients in the background.

Storage

This delicious mocktail recipe is only one serving, but you can easily double or triple the recipe for a larger batch. If you’re doing that, you can store the mocktail in a seal-able glass jug/jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a good shake before serving as some of the ingredients may settle.

Recipe

Spicy Mockarita

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Author: Jason N.
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 1 serving

Print Recipe

Description

Spice up your day with this refreshing and easy-to-make spicy mockarita, complete with a Tajín rim and a kick of jalapeño simple syrup.

Ingredients

For the Spicy Mockarita

1 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
2 oz fresh orange juice
1 oz jalapeño simple syrup (see below)
3–4 oz lime sparkling water (or plain sparkling water)
Tajín, for rimming the glass
Ice
Lime wedge and jalapeño slice, for garnish

For the Jalapeño Simple Syrup:

½ cup water
½ cup sugar
1 small jalapeño, sliced (remove about ½ of the seeds)

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Instructions

Simple Syrup Instructions:

Combine water, sugar, and jalapeño slices in a small saucepan.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes.
Strain out jalapeño slices and cool syrup completely before using.

Mocktail Instructions:

Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip it into Tajín to coat. Fill the glass with ice.
In a shaker or small jar, combine lime juice, orange juice, and jalapeño simple syrup. Add ice and shake for about 15 seconds, until well-chilled.
Pour the mixture into the prepared glass. Top with lime sparkling water and stir gently.
Garnish with a lime wedge and a jalapeño slice.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Steeping Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Beverages