Celery Citrus Mocktail (Healthy Non-Alcoholic Margarita)

A refreshing, citrusy mocktail made with fresh celery juice

If you enjoy the bright flavor of a margarita but prefer to skip the alcohol or sugary mixers, this Celery Citrus Mocktail is a beautiful alternative.

Many mocktails rely on syrups or overly sweet juices, but this version keeps things simple and refreshing. Fresh celery juice brings a crisp, mineral-rich base, while lime juice and sparkling water add brightness and balance. A lightly salted rim ties everything together, giving the drink that familiar margarita-inspired finish.

The result is something light, hydrating, and vibrant — perfect for warm afternoons, gatherings with friends, or any time you want a festive drink without alcohol.

Why I Used Dandy Celery

For this recipe, I made the celery juice myself using Dandy® celery sticks.

When celery is the base of a drink, the quality of the produce really matters. I chose Dandy celery because it has a clean, crisp flavor that works beautifully in beverages. According to the brand, Dandy celery is known for being crunchy, slightly sweet, and less stringy, which makes it especially pleasant for juicing.

Their celery sticks are also fresh-cut, pre-washed, and ready to use, which makes them convenient when you want to quickly juice celery at home without extra prep.

Using fresh celery as the base gives this mocktail a naturally refreshing flavor that pairs perfectly with citrus and sparkling water.

Celery Citrus Mocktail Recipe

Servings: 1 drink
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3–4 Dandy celery sticks, juiced to yield 2 oz celery juice

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 tsp maple syrup or local honey (optional, to taste)

• 3 oz sparkling water or soda water

• Kosher salt, for rimming the glass

• Lime wedge, for rimming

• Celery sprig and lime wedge, for garnish

• Ice

Instructions

1. Prepare the celery juice.
   Juice 3–4 Dandy celery sticks until you have about 2 ounces of fresh celery juice.

2. Prepare the glass.
   Rub a lime wedge along the rim of the glass and dip it into kosher salt if you want a salted rim.

3. Mix the base.
   In a shaker or mixing glass, combine the celery juice, fresh lime juice, and maple syrup or honey if using.

4. Shake or stir.
   Add ice and shake well, or stir until the mixture is chilled.

5. Assemble the mocktail.
   Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice and pour the mixture over it.

6. Top with sparkling water.
   Add about 3 ounces sparkling water and stir gently.

7. Garnish and serve.
   Add a celery sprig and lime wedge for garnish and enjoy immediately.

Why This Mocktail Is a Healthier Alternative

No refined sugar

Traditional margaritas and many mocktails rely on refined sugar or syrups. This version uses only a small amount of maple syrup or local honey, or you can omit sweetener entirely.

Naturally hydrating ingredients

Celery and lime both contain natural electrolytes and antioxidants, helping create a drink that feels refreshing and hydrating rather than heavy.

Light and balanced

With sparkling water as the base and fresh juice for flavor, this mocktail is light, crisp, and naturally lower in caloriesthan many cocktail-style drinks.

A clean twist on a classic flavor

The salted rim, citrus, and mineral notes of celery create a flavor profile reminiscent of a margarita — but with simple, whole ingredients.