Easy Non-Alcoholic Batanga Recipe (with NA Tequila)

Why You’ll Love This Zero-Proof Batanga

If you love the classic Batanga’s bold blend of tequila, lime juice, and cola, you’re sure to enjoy this non-alcoholic Batanga recipe. We swap tequila for Lyre’s Agave Blanco, preserving that bright agave flavor without any alcohol. Served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass and stirred with a knife for tradition, it’s a simple yet unforgettable zero-proof sip—perfect for any occasion, from lazy afternoons to festive gatherings.

Origins of the Batanga

Invented in 1961 at La Capilla—a legendary cantina in Tequila, Jalisco—the Batanga is the brainchild of bartender Don Javier Delgado. Rather than using a spoon to stir, Delgado insisted on using a knife that he’d just used to cut his limes, creating a unique ritual. The original Batanga combined blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, and cola over ice, finished with a salted rim. It quickly became a local favorite, praised for its simplicity and the way the cola’s sweetness balanced the agave’s vegetal edge. Today, it’s still a staple in Mexican bars and increasingly popular worldwide as a signature highball.

Key Facts about the Classic Batanga:

• Year Invented: 1961
• Inventor: Don Javier Delgado
• Birthplace: La Capilla, Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico
• Traditional Ingredients: Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, cola, sea salt rim
• Signature Technique: Stirring with a knife instead of a spoon
• Popularity: Iconic highball in Mexican cocktail culture

Non-Alcoholic Batanga Recipe (Step-by-Step)

Ingredients (Serves 1):

• 2 oz Lyre's Agave Blanco (or another non-alcoholic tequila alternative)
• ½ oz fresh lime juice (about ½ a lime)
• 4–6 oz cola (preferably Mexican cola like Jarritos or Coca-Cola)
• Ice cubes (enough to fill the glass)
• Pinch of sea salt (for rimming)
• Lime wedge (for garnish)
  

Pro Tip: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the brightest flavor. Mexican cola (with cane sugar) gives the most authentic taste, but any cola will work. Lastly, don’t skip out on the salted rim, it really balances out the entire cocktail.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Glass

• • Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your highball or Collins glass to moisten it.
  • Dip the rim into a small plate of sea salt, coating it evenly.
    
    

2. Add Lyre’s Agave Blanco

• • Pour 2 oz of Lyre’s Agave Blanco into the glass.
    
    

3. Add Lime Juice and Ice.

• • Squeeze ½ oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime) into the glass.
  • Fill your glass with ice cubes.
    
    

4. Top with Cola & Stir

• • Slowly pour 4–6 oz of cola over the ice, filling the glass almost to the top.
  • Use a long, thin knife (or a bar spoon if you don’t have a knife) to gently stir from bottom to top—this knife-stirring is the traditional Batanga method, blending flavors without losing carbonation.
    
    

5. Garnish & Serve

• • Garnish with a fresh lime wedge on the rim.
  • Serve immediately with a straw and enjoy your flavorful NA Batanga!

Total Time: 5 Minutes

Why Lyre’s Agave Blanco Makes a Great Non-Alcoholic Stand-In for Tequila

Lyre’s Agave Blanco is crafted to replicate the bright, vegetal profile of blanco tequila—right down to those subtle peppery notes and agave-centric aroma. When you combine Lyre’s with fresh lime and cola, you recreate the Batanga’s signature balance:

• Agave Essence: Lyre’s uses botanical distillates that capture the grassy, semi-sweet agave flavor you expect from blanco tequila.
  
  
• Mouthfeel & Finish: Unlike other NA spirits that can taste flat, Lyre’s manages a light, crisp finish that mimics tequila’s slight burn, which pairs beautifully with fizzy cola.
  
  
• Aroma & Complexity: The nose of Lyre’s Agave Blanco carries hints of citrus, black pepper, and subtle smoke—the same notes that make a classic Batanga aromatic and layered.
  
  
• Zero-Proof Advantage: You get all the enjoyment of a Mexican highball without the alcohol, making it perfect for brunch, daytime gatherings, or whenever you want a sophisticated mocktail.
  
  

Because Lyre’s Agave Blanco is designed with tequila drinkers in mind, swapping it into the Batanga formula means you lose none of the original’s character—only the alcohol.

Tips & Variations

• Salt Rim Alternatives:
  • Garnish with a fresh lime wedge on the rim.
  
  
• Sweetness & Cola Choice:
  • Use 4 oz cola for a more pronounced agave presence, or 6 oz for a sweeter, more effervescent sip.
  •Mexican cola (cane sugar) is ideal; if unavailable, craft cola or Coca-Cola will still taste great.
  
  
• Citrus Swap:
  • Add an ounce of fresh grapefruit juice to make a “Non-Alcoholic Paloma-Batanga Hybrid.”
  
  
• Spice it up:
  • Add a few slices of jalapeno to add a pleasant kick. You’ll want to muddle the jalapeno directly in the glass with your non-alcoholic tequila, then add the rest.
  
  

Ingredient Substitutions

• NA Tequila Alternative: If you can’t find Lyre’s Agave Blanco, try another premium non-alcoholic tequila spirit (e.g., Seedlip Notas de Agave). Adjust to taste, as botanical profiles vary.
  
  
• Citrus Options: If you’re out of limes, lemon juice can work in a pinch—though it shifts the flavor profile to something closer to a non-alcoholic “Batanga-Lemonade.”
  
  
• Alternative Sweeteners: For a lower-sugar version, swap cola for diet or zero-sugar cola.

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with:

• Mexican Street Tacos: The lime-and-salt rim echoes taco flavors.
  
  
• Ceviche or Shrimp Cocktail: The acidity of the Batanga complements seafood beautifully.
  
  
• Spicy Tortilla Chips & Salsa: The cola’s sweetness helps tame the heat.