There were displays of tequila and margarita mix at our local liquor store this week in preparation for Cinco de Mayo (which coincidentally falls on Taco Tuesday this year, everyone’s excited.) I looked at the ingredients label of the margarita mix (you know the one…) and it was sugar city with a dash of yellow no. 5.

Um, no.

I took my bottle of reposado tequila home with me and hatched a new margarita plan in the car on the way home. (Why is it I do my best thinking in the car?) Last summer I started making my mojitos with just white rum, lime juice, mint, and Fresca, a citrus zero-calorie soda that dates back to the 1950s. The result is super refreshing and with far less sugar than a margarita mix or a simple syrup. Since the formula is the same, I’ll share my recipe for both at once!

Fresca Margaritas and Mojitos

Ingredients:
1 shot of tequila (for a margarita) or white rum (for a mojito)
juice of half a lime
Fresca sparkling flavored soda
garnish/muddle with lime slices (for a margarita), or mint leaves (for a mojito)
salt, if desired, for margarita rim

Directions:
1. In an old-fashioned glass filled with ice, pour one shot of either tequila or white rum. If making a mojito, muddle in your mint leaves now.
2. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime.
3. Fill the rest of the glass to the top with Fresca, stir. Garnish with extra lime slices for a margarita.

Notes:
Recipe makes 1 drink at a time. I prefer reposado tequila for margaritas because of its balanced flavors and a white rum for mojitos. Sometimes the juice of half a lime is too much depending on if I get a large/small or super juicy lime. Use your best judgement. There is no substitute for fresh lime juice though.