Italian Margarita

Do you love margaritas? This Italian Margarita is a smooth, refreshing twist on the classic cocktail featuring freshly squeezed lime juice and orange juice, tequila, and amaretto liqueur. It’s the perfect blend of sour and sweet with a bit of tequila on the side!

Speaking of margaritas, just type the word ‘margarita’ in the recipe search bar to find a huge selection of my favourite cocktail recipes. I suggest beginning with a simple Pineapple Margarita, then moving onto my favourite Spicy Mango Margarita. We make both cocktails all summer long!

Italian Margarita

Summer is approaching and I can hear the tequila calling my name… it’s margarita time! I’m thrilled to bring you yet another juicy, boozy, and downright irresistible margarita recipe. Friends, this Italian Margarita has got the JUICE!

More specifically, this luscious libation is bursting with the citrus flavours of freshly squeezed orange and fresh lime juice. Usually, these flavours are reinforced with addition of an orange liqueur (think Triple Sec, Cointreau, Curaçao, or even Grand Marnier).

However, today we’re thinking in Italian. Meet your new best amore, the Italian Margarita with amaretto! This sweet almond liqueur tones down the acidity of the citrus juice while blending with the earthy flavours of the tequila. It’s sweet enough you can omit the simple syrup found in most margarita recipes.

Like all my cocktail recipes, this Italian Margarita recipe makes a perfect batch of two cocktails. However, batch cocktail instructions are included if you have a thirsty crowd in your backyard.

Where Does the Italian Margarita Come From?

I’m sorry to disappoint, but the Italian Margarita does not come from Italy. In fact, if you try order one at any bar in Italy, other than an American style bar, you will be sorely let down. This cocktail is not your typical Italian aperitivo, though it contains a well-known Italian liqueur.

Strangely enough, this tantalizing twist on the classic margarita also does not come from Mexico.

So, where does it come from? If you guessed the Italian Margarita is a purely American invention, you are correct! More specifically, the Italian Margarita first appeared in 2005 at the Club Bar in the Peninsula Beverly Hills (source Diffords Guide).

The citrus, tequila, amaretto flavour became so popular that it became a signature cocktail for the Olive Garden, a chain of Italian American restaurants. Now, whether you feel this popular chain is Italian enough or not, one sip of an Italian Margarita and you won’t even care!

Cocktail Ingredients

As mentioned, the base spirit for any margarita is tequila, accented by another liqueur, followed by fresh citrus juice usually in a classic 3-2-1 ratio. We’re going a step further by adding more fresh citrus juice to create an even easier drinking marg.

• Limes
• Salt
• Tequila
• Oranges
• Amaretto Liqueur
• Ice

My number one rule for creating the tastiest margarita is to use FRESH SQUEEZEED CITRUS ONLY. That means, no sour mix, margarita mix, or store-bought anything. The only thing you need to buy at the grocery store are oranges and limes.

Your number one job is to balance this cocktail. Orange and lime juice can vary in acidity, and you can balance that by using more or less amaretto. It’s not rocket surgery, just keep the cocktail from tasting like mosquito repellant.

As for tequila, I’ve tested this cocktail with a mid range Reposado tequila and a slightly nicer Blanco. Choose a mid shelf tequila that walks a wobbly line between what you drank in high school and one that costs your retirement fund. Yes, way José (Cuervo) will do, and so will Espolón.

Finally, there’s no need for any simple syrup because the amaretto is quite sweet and there’s a higher amount of citrus juice.

One more thing. Some Italian Margarita recipes also contain Limoncello. I’m not a fan of the brands available in North America (one sip of Italian Aqua di Cedro and I’m ruined for life) so I didn’t add it. If you want more lemon flavour, use Limoncello instead of the fresh lime juice. Trust your palate, you’ve got this! 

Handy Cocktail Tools

Like the Pink Lady Cocktail, you will need a citrus reamer, cocktail shaker and a Hawthorne strainer to make this recipe. You can use a jigger to measure the alcohol and citrus juice but I prefer to use a graduated shot glass.

To serve, use a chilled 6 oz. coupe glass or pour it over ice in a rocks glass. If you want to make the citrus curls, you’ll need a citrus zester and cocktail picks.

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How to Make an Italian Margarita

Any bartender will tell you the first thing they do before they make a cocktail is prepare the glass and garnish.

Rim the glass with salt by cutting a notch in a lime wedge, then running it around the rim of the glasses. Next, add flaky sea salt to a small plate and place the glasses, one at a time, rim side down on the plate. Turn glasses in a circular motion so the salt sticks to the lime juice.

Use a vegetable or fruit peeler to peel a thin string of orange peel. Twirl it around a straw or pencil while you make the cocktail. OR, slice wheels of lime to use as garnish.

To make TWO cocktails, fill cocktail shaker 1/3 full of ice, then add the tequila, orange juice, amaretto, and lime juice. Cover and shake for 20-30 seconds, until the sides of the shaker become frosty. Pour the icy cocktail through a strainer, dividing evenly between two cocktail glasses.

Garnish with a lime wheel or thin slice of orange peel wrapped in a spiral around a cocktail pick. Cheers!

You can batch this recipe to make up to 10 Italian Margaritas at a time. Start by adding 2 cups tequila, 2 cups orange juice, 1 1/3 cups amaretto, and 2/3 cup lime juice to a 60-oz pitcher. Stir well and serve over ice.

Hi! I’m Bernice Hill and am the sole recipe developer, photographer, and writer at Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen. It is my pleasure to share easy to follow recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and approachable for the whole family.

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