Italian Margarita

Two coupe glasses rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with coiled orange peels on metal cocktail picks.

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!

A coupe glass rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with a coiled orange peel on a metal cocktail pick.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below and get this post sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you my weekly newsletter featuring the newest and best Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen recipes every week!

Save Recipe

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).

Two coupe glasses rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with coiled orange peels on metal cocktail picks.

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.

Ingredients required to make an Italian Margarita - bottle shot.

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.

An orange cocktail being poured out of a cocktail shaker into a coupe glass.

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!

A coupe glass rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail.

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
Three coupe glasses rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with coiled orange peels on metal cocktail picks.

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.

Three coupe glasses rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with coiled orange peels on metal cocktail picks.

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! 

A coupe glass rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with a coiled orange peel on a metal cocktail pick.

Handy Cocktail Tools

Like the Pink Lady Cocktail, you will need a citrus reamercocktail 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.

*This section contains Amazon affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

A coupe glass rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with a coiled orange peel on a metal cocktail pick.

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.

Close up of coupe glass rimmed with salt containing orange cocktail garnished with a coiled orange peel on a metal cocktail pick.

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.

Pinterest image featuring a trio of coupe glasses rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with coiled orange peels on metal cocktail picks.

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.

If you make this Italian Margarita recipe, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section or in a recipe rating. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please share your photos and tag me on Instagram. I hope you like this recipe!

Yield: 2 cocktails

Italian Margarita

A coupe glass rimmed with salt containing orange Italian Margarita cocktail garnished with a coiled orange peel on a metal cocktail pick.

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. It's the perfect blend of sour and sweet with a bit of tequila on the side!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 oz Tequila
  • 3 oz. freshly squeezed Orange Juice (save peel for garnish)
  • 2 oz. Amaretto
  • 1 oz. freshly squeezed Lime Juice
  • Ice (to shake and to serve)
  • Lime wedges (for garnish)
  • flaky salt for the rim

Instructions

PREPARE THE GLASSES

  1. Cut a notch in the middle of a lime wedge, then glide the lime wedge around the rim of the glasses to moisten them.
  2. 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 to coat their rims with salt.

PREPARE THE GARNISH

  1. 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.

MAKE THE COCKTAIL

  1. 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.
  2. Strain and pour, dividing evenly between two cocktail glasses.
  3. Garnish with a lime wheel or thin slice of orange peel wrapped in a spiral around a cocktail pick.
  4. Cheers!





Notes

*How to make an orange peel garnish

Start by using a vegetable peeler to peel a long strip of orange peel, keeping the peel as thin as possible while still retaining enough pith to hold it together. Wrap the peel tightly around itself (like a roll of paper towels), then carefully cut length-wise into thin strips. Wrap each strip tightly around a cocktail pick and use your fingers to mold it into shape. Release and you'll have a loose spiral, as shown in the photos.







Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 296mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g

Nutritional calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator.

Did you make this recipe?

Share your dish pic on Instagram or Facebook and tag @dishnthekitchen (or #dishnthekitchen) in your post or story! Rate this recipe and leave a review to share your experience with others!

23 comments

  1. Nora

    Yum! Orange juice and amaretto! Such a divine combo! This cocktail is my new go-to! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Yes! It is so darn tasty… so glad you enjoyed this unique margarita Nora.

  2. Fouzia

    Stunning pictures with a professional touch. The presentation is spectacular! One would surely have a high end restaurant experience when served with this drink. I am going to make a non alcoholic version of it. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  3. Eden

    SOOOOOOOO good and refreshing, I’m making this any time I am grilling this summer. It’s going to be my go-to cocktail!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      It’s the perfect accompaniment to summertime backyard grilling. Thank you Eden.

  4. LaKita

    This used to be a favorite for me to order when I went to Olive Garden and I’m happy to be able to make it at home using this recipe! And it can out so tasty and refreshing!!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      So great to hear!! And it’s not complicated either. Cheers, Lakita.

  5. Carrie Robinson

    What a great twist on a classic margarita! 🙂 I would have never thought to add amaretto to a margarita. Totally intrigued!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Yeah, the amaretto really does add something special. Cheers, Carrie!

  6. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

    Just wow! This just elevated a classic margarita to a whole new level! This was so delicious and perfect on a hot summer day!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Aww, thank you Lori. Three cheers for hot summer days!

  7. Giangi Townsend

    I am completely blown away how good this taste. I never know that tequila and amaretto combines will give you such a smooth taste. I think I found my new drink. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it Giangi. Cheers!

  8. Erin

    I made this for our party today, and it was a hit! My new favorite margarita. Many people asked for the recipe, too. Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Now that is the measure of success! So glad your guests enjoyed this Italian Margarita Erin.

  9. Mikayla

    I had no idea there was a difference in Margaritas, this was wonderfully refreshing and now I actually enjoy Margaritas!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      It does make this cocktail a bit more accessible if you aren’t a tequila lover. Cheers, Mikayla!

  10. Kathryn

    I love the citrus flavors in this margarita! Such a delicious flavor for summer time! Making these again for sure 🙂

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      It is quite JUICY! Cheers!

  11. Tisha

    This first time I had this was at a restaurant, and love making them at home. This recipe is absolutely perfect

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Amazing!! I’m happy to bring that restaurant experience home to you through my recipe. Cheers!

  12. Gloria

    Patio season is just around the corner. Playing bartender with our guests is always fun. This will be a great drink to serve at bbq parties.

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Yes, well I’m hoping summer is just around the corner. We got another 5 inches of snow last night. ugh.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe