This Italian margarita recipe uses amaretto to give this classic cocktail a makeover! Fresh orange juice and almond liqueur bring unique twist to the flavors that’s irresistible.
Want a simple makeover for your margarita? Try this Italian margarita recipe! Just like Mexican Pizza, this drink is a fusion of the best of Italian and Mexican cuisines: this time in cocktail form!
Why we love this recipe: This Mediterranean version of the classic cocktail swaps out orange liqueur for amaretto, and the almond essence adds a distinctly Italian vibe. Alex and I are big fans of traveling in Italy (Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast are faves): so of course we had to try the Italian margarita!
Ingredients in an Italian margarita
An Italian margarita is a variation on a classic margarita that uses amaretto in place of the orange liqueur (Cointreau), in combination with orange juice, lime juice, and tequila. The flavor has notes of almond and citrus on the finish, but the beginning of the sip tastes like your favorite margarita. Think of it as a sophisticated version of a margarita, kind of like the Cadillac Margarita. Here’s what’s in an Italian margarita:
- Tequila
- Orange or blood orange juice
- Amaretto
- Lime juice
Use blood orange juice for the brilliant color
You can use orange juice from a standard navel orange and this Italian margarita turns out with a warm orange color. But for a brilliantly colored cocktail, use blood orange juice!
Blood oranges have sweet juice and a bright pink color. We love this spin on it because it’s so eye-catching, just like our blood orange margarita. If you can find blood oranges, they’re absolutely worth buying. You can also find bottled blood orange juice at many grocery stores.
Cheater tip: If you like the look but can’t find blood oranges, a drizzle of pomegranate juice or cranberry juice would work too!
What’s the best tequila to use?
Many people suggest using tequila blanco for margaritas, but generally we prefer the robust flavor of tequila reposado. Here’s what to know about the best tequila for margaritas
- Tequila blanco (silver or white tequila) has been aged less than 2 months and has a strong, straightforward flavor.
- Tequila reposado (“rested” in Spanish) is aged longer, from 2 to 12 months. It has a more nuanced flavor, with notes of oak and vanilla.
Either way, try to find a mid-price range tequila when you make an Italian margarita. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35.
What is amaretto?
Amaretto is an almond liqueur that originates from Italy. Today it’s made around the world and is stocked in bars worldwide. It has a distinctive flavor that’s both sweet and bitter (amaretto means in Italian “little bitter”). You may know the flavor from the popular amaretto cookies, a popular Italian sweet.
It’s worth getting a bottle for your shelf: you can use it in cocktails and in desserts! More drinks that feature amaretto are an Amaretto Sour, Amaretto Coffee, or a French Connection.
How to make an Italian margarita: step by step
The Italian margarita follows the typical margarita pattern: salt the rim, shake in a cocktail shaker, strain, garnish, serve. Shaking the drink allows it to get thoroughly chilled while slightly diluting the alcohol. Here’s an overview of how to make an Italian margarita (or jump to the recipe below):
- Step 1: Rim the glass with salt. Our favorite way is to cut a notch in a lime wedge and run it around the glass. Then dip the glass into a plate of kosher salt or flaky sea salt and rotate until the rim is covered.
- Step 2: Shake the tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and amaretto in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes until cold.
- Step 3: Strain into the glass and serve. Garnish with an orange and lime wedge. You’ve made your Italian margarita!
Food to serve with Italian margaritas
Quick note: what type of food would you serve with Italian margaritas? You can go either way: Mexican or Italian style!
- The drink is pretty tequila-forward, so you could go Mexican and serve with chips, guacamole, and shrimp tacos.
- Or, go Italian style with vodka sauce pasta, a chopped salad, and a cheese board with marinated olives.
Two ways to step it up
Last note: here are a few ways to take this Italian margarita over the top! Alex and I love to make these when we have time:
- Clear ice is artisanal ice that is perfectly clear (not cloudy), and looks like fancy ice you’d get in a bar. It’s absolutely game changing for your homemade cocktails!
- This margarita salt with colorful orange and green of citrus zest is eye-catching and perfect for entertaining.
More margarita recipes
Alex and I are big margarita fans over here, so we’ve got lots of spins on this classic drink. Here are some of our favorite margarita recipes:
- Go simple with a classic margarita recipe, frozen margarita, Patron margarita, agave margarita, or Cointreau margarita.
- Step it up with a Mezcal margarita, beer margarita, jalapeno margarita, or Cadillac margarita.
- Go fruity with a pineapple margarita, strawberry margarita, mango margarita, or
- Skip the booze for a virgin margarita.
Frequently asked questions
While amaretto is a key ingredient, an Italian Margarita offers a more complex flavor profile compared to a classic margarita. The amaretto adds a touch of almond sweetness that complements the tequila and lime.
Amaretto, a sweet almond liqueur, is originally from Italy. This liqueur adds a distinctive Italian touch to the margarita.
An Italian Margarita is typically shaken with ice to create a frothy texture, similar to a classic margarita.
For an Italian touch, dip the rim of the glass in amaretto before coating it with sugar or a coarse salt like sea salt.
Not at all! You can use standard orange juice and the drink will be orange in color.
Italian Margarita
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Prep Time: 5 minutes -
Cook Time: 0 minutes
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Total Time: 5 minutes
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Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
This Italian margarita recipe uses amaretto to give this classic cocktail a makeover! Fresh orange juice and almond liqueur bring unique twist to the flavors that’s irresistible.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) tequila blanco or reposado*
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) fresh squeezed orange juice or blood orange juice
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) amaretto
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lime juice
- Kosher salt or flaky sea salt (or margarita salt), for the rim
- For the garnish: Lime wedge, orange slice
- Clear ice, if serving on the rocks
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of kosher or flaky sea salt.
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
- Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve garnished with a lime wedge and orange slice. (Consider using our clear ice for an artisan touch.)
Notes
Using blood orange juice gives the drink a bright red color; you can also use fresh squeezed orange juice for an orange color. Both drinks taste similarly citrusy.
For fun rim ideas, try margarita salt (with orange and lime zest), or a spicy Tajin rim. You could also use superfine sugar for rimming to bring out the sweet notes in the amaretto.
Category: Drinks
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Italian Margarita