Italian Margarita Recipe with Amaretto

This Italian Margarita recipe is easy to make with just four ingredients! Orange juice, tequila, amaretto and lime juice combine in this delicious cocktail recipe. 

I have fond memories of these Italian Margaritas. Unfortunately, it’s not some cool story where I was sipping on these cocktails in Lake Como. Instead, my love for Italian Margaritas originated at The Olive Garden.

Sorry to burst your bubble. 

But hear me out. These Italian Margaritas are absolutely delicious. And 100% better that the ones you’ll find at the garden…

What’s an Italian Margarita?

This Italian Margarita is a twist on a standard margarita cocktail. Made with tequila and fresh lime juice. However, instead of an orange liqueur like triple sec or Cointreau, this Italian margarita uses amaretto, an almond liqueur. It gives a delicious sweet richness to this cocktail, with no need for added sweeteners or simple syrup.

At the Olive Garden, if I remember correctly, they rim their glasses with an orange-hued sugar. I chose to rim my amaretto margaritas with salt. You could also rim them with sugar, or a combination of sugar and salt. Or, have fun with these easy homemade citrus salts, and use them to rim your cocktails.

What’s in an Italian Margarita from Olive Garden

My copycat Olive Garden Italian Margarita recipe has these four ingredients:

• Orange Juice
• Lime Juice
• Tequila
• Amaretto

How to Make an Italian Margarita

• Simply add some orange juice, lime juice, tequila and amaretto to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well then strain into a glass filled with ice.

You can also double or triple this Italian Margarita recipe, rather than making one at a time.

When we have friends over for carnitas, I like to make a big batch of this margarita recipe in a pitcher. You can also prep the salt (or sugar) rimmed glasses ahead of time too.

You can also have fun with this margarita recipe by switching up the types of oranges you use. Blood oranges will lend a beautiful magenta hue to these cocktails, while Cara Cara oranges will have a hint more sweetness and a light pink color.

Margarita Recipes

• Grapefruit Habanero Margarita
• Hibiscus Margarita
• Grilled Pineapple Margarita with Jalapeno

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Italian Margarita Recipe

Course: Cocktail

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: amaretto margarita, italian margarita, margarita, orange margarita

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 1 cocktail

Calories: 263 kcal

Author: Platings & Pairings

This Italian Margarita recipe is easy to make with just four ingredients! Orange juice, tequila, amaretto and lime juice combine in this delicious cocktail recipe. 

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Ingredients

• 3 ounces fresh squeezed orange juice
• 2 ounces silver or blanco 100% agave tequila
• 1 ounce Amaretto
• 1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice

Instructions

1. Add ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake well to combine. 

2. Strain into a salt or sugar rimmed glass full of ice. Garnish with fresh orange and lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts

Italian Margarita Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 263

% Daily Value*

Sodium 4mg0%

Potassium 170mg5%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Sugar 16g18%

Vitamin A 170IU3%

Vitamin C 51.1mg62%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.