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Italian Margarita Recipe with Amaretto

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

January 21, 2025

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5 from 52 votes

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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. 

Three glasses of Italian Margarita rimmed with salt and garnished with orange and lime slices.

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Can’t get enough margarita recipes? Be sure to try my St. German Margarita, Spicy Grapefruit Margarita, Grilled Pineapple Margarita and Hibiscus Margarita too!

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.

What is amaretto?

  • Amaretto is 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.

Overhead close up of glass of Italian Margarita.
Three glasses of Italian Margarita rimmed with salt and garnished with orange and lime slices next to bottle of amaretto liqueur.

What’s in an Italian Margarita from Olive Garden

My copycat Olive Garden Italian Margarita recipe has just 4-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. I like to garnish with these dried orange slices, or add in a wedge of lime.

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.

Three glasses of Italian Margarita rimmed with salt and garnished with orange and lime slices.
Hand holding glass of Italian Margarita rimmed with salt and garnished with orange and lime slices.

More tasty margarita recipes:

  • Grapefruit Habanero Margarita
  • Hibiscus Margarita
  • Grilled Pineapple Margarita with Jalapeno
  • Elderflower Margaritas
  • White Christmas Margarita
  • More → 30+ Flavored Margaritas
  • Plus → 30+ Tequila Cocktails

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Save Recipe – Before Recipe Card

Three glasses of Italian Margarita rimmed with salt and garnished with orange and lime slices.

Full Recipe

Italian Margarita Recipe

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. 
5 from 52 votes
Print Pin
Serves 1 cocktail
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 10 minutes mins

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

  • Add ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake well to combine. 
  • Strain into a salt or sugar rimmed glass full of ice. Garnish with fresh orange and lime wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 170mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 170IU | Vitamin C: 51.1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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5 from 52 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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26 responses

  1. Leaca
    April 26, 2020

    5 stars
    I really liked these. Normally I take a recipe and run but I had to come back and say how much I liked these.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      April 27, 2020

      I’m so happy you liked them Leaca!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer
    May 8, 2021

    5 stars
    Very good. Much better than the olive garden.

    Reply
  3. Donna
    December 2, 2022

    This sounds exactly what I’ve been looking for and can’t wait to make it for my 86 yr old mothers birthday party on Christmas eve but…nothing says how much to use?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      December 4, 2022

      Hi Donna – Happy birthday to your mom! The recipe card at the bottom of the post has all the measurements. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Karen
    February 11, 2023

    I’m looking for a fun Superbowl drink and found this interesting. My refrigerator is filled to the brim with game day apps/food. We’re going out to eat tonight because of the lack of fridge real estate. That settles it…going to Olive Garden, and probably stopping by liquor store en route home for these ingredients. Thank You!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      February 15, 2023

      Cheers Karen!

      Reply
  5. Sono Gin
    April 21, 2023

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! I believe everything goes better with Amaretto and I just bought some extremely juicy oranges. I think I just found my favorite margarita! Grazie mille! È il migliore!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      April 24, 2023

      Thanks so much for trying it!

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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