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. 

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.

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.

If you loved this Italian Margarita I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your cocktail and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

More tasty margarita recipes:

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

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
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail

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.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 170mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 170IU | Vitamin C: 51.1mg

26 thoughts on “Italian Margarita Recipe with Amaretto”

  1. 5 stars
    My love for Italian Margaritas started at Olive Garden too!! When I visit, I almost always order one!! 😬 I made your recipe.. so much better!! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so thrilled to store this recipe for many to try. Thanks a ton!

    Reply
  2. We have a restaurant/lounge in the area that serves a fantastic Italian Margarita, and I have searched for recipes for one that would replicate it, but most of the recipes that I found used either a bunch of special ingredients that I am not buying, or a simple syrup that I am not making! This one has everything that I am looking for…things that are already in my house or that I can easily pick up at the store when I am there. I cannot wait to try this. It looks delightful!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    Just made this. I was a bit skeptical of orange juice /Lime with amaretto but it was really delicious I am planning on serving this at a after wedding brunch just need to watch how much you drink. The alcohol goes down so easy I can imagine being drunk before you know it

    Reply
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




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