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.
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:
- Grapefruit Habanero Margarita
- Hibiscus Margarita
- Grilled Pineapple Margarita with Jalapeno
- Elderflower Margaritas
- White Christmas Margarita
- More → 30+ Flavored Margaritas
Italian Margarita Recipe
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.
Oh my goodness. The color of those drinks alone has made me seriously thirsty! I’m making this stat!!
Cheers Mary!
What a gorgeous cocktail! And although they are inspired by ones at Olive Garden, I am sure they are MUCH better than any served there! Such a great drink for these hot summer days.
Agreed Marlynn – I love margaritas in the summertime!
I’m off alcohol while I’m on a prescription drug, but I bet something like Seedlip could sit in for the alcohol. I do miss cocktails, and this one sounds great!
I’d love to hear it that swap works well for your Meg!!! Cheers.
This sounds so refreshing and I love the idea of that layer of flavor from the almond from the amaretto!
Thanks Pech! Cheers!!
Amaretto and tequila are such an interesting combination and probably play together wonderfully- I’ll have to try one of these sometime!
These photos are absolutely gorgeous and the drink itself sounds so refreshing and delicious!
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!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Celina!
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!
I hope you love it! Cheers!!
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
Want to make this but only have Reposado tequila available. Will that work?
Definitely! Cheers Angela!
I really liked these. Normally I take a recipe and run but I had to come back and say how much I liked these.
I’m so happy you liked them Leaca!
Very good. Much better than the olive garden.
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?
Hi Donna – Happy birthday to your mom! The recipe card at the bottom of the post has all the measurements. Hope that helps!
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!
Cheers Karen!
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!
Thanks so much for trying it!