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    Home » Cocktail » Italian Margarita

    Italian Margarita

    Last updated on February 21, 2022. Originally posted on February 26, 2022 By Elaine 12 Comments

    154 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Italian Margarita Pinterest 2
    Italian Margarita Pinterest 1

    The Italian margarita is the cool older sister of the classic margarita. Made with tequila, amaretto, lime juice, and lemon juice, this light and refreshing cocktail is simply delicious.

    A metal tray with lime and salt strewn and two glasses with margaritas in them

    One of the things I love about this Italian margarita recipe is you don’t need to add any sweetener to it. The addition of the almond-flavored Italian liqueur amaretto helps to sweeten the combination of the the two citrus fruits.

    The almond liqueur gives this cocktail a robust taste. I think you’re going to really like it.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    Helpful tips

    • Everyone I’ve served this margarita to has agreed with me that it doesn’t need any additional sweetener like simple syrup or agave syrup. So, try it this way first and if after your first sip you find you would like it sweeter, add the sweetener ¼ ounce at a time. Because remember, you can easily add it, but you can’t subtract it.
    • I use Patron silver tequila in this margarita, but you can use any other tequila blanco or even a reposado tequila or añejo tequila.
    • Although most margaritas have either Cointreau, triple sec, or some other orange liqueur, this one does not. Don’t worry, you won’t miss it.
    • Wash your citrus before juicing them or adding it to your cocktail. Here is how: squirt some unscented, natural hand soap (I get the foaming soap in bulk at Whole Foods) in your hand and rub the fruit between your palms. Next, take a vegetable brush and brush the skin of the fruit. Finally, rinse the limes and lemons under cold water, making sure to remove all the soap.
    • Depending on the size of the lime, you can get 1 ounce of juice out of a large lime. You can also get 1 ounce of juice out of half of a large lemon.
    • Cut 2 lime wedges for garnish.
    • I chose to salt only one of the glasses as hubby prefers unsalted margaritas. Choose which you prefer.
    • Here is how to salt the rim of the glass. Add a chunky salt like kosher to a small plate. Wet your finger in some simple syrup and rub it around the rim of a glass. With the glass upside down, roll the rim around in the salt. With the glass still upside down, shake off any excess salt as you don’t want it to fall into the glass and make a salty margarita.

    How to make an Italian margarita

    Pre-step

    Get a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also get a measuring glass and two margarita glasses. I use a bowl shaped margarita glass and a double old fashioned glass.

    Step one

    Gather the ingredients – tequila, almond liqueur, limes, and lemon.

    Tequila, amaretto, lime and lemons on a table

    Step two

    Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (A)

    Step three

    Measure 3 ounces of amaretto or another almond liqueur. (B)

    Tequila and Amaretto measured out

    Step four

    Measure 1 ounce of fresh lime juice. (C)

    Step five

    Measure 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice. (D)

    Lime and lemon juices measured out

    Step six

    Add fresh ice cubes to the glasses. I like to use large cubes. Cap the shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Strain, divide and pour the Italian margarita between the two glasses.

    Split the ice from the shaker between the two glasses as well. Squeeze the juice from the lime wedges in each margarita.

    Vertical view of a bowl glass with amber liquid and lime in front of another glass

    What a gorgeous color!

    A salted glass in front of a bowl glass with margaritas in them with lemon and lime behind

    The flavor of this amber margarita is so delicious!

    A salted glass filled with an amber margarita in front of a tall bowl glass

    I hope you enjoyed this Italian margarita recipe. It’s such a fun cocktail.

    Other delicious margarita recipes

    • Pomegranate
    • Jalapeño
    • Sangria
    • Lemon curd

    And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

    If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

    A salted glass with a margarita in it on a metal tray with lime wedges - square

    Italian Margarita

    The Italian margarita is the cool older sister of the classic margarita. Made with tequila, amaretto, lime juice, and lemon juice, this light and refreshing cocktail is simply delicious.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cocktails
    Cuisine: Italian, Mexican
    Keyword: amaretto drinks, delicious margarita, italian margarita
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 margaritas
    Calories: 248kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    • 4 ounces tequila (silver or blanco)
    • 3 ounces amaretto (or almond liqueur)
    • 1 ounce lime juice
    • 1 ounce lemon juice

    Optional – try it without first

    • ¼ ounce simple syrup

    Garnish

    • 2 wedges lime
    • salt (kosher or Maldon chunky salt for rim – this is Optional)

    Instructions

    • If you want a salted glass – see notes below on how to salt the rim.
      salt
    • Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Get a measuring glass and glassware.
    • Add tequila, amaretto, lime juice and lemon juice.
      4 ounces tequila, 3 ounces amaretto, 1 ounce lime juice, 1 ounce lemon juice
    • Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds. (optional – take a spoon and taste to make sure it is sweet enough for you – take a few tastes, if you need it sweeter, add ¼ ounce of simple syrup. Cap and shake again – and taste it again – but I believe you won't need it.)
      ¼ ounce simple syrup
    • Add fresh ice to the glassware. Strain and divide the liquid between the two glasses.
    • Squeeze a lime wedge into each of the glasses.
      2 wedges lime
    • Sip
    • Smile
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    cocktail shaker
    measuring glass
    margarita glass
    double old fashioned glass
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    Please try the margarita first without simple syrup. Give it a taste and if you don’t find it sweet enough, add ¼ ounce. And if you still find it needs sweetener, add another ¼ ounce.
    Helpful tips
    • Everyone I’ve served this margarita to has agreed with me that it doesn’t need any additional sweetener like simple syrup or agave syrup. So, try it this way first and if after your first sip you find you would like it sweeter, add the sweetener ¼ ounce at a time. Because remember, you can easily add it, but you can’t subtract it.
    • Wash your citrus before juicing them or adding it to your cocktail. Here is how: squirt some unscented, natural hand soap (I get the foaming soap in bulk at Whole Foods) in your hand and rub the fruit between your palms. Next, take a vegetable brush and brush the skin of the fruit. Finally, rinse the limes and lemons under cold water, making sure to remove all the soap.
    • I find that depending on the size of the lime, you can get 1 ounce of juice out of a large lime. You can also get 1 ounce of juice out of half of a large lemon.
    • Cut 2 lime wedges for garnish.
    • I chose to salt only one of the glasses as hubby prefers unsalted margaritas. Chose which you prefer.
    • Here is how to salt the rim of a glass. Add a chunky salt like kosher to a small plate. Wet your finger in some simple syrup and rub it around the rim of a glass. With the glass upside down, roll the rim around in the salt. With the glass still upside down, shake off any excess salt as you don’t want it to fall into the glass and make a salty margarita.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1margarita | Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joyce

      February 27, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      Made this last night and both my hubby and son loved it – and I drank 2. 🙂

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 28, 2022 at 11:47 am

        Lol. Fun, thanks so much for telling me Joyce. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Claudia Lamascolo

      February 28, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      my kind of drink I love the ingredients and perfect on a hot day when serving guests!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 28, 2022 at 3:02 pm

        Thanks so much Claudia! 🙂 My kind of drink too!

        Reply
    3. Linda

      February 28, 2022 at 2:24 pm

      Being a margarita fan, this drink was a no-brainer to try. And we loved it! I have made a lot of different flavors of margaritas but never thought to change out the triple sec for amaretto. What a delightful and delicious surprise. I’ll be adding this to my repertoire for sure!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        February 28, 2022 at 3:03 pm

        I’m so glad to hear that Linda! I also appreciate you letting me know. Cheers.

        Reply
        • Andrea

          February 28, 2022 at 3:28 pm

          I can’t wait to try this Italian Margarita. I’m intrigued by the use of Amaretto. It sounds delicious!

          Reply
          • Elaine

            March 01, 2022 at 10:00 am

            Thanks, Andrea! I’m a sucker for Amaretto in cocktails! And margarita’s are my favorite!

            Reply
    4. Liz C

      February 28, 2022 at 3:15 pm

      You had me at margarita but adding amaretto to it, WOW! I never would have thought to add amaretto to a margarita but wow this recipe was amazing. I married into an Italian family and I love bringing new recipes to them so I can’t wait to have them try this one because it was DELICIOUS!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        March 01, 2022 at 9:58 am

        I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Liz. Thanks for letting me know and I hope your family enjoys it as well. Cheers!

        Reply
    5. Casey

      February 28, 2022 at 4:17 pm

      Everything about this drink is perfection! I LOVED the double dose of citrus! I may have had 2..or 3….

      Reply
      • Elaine

        March 01, 2022 at 9:59 am

        Lol! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Casey! Thanks so much for telling me! It’s one of my fav’s!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

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    154 shares