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.
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.
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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 1/4 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.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (A)
Step three
Measure 3 ounces of amaretto or another almond liqueur. (B)
Step four
Measure 1 ounce of fresh lime juice. (C)
Step five
Measure 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice. (D)
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.
What a gorgeous color!
The flavor of this amber margarita is so delicious!
I hope you enjoyed this Italian margarita recipe. It’s such a fun cocktail.
Other delicious margarita recipes
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!
Italian Margarita
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
- 1/4 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 1/4 ounce of simple syrup. Cap and shake again – and taste it again – but I believe you won't need it.)1/4 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
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- 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 1/4 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.
