Italian Margarita Recipe With Amaretto
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.Radiant citrus and smooth amaretto make this Italian margarita one of my favorite fusion cocktails that takes less than 5 minutes to make. I shake tequila, fresh orange juice, and lime juice with ice for a drink that is sweet, tart, and wonderfully crisp with a slight bitter undertone. After you have tried this recipe, you will never use premade margarita mix again.
There is a reason that margaritas are the number 1 cocktail in America, and this Italian margarita is without a doubt number 1 in my kitchen. This version takes a scenic route and adds amaretto for a mellow almond note that pairs well with orange and lime. I love a fun drink like my famous witches brew cocktail, but sometimes I need something that looks and tastes elegant. Why not make your own cocktails the next time you have guests over and impress everyone with this recipe?
Ever since I learned how to make frose, I have been experimenting with homemade cocktails. I first started making this Italian margarita after trying it at a restaurant years ago. The combination of nutty Amaretto with bright citrus was so unexpected, I thought about it for days afterward. I knew I had to recreate it at home. We hosted a cookout complete with homemade cocktails and noticed most of the men just stuck to beer, until one of them tried a sip and started raving about it. Pretty soon, everyone had a bright orange margarita in hand.
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
Few cocktails earn repeat status in my kitchen, and this Italian margarita has certainly proved itself. Fresh orange and lime juice bring vitamin C, and I like using 100% agave tequila where I can as a more mindful swap. The amaretto adds sweetness without needing heavy or artificial syrups. As a nutritionist, I love a homemade cocktail where I can control the sugar and include ingredients with actual nutritional value.
Cocktails can be tricky when it comes to achieving that perfect balance in every sip. This Italian margarita is so easy to make, and tastes like it could have been made by a mixologist. And since half the appeal of cocktails is in their appearance, I start by turning my glass into a classic margarita vessel and add sugar to the rim. Then I add the amaretto, juices, ice, and tequila to a shaker and shake until everything is chilled. I serve this drink over fresh ice, to keep it chilled, without diluting the flavors or alcohol, because what’s the fun in that?
A friend of mine loves an attractive cocktail, and this Italian margarita was one of her favorites. But all her cocktails had to be put on hold when she found out she was pregnant. She told me numerous times how much she missed this margarita specifically and that she had even dreamt about it. Ha! You can imagine my shock when I visited my very pregnant friend and found her sitting next to the pool with an Italian margarita in hand. Turns out she made a virgin version with agave syrup, pineapple skin, and a dash of white pepper. Be sure to try out the amazing flavors in this drink, and experiment with mocktail versions too.
Latest Recipe Video!
🥘 Ingredients
I keep the ingredients for this Italian margarita simple with a short list. This is everything I use:
Tequila: For a clean, crisp flavor, I use blanco tequila, and for a warmer finish, I use reposado.
Amaretto: This Italian liqueur adds almond notes and gentle sweetness that make the drink unique.
Orange juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice works best for this recipe.
Lime juice: I use this to balance the sweeter ingredients.
Sugar: I use granulated sugar on the rim of the glass for a sweet first sip and classic appearance.
Ice: Plenty of ice chills the drink quickly and gives it the right viscosity after shaking.
Orange and lime slices: I add fresh slices for garnish and additional aroma.
🔪 How To Make
This is how I make this cocktail in just a few minutes:
Coat the rim: I start by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of the glass.
Dip in sugar: Then I dip the rim into sugar, making sure to coat the circumference.
Combine: Next, I fill a shaker with ice and pour in the tequila, amaretto, orange juice, and lime juice.
Shake: I seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the outside of the container turns frosty.
Serve: I fill the prepared glass with fresh ice, strain in the cocktail, and finish with citrus slices. I serve this cocktail immediately and enjoy it.
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for this Italian margarita recipe is to use freshly squeezed citrus juice. Bottle juice can taste flat or too sharp. They also contain additives and preservatives, which give the juice a thick, opaque appearance. Freshly squeezed juice yields a clearer liquid, which gives the cocktail a cleaner taste and look.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Shake hard: A strong shake blends the citrus and amaretto properly while adding the right amount of chill throughout the liquid, which makes it refreshing.
- Taste first: If my oranges are very sweet, I add a touch more lime juice before serving to keep flavors harmonious.
- Fine sugar: I like using caster sugar for the rim as the smaller crystals do a better job of adhering to the rim.
📖 Variations
I love switching up this Italian margarita depending on the company and the occasion. These are 3 I recommend to everyone:
Blood Orange: I swap out regular orange juice for 2 oz of freshly squeezed blood orange juice. This gives my cocktail a richer color and flavor. I love keeping a few slices of orange aside and dipping them in sugar for an edible garnish.
Zero proof: For a non alcoholic version with the same flavors and energy, I shake 2 oz fresh orange juice, 1 oz lime juice, 1 ounce almond syrup or orgeat with 2 ounces sparkling water and ice. I serve this over fresh ice, and my kids love this sophisticated upgrade from regular OJ.
Limoncello Mix: I replace the lime juice with limoncello for a sweeter Italian spin. This is a great option for those who would rather not taste the alcohol in a cocktail. My sister loves this version.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
I love serving this Italian margarita with salty or savory bites, and it is ideal for a relaxed tapas-style dinner. Try it with my bruschetta burrata or my crispy parmesan kale chips. It also pairs extremely well with a vegetarian cheeseboard. I have made myself a mini version of this cheeseboard along with a cocktail for a much-needed girls’ dinner.
When my husband and I were home alone, we decided to break protocol and have a cocktail lounge-inspired dinner. I poured the margaritas into the fanciest glasses I could find, and served bowls of fresh olives alongside mushroom toast and air fryer mozzarella sticks. We finished off the night with coffee and a few pieces of my gluten free biscotti with apricots and walnuts. The whole thing was very debonair, apart from the fact that we were in our pajamas. Ha!
🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Refrigeration: I store any extra mixture without ice in a covered jar or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freezing: I freeze leftover mixture in ice cube trays, then blend the cubes later for a frozen cocktail, or allow to thaw in the refrigerator.
Reheating: There is no reheating needed here as this drink is best served chilled.
❓Recipe FAQs
Why has my cocktail become watery after a few minutes?
This usually happens from too much melted ice. I shake the mix with ice, then strain it over fresh cubes so the serving stays cold. It also helps serve the drinks in chilled glasses, but make sure you are using glasses that can handle extreme temperatures. This helps the drink stay crisp for longer.
What can I use instead of amaretto?
If I am out of amaretto, I use another liqueur such as Frangelico, which is made from hazelnuts and offers a similar sweet and nutty taste. And in a pinch, a splash of orange or apricot liqueur works wonderfully, even though it does change the flavor profile. When using sweeter liqueurs, be sure to add more lime juice to keep everything balanced.
How do I turn this recipe into a frozen margarita?
For a slushy-style cocktail, I add 1 cup of ice, 2 oz of fresh orange juice, and 1 oz lime juice to a blender, then blend until smooth and slushy. If it seems too thick, I add a bit more orange juice, and if it is too thin, I add a few more ice cubes. This can also be done with cubes of frozen orange juice to avoid watering down the flavors. I pour the drink into sugar-rimmed glasses and serve immediately.
Love this Delicious drink recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page!
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food, and if you have any questions, I’m here to help!
📋 Recipe Card
🎥 Watch How to Make It
Italian Margarita Recipe With Amaretto
Radiant citrus and smooth amaretto make this Italian margarita one of my favorite fusion cocktails that takes less than 5 minutes to make. I shake tequila, fresh orange juice, and lime juice with ice for a drink that is sweet, tart, and wonderfully crisp with a slight bitter undertone. After you have tried this recipe, you will never use premade margarita mix again.
Servings: 1 margarita
Calories: 276kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lime wedge
- sugar (for decorating the rim of the glass, not to be included in the actual mixed drink – about 1 tsp needed to coat each glass, maybe more depending on how big the glass is).
- 1 shot Amaretto
- 1 shot Tequila
- ½ cup ice cubes
- ½ lime juiced
- ½ orange juiced (you'll need 1/2 cup juice)
- orange and lime slices to serve
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass to moisten the rim. Dip the rim of the glass into the sugar to coat the edge.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the Amaretto, Tequila, ice, lime juice, and orange juice. Cover the shaker with a lid and shake well.
- Pour into the prepared glass. Serve the margarita with orange and lime slices.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this Italian margarita recipe is to use freshly squeezed citrus juice. Bottle juice can taste flat or too sharp. They also contain additives and preservatives, which give the juice a thick, opaque appearance. Freshly squeezed juice yields a clearer liquid, which gives the cocktail a cleaner taste and look.
- Shake hard: A strong shake blends the citrus and amaretto properly while adding the right amount of chill throughout the liquid, which makes it refreshing.
- Taste first: If my oranges are very sweet, I add a touch more lime juice before serving to keep flavors harmonious.
- Fine sugar: I like using caster sugar for the rim as the smaller crystals do a better job of adhering to the rim.
Nutrition
Serving: 1drink | Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g
Very nice and easy to prepare and is very tasty thanks
So glad you liked this recipe Johel!
I love colorful drinks and this Italian margarita is just my kind. Pinning this for later!
Thanks Sandhya! You will love this recipe!
Love this idea! What a delicious spin on my favorite cocktail.
Totally!! It’s a fun way to mix things up! 🙂
Italian’s sure know how to make margaritas! This recipe is incredible and we will be making them often!
Thanks so much!! So glad you liked it!
I love the color! It is so bright and cheery!
Thanks Jess! Enjoy!
This sounds incredible! My mom loves margaritas and amaretto, so I am going to surprise her with this during our Thanksgiving visit!
Yay! I’m sure you will both love this recipe – can’t wait for you to try it!