Easy Italian Margarita Cocktail with Amaretto

An Italian Margarita puts a sweet and nutty spin on the standard margarita cocktail!  The addition of Amaretto, and a little more orange flavoring, to the familiar tequila and lime of the classic Margarita, makes you feel like you are in sunny Italy.  Like in our Cranberry Margarita and Apple Cider Margarita, we have made a few delicious tweaks to the original but we have not lost what we love most about the Margarita.

Once you try this Italian twist, it will become your favorite happy hour cocktail! When it comes to summery cocktails you will love a refreshing Hugo Spritz, Northern Italy’s version of the traditional Aperol spritz.

Oranges are synonymous with Sicily, where they are infused into the food and culture. So if you love the way Sicilians use oranges in their cuisine you will love its subtle flavor in a bittersweet Black Manhattan AKA Sicilian Manhattan.

What Ingredients Go In An Italian Margarita?​

• Tequila: You simply can’t make a margarita without Tequila.  Select the best Tequila for your taste.  There are 3 main types of Tequila to choose from but you only need one:
  • Blanco Tequila :  Also known as silver Tequila, is aged for about 60 days.  It will usually have a bit more bite to it and is the go-to for mixing cocktails.
  • Reposado Tequila:  Reposado which means “rested” sits in the barrel for 2-11 months.  It has warmer tones and a smoother finish.  This is my choice for most cocktails that call for tequila.
  • Añejo Tequila :  Añejo means “old” and that is the perfect description for this type of tequila because it is aged for 1-3 years in oak barrels.  This has a very smooth finish, so it is reserved for sipping straight up.  You would not normally use this in a mixed drink, but of course if that is what you like, go for it!
• Amaretto:  This is sweet almond flavored liqueur that originated in Saronno Italy.  This is a silky liqueur that is perfect for sipping as an after-dinner drink either straight up or on the rocks.  It also perfectly complements other liquors in mixed drinks, such as my Sicilian Kiss Cocktail. 
• Triple sec or Cointreau: This is an orange flavored liqueur.  It is often used in mixed drinks such as margaritas, cosmopolitans, and Long Island Iced Tea.  You can substitute another orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or If you want to keep the Italian theme going, you can use Gran Gala.  Gran Gala is an Italian liqueur made with 3 varieties of Sicilian oranges (Sicilian Blood Oranges, Tarocco and Moro).
• Fresh lime juice and orange juice.  I recommend using fresh squeezed juice to get the freshest flavors in the cocktail.

How to Make the Perfect Cocktail​

1. Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.   
2. Give it a really good shake and strain into a prepared glass filled with ice. 
3. Garnish with orange slices or a lime wedge.  You can also add salt to the rim of the glass.  If you like your cocktail with additional sweetener, you may want to try a sugar rim!  

How to Add a Salt or Sugar Rim to a Glass

• Add water to a rimmed plate and pour salt or sugar into another rimmed plate.
• Hold your cocktail glass upside down and dip the rim of the glass first in the water and then in the salt or sugar.

What to Serve With This Italian Margarita Recipe​

This cocktail is perfect for a party!  So make a big batch and pair it with any of your favorite snacks and appetizers even if they aren’t Mexican or Italian. But if you are looking for some Italian recipes to inspire you for your next party, you may want to try my Italian Nachos, Arancini (Italian Rice Balls), a charcuterie board featuring Sicilian Eggplant Caponata, or an antipasto with Grilled Eggplant.  This refreshing cocktail is also great with Grilled Lollipop Lambchops or Garlic and Herb Grilled Shrimp with Honey. Really the possibilities are endless.