Bring on the margaritas -- made popular from the Olive Garden, this Italian margarita with amaretto comes with the perfect sweet and sour balance for one refreshing cocktail. This easy margarita recipe takes just a few minutes to whip up, and you only need a handful of fresh ingredients.

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Love a twist on a classic margarita? Same. And that's exactly why I'm bringing you this amaretto-spiked margarita.
We still get plenty of bright lime that we all know and love from our margaritas, but the amaretto adds a welcomed richness to make one unforgettable tequila cocktail. I find amaretto is one of those flavors that people love, but for whatever reason, it's rarely the first liqueur that comes to mind when mixing drinks.
So how about we put an end to that? People love margaritas, and people love amaretto. Let's flex those hosting skills and give the people what they want at our next gathering -- enter this ridiculously delicious amaretto Italian margarita recipe.
Ingredients
Tequila: I prefer a reposado tequila over a blanco tequila. Sure, you can use blanco, otherwise known as silver tequila, but I love the flavor of reposado over blanco, especially with our nutty amaretto.
Reposado spends some time aging in oak barrels, which gives it a complexity that blanco lacks along with a hint of vanilla that's perfect with the almond. One sip and I have no doubt you'll agree reposado is the best tequila for this recipe.
Fresh lime juice and orange juice: No margarita mix here. We only use fresh juice for superior results. A mix just can't compete with the brightness of real lime juice.
Amaretto: Typically, I like to use an orange liqueur in my margaritas, such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier or triple sec, but we're replacing that with this delicious liqueur instead. Matt and I tried this margarita with only amaretto and then a combination of amaretto and orange liqueur. We both preferred the amaretto-only version. To us, this really allowed that delicious almond flavor to shine.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Besides being ridiculously delicious and a guaranteed crowd favorite, I love serving margaritas when playing hostess because they’re super simple to make. If you can squeeze juice and pour liquor, you have all the mixology skills necessary to make one fine margarita. Let's get to it.
Step 1: If you'd like a salted rim, we first cut a slit in the middle of a lime slice and run it around the rim of our glass to moisten. We then pour some coarse sea salt on a small plate and swirl the rim of the glass in the sea salt (photo 1) and set aside.
Step 2: For our drink, we simply add tequila, lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup and amaretto to a cocktail shaker with ice (photo 2).
Step 3: We pop on the top and give it a good shake (photo 3). About 15-30 seconds generally works.
Step 4: For our final step, we strain the margarita into our rimmed glass with ice (photo 4).
And just like that, you have the tastiest Italian margarita you’ve ever tasted. See? Easy as can be.
Recipe FAQs
Amaretto is a sweet almond liqueur from Saronno, Italy, which gives this margarita its Italian flair. Not only is this liqueur delicious in cocktails, but it also adds a richness to desserts, such as my amaretto-strawberry-Nutella puff pastry tart. While you can pick up amaretto from different distillers, Disaronno is the top-shelf brand and my favorite choice.
Absolutely! Simply mix the ingredients together in a large pitcher and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. I recommend serving within 24 hours. After that, the citrus juices start to lose their brightness.
While you can buy simple syrup, I much prefer to make my own. Simply combine 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Expert Tips
Get the most out of your lime: I recommend first rolling the lime firmly on the countertop a few times. This gets the juice flowing. A handheld juicer is also helpful.
Customize to suit your taste: While that delicious Italian liqueur is sweet, I still like a smidge of simple syrup. To me, it rounds out the flavor. But if you prefer a less sweet drink, feel free to skip the simple syrup. You can always pour it in afterward if you change your mind.
Pick the right limes: Get limes that have some give when you squeeze them. If the limes are hard, they're dried out.
Get a good shake: For the proper shaking technique, use two hands to really give you enough force to agitate the mixture.
Perfect Pairing
Amaretto gives these tequila cocktails a sweeter quality than your typical margarita, so I love pairing this drink with a dessert. The nutty, rich amaretto works especially well with chocolate, and cherries match beautifully to the vanilla and oak flavors that come from reposado. With that in mind, you’ll love pairing my frozen chocolate-cherry mousse pie or chocolate-covered cherry cheesecake with this Italian margarita.
When you need a sweet, delicious twist on a classic margarita, I hope you try this Italian margarita with amaretto.
Cheers!
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📖 Recipe
The Best Italian Margarita
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker or jar with solid lid
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or small measuring cup
Ingredients
- Lime slices for garnish, optional
- Coarse sea salt for garnish, optional
- 2 ounces tequila preferably reposado
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime about 1 lime
- ½ ounce simple syrup see note
- Ice
Instructions
- Cut a lime slice in the middle to make a slit and run it along the rim of your serving glass. Pour coarse sea salt onto a small plate and swirl the moistened rim in the salt. Add ice to the glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, amaretto, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup and ice. Put the top on and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds.
- Strain into serving glass. Garnish with an additional lime slice if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a less sweet drink, feel free to skip the simple syrup. You can always pour it in afterward if you change your mind.
- You can buy simple syrup or make your own. To make your own, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks.
- I recommend first rolling the lime firmly on the countertop a few times. This gets the juice flowing. A handheld juicer is also helpful.
- Get limes that have some give when you squeeze them. If the limes are hard, they're dried out.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Toni says
I seriously love how refreshing it is!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Toni!
Colleen says
We love this cocktail at Olive Garden, so I was so happy to see this recipe. We enjoyed these on the patio this weekend. Thank you!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Sounds like you had a great weekend!
Amy Roskelley says
This would be great to serve at a dinner party!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
100%! These are always a hit.
Raquel says
This was a delicious cocktail! Everyone loved it!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Raquel! That makes me happy to hear it.
Jessica Formicola says
I love a good margarita, and this Italian margarita is one of them best! The fresh ingredients really send it over the top!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I think so!
Penny says
Very similar to what I have been making. Love that this recipe didn’t make the orange juice the main ingredient. As saw one using 3 oz to 2 oz tequila and 1 oz amaretto. I used a splash of bottled oj in my version to keep the tequila and amaretto front and center. 1/2 lime juiced. But when I have oranges to squeeze, I know this is the recipe to use exactly as written. I would only use 3 oz oj (bottled) if doing brunch or a luncheon. But for evening, let the tequila and amaretto shine. I only used 1/2 lime squeezed because all I had on hand. Usually 1 lime squeezed per any cocktail. I rated it 4 stars here bc I know the oj is not the shining taste. But once I make it. I know it will be 5 stars.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Penny! I can't wait for you to try it with the freshly squeezed orange juice and am glad you enjoyed it so far!
Leslie says
What a fun, summer drink to try! This would be so great to serve at a summer gathering with friends.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
For sure!
Jen says
I have never used amaretto in a margarita before. What a game changer. So good.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Yay! Happy to hear you enjoyed.
Elaine says
Quality margarita recipes are just never enough, that's for sure. I love this recipe because it also makes making this drink quick and easy... And the result is absolutely fantastic!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So glad you loved it!
Tammy says
This sounds wonderful and looks so beautiful too! I love your twist on this! Cheers ^_^
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Tammy!
Veronika says
I need this drink right now! It's perfectly refreshing for a hot day like today! Making it tonight!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you loved it, Veronika!
Tatiana says
Your drinks always amaze me! I always come to your blog to see what's new and start my Happy Hour! This margarita was the chosen one yesterday and is my new favorite, I love it!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Awww, yay! I'm so glad to hear that.
Anna says
Thirsty just looking at these margaritas! It's my favourite cocktail ever, but never tried it mixing with Amaretto! The taste must be incredible, I've got my best friend coming over to visit tomorrow and was going to make my frozen pineapple margaritas, but now I think I will make these instead!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
That sounds so fun! Hope you both love it!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Mmmm yes please with extra ice! This sounds so refreshing on a hot summer day! I can see these for our next cookout or served by the pool!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
That would be the perfect occasion for this margarita!
Georgina @ CulinaryTravels says
Ooh this looks delicious. Perfect for drinking in the hot sunny weather.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Absolutely! It's super refreshing.