I must admit it, I had never heard of Italian Margarita until a couple of days ago. I was doing some topic research to find inspiration for the following posts to write, and apparently, lots of people are looking up this drink’s recipe.
At first, I was surprised. I mean, I come from a part of Italy where bars barely serve margaritas at all. The people here tend to like other drinks. Who would have thought that there is even a different type of margarita that everyone associates with us, without us knowing it?
Then, I read that this drink was made famous by Olive Garden. We don’t have it in Italy, so it’s not a surprise that we don’t know its staples. But now I was curious to know what this drink tasted like.
What makes it different from a classic margarita cocktail?
A traditional margarita is made with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a line of salt on the rim of the glass. Occasionally it includes a Sweet & Sour mix. The Italian version, on the other hand, is made by replacing triple sec with about one shot of amaretto liqueur.
Amaretto is a typical almond liqueur from Liguria. It originated 500 years ago in the town of Saronno and is now distributed worldwide.
It is made through the infusion of bitter almonds and herbs in an alcoholic solution. This makes it perfect for home production. In fact, although there are two major producers in the city of Saronno alone (including the world-famous Disaronno), many families make it themselves, often adding apricots to the traditional recipe.
Other variants of the Olive Garden Italian Margherita are made with limoncello, orange liqueur, or even Grand Marnier.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. I think it is fair to say that amaretto is to Ligurian families what limoncello is to southern regions. After all, they are both made by infusing local products and have become an international symbol of their birthplaces.
Plus, they give such a fun twist to the margarita!
As I was reading about the other variants, I remembered that I had actually written a margarita with limoncello recipe a few years ago.
It was clear that I needed to update it. So I went to the bar where my sister works and asked if she was up to make some experiments. As we tried some combinations, some curious customers came up to see what we were doing and give their advice. Needless to say, we all ended up doing a tasting together.
We tried three different cocktail recipes. In this post, I’ll describe them all, and add the recipe card for my favorite one at the end of the post.
Here’s what we did.
Basic Italian margarita
Our first attempt was made with:
- 1 + 1/2 oz blanco tequila: sometimes known as “plata” or silver tequila, this type of tequila is usually bottled without aging;
- 1 oz amaretto, limoncello, or orange liqueur: pick your favorite;
- 1/3 oz lemon juice + 1/3 oz lime juice: to add some more citrus notes;
- Ice;
- salt;
- lemon or orange slices: for garnishing.
In order to make it, you’ll also need:
- a Boston or cobbler shaker;
- a strainer to filter the drink;
This version doesn’t have enough volume to fill a normal Margarita glass, so feel free to use anything else.
Instructions
This cocktail recipe has just 3 steps:
- Place the salt on a small plate. Then, rim the edge of the glass with a lemon wedge, and dip it in the salt to form the typical Margarita garnish.
- After that, take a cocktail shaker and add the ice, tequila, limoncello, lemon juice, and lime juice.
- Shake it all, then strain it into the glass and garnish with an orange or lemon slice.
This drink is good for when you want to make a simple cocktail with just a few ingredients. I liked it, but there was room for improvement. So, we tried a different version.
Long Italian Limoncello Margarita
This recipe is similar to the previous one, but with a couple more ingredients. It is fragrant and refreshing.
It can be served over margarita glasses, of course, but few people have them at home. So feel free to use a plain wine glass or anything with a long stem. If you don’t have or like them, lowball glasses are another simple and good-looking solution.
The ingredients are:
- 1 + 1/2 oz blanco or reposado tequila: reposado is a type of tequila that has aged at least 2 months and up to a year in barrels of steel or oak wood. It is less bright than tequila blanco, but is usually appreciated for its ability to hold and showcase the subtle aromas of the barrel wood. For this attempt, we used a Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado Gold.
- 1 oz limoncello: as for the recipe above, you can also use amaretto or orange liqueur.
- 1/3 oz lemon juice + 1/3 oz lime juice
- 4 oz soda water
- 2 drops of Angostura: Angostura is a Venezuelan bitter made from the infusion of 6 different aromatic herb plants. Many mixologists use it to enhance the aroma of their cocktails by adding 2 or 3 drops. For this, it is sold both in bottles and in small containers equipped with droppers.
- Ice;
- salt and lemon zest: this time, you’ll use both to garnish the rim of the glass;
- lemon or orange slices.
Instructions
As for the recipe above, start preparing the margarita salt mix. This time, you will make it with salt and finely grated lemon zest.
Then, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and add all the other ingredients except the lemon/orange slices. Shake well, then filter into the cocktail glass. Garnish with the fruit slices and serve.
This drink is really refreshing. If I had known it before, I would have had it a lot of times this past summer.
The Olive Garden version
Last but not least, we had to try the Olive Garden Italian Margarita. I looked up the recipe online and found a few different versions. The most recurring one was made with:
- 3 oz fresh orange juice;
- 1 oz amaretto;
- 1 + 1/2 tequila: some recipes go up to 2 oz, but we didn’t want to exaggerate;
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice;
- orange or lime slices to taste.
- margarita salt: this time, we mixed salt with grated lime zest.
The method is the same one we used for the recipes above:
- distribute the margarita salt on a plate. Pass a lemon wedge on the rim of a glass, then pass it through the salt.
- Mix the liquids in a cocktail shaker, shake well, and filter into a the glass.
- garnish with orange or lime slices.
The fresh citrus juices make this drink so good! However, I didn’t quite like the addition of amaretto. I’ll tell you more in the conclusion. But before that, I think it’s worth spending a few words on two details that can help you make all these delicious drinks at home.
What’s the best tequila?
As you saw above, the main choice when it comes to margaritas is between blanco and reposado tequila.
Blanco/silver tequila is not aged and is considered by some to be the most undiluted expression of agave. Reposado tequila, on the other hand, may add some aromatic notes obtained from the barrels in which it is aged.
I have seen some people online ask about using añejo tequila to make margaritas, but I do not recommend it.
Añejo tequila ages one to three years in wooden barrels. This gives it amber hues and a complex bouquet of flavors that make it more suitable as a solo drink, or together with whiskey.
For this cocktail, I recommend a blanco tequila. Its brightness will enhance the flavors of all the other ingredients.
How long should you shake a cocktail?
Although it may seem like a minor detail, it is important to know how to shake a cocktail well.
If there is ice in the shaker and you shake it too long, you risk watering down your drink. If, on the other hand, there are eggs and you don’t shake them enough, you won’t get the desired consistency. Also, shaking the wrong way can be tiring.
Cocktails with citrus or those that simply need to be chilled should be shaken for about 10 to 15 seconds. This is to tone down the sharp acid of citrus and create air bubbles that will dampen the alcoholic burn of the drink.
But if there are eggs, dairy, or similar ingredients, the time goes up to at least 30 seconds. This is because in that case shaking is used to give them the right consistency. Think of when you whip cream in a mixer. It has to be shaken vigorously, and it certainly does not take only a few seconds to become stiff.
It is also important to hold the shaker horizontally. This way, you will need less effort to create air bubbles and beat eggs/dairy properly. If you are interested in learning more, I found a guide on the best cocktail-shaking techniques.
Which recipe was the most delicious?
To recap, now you know:
- what is the difference between an Italian margarita and regular margarita;
- what kind of vodka to use for both;
- how to shake a cocktail.
And you also have three recipes to try! Testing them was a lot of fun, and after evaluating them all, here’s what I think.
I feel the first recipe is best used with half the amounts of the ingredients to make shots or small drinks. It was good, but I expect more from a cocktail.
I have to say, at first I was sure that the second recipe would be the best. After all, it’s no secret that limoncello is my favorite Italian liqueur. But the addition of orange juice and lime in the Olive Garden Italian Margarita is also very intriguing.
Anyway, I did not really like the way the amaretto blended with the other flavors. I think it would be better used alone or for other drinks, like amaretto sour or French connection. So, in the recipe card below, I propose a hybrid of the two recipes that I hope you will like. Let me know what you think of it.
Italian Margarita FAQs
What is an Italian Margarita?
An Italian Margarita is a cocktail that blends the traditional ingredients of a margarita with Italian liqueurs like Amaretto or Limoncello.
What kind of tequila is best for an Italian Margarita?
While the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, a silver or blanco tequila is often recommended for its clear, bright flavor.
Can I use other Italian liqueurs besides Amaretto or Limoncello?
Absolutely! You can experiment with other Italian liqueurs such as Aperol, Campari, or even a cream liqueur like Baileys Almande. Each will bring a different flavor profile to your Italian Margarita.
What food does an Italian Margarita pair well with?
Italian Margaritas pair well with a variety of dishes, particularly spicy foods, Italian cuisine, and even a simple cheese and charcuterie board.
When is the best time to serve an Italian Margarita?
Italian Margaritas are versatile and can be served at a variety of social gatherings, from formal dinner parties to casual barbecues. They’re particularly refreshing during the summer months.
Can I adjust the ratios of the ingredients in the recipe?
Yes, feel free to adjust the ratios to suit your taste, whether you prefer a stronger tequila flavor, a sweeter cocktail, or a tangier drink.
How do I serve an Italian Margarita?
Traditionally, an Italian Margarita is served in a salt-rimmed glass. You can garnish it with a slice of lime or orange for an extra touch.
What’s the key to a great Italian Margarita?
The key to a great Italian Margarita is balance. While it’s important to tailor your cocktail to your taste, try to maintain harmony between the sweet, sour, and strong components of your drink.
Is Margarita an alcoholic drink?
Yes, a Margarita is an alcoholic cocktail. The traditional margarita is a cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice often served with salt on the rim of the glass. Variations of the Margarita like the Italian Margarita replace the orange liqueur with an Italian one, such as Amaretto or Limoncello. However, if desired, there are non-alcoholic versions of the Margarita, often called “Virgin Margaritas,” which use similar flavors but omit the alcohol.
Tips and Variations
Experimenting with different Italian liqueurs and adjusting the ratios of the ingredients are two ways to tailor your Italian Margarita to your taste and make it your own.
Italian Liqueurs: While Amaretto, with its sweet, slightly bitter almond flavor, is a common choice for Italian Margaritas, you can also explore other Italian liqueurs to add different flavor profiles to your cocktail. Limoncello, a bright, lemony liqueur, brings a fresh citrus twist that pairs beautifully with the lime juice. Alternatively, an orange liqueur like Aperol or Campari can introduce a complex, bittersweet note. If you prefer a creamier drink, you might even try adding a dash of an Italian cream liqueur like Baileys Almande, which is almond flavored, for a dessert-like cocktail.
Adjusting Ratios: The classic Italian Margarita recipe calls for equal parts of tequila, Amaretto or Limoncello, lime juice, and orange juice. However, feel free to play around with these proportions to suit your preferences. If you prefer a stronger tequila flavor, you might increase the amount of tequila. If you like your cocktails on the sweeter side, consider adding a bit more of the Italian liqueur or the orange juice. Conversely, if you enjoy tangier drinks, a bit more lime juice might be to your liking. Just remember, the key to a great cocktail is balance, so try to maintain a harmony between the sweet, sour, and strong components of your drink.
Remember, the beauty of cocktail-making lies in the freedom to experiment and adjust based on personal taste. Don’t be afraid to try different variations until you find your perfect Italian Margarita.
P.s: if you want to try other drinks, why don’t you go check my tiramisu martini recipes? 😉
Our Italian Margarita Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
1 + 1/2 oz Jose Cuervo Especial Silver tequila:
1 oz limoncello
1 fresh lime juice
3 oz orange juice
Ice;
salt and lemon zest
a fresh lime wedge.
Tools used:
a Boston or cobbler shaker
a strainer
a Margarita glass (or anything with a long stem)
Instructions
- Mix the salt and lemon zest on a small plate.
- Rim the edge of the glass with a lemon wedge, then coat it with the salt mix.
- Take a cocktail shaker, fill it with ice, and add all the liquids.
- Shake for 12 to 15 seconds, holding the shaker horizontally.
- Strain into the Margarita glasses, and garnish with a lime wedge.
- Enjoy
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Cocktails
