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Why I Love This Margarita
I’ll never forget the first time I had an Italian margarita, as I instantly fell in love with it. It was a few summers ago when dining out at a local Iowa restaurant. The drink special on the sign out front was for an Italian Margarita, which I had never tried before. There was no question that it was the drink I was going to order, and one sip in, I fell in love.
Ever since, I’ve been making this recipe at home so I can enjoy the same refreshing flavor anytime I want.
What makes this drink different is how it layers flavors: It has the zesty punch of a classic margarita, but with a smooth, slightly bitter taste from the Aperol, and a nut-like twist from the amaretto. It’s like you added a little bit of European flair to a summertime favorite.
Here are some reasons to love this cocktail:
- Bright and citrusy with layers of flavor.
- Aperol adds a subtle bitterness that keeps it refreshing.
- Disaronno creates an almond-esque flavor that pairs well with the tartness of the lime.
- Easy to batch ahead for guests. Seriously, multiply the recipe and keep it in the fridge so it’s chilled and ready to go.
Italian Margarita Ingredients
Just 6 simple ingredients come together to make this delicious cocktail!
- Tequila blanco – The base of the margarita with a clean, crisp finish.
- Aperol – Adds a slightly bitter citrus flavor and a beautiful color.
- Disaronno – Has an amaretto flavor, bringing in some sweet almond notes.
- Lime juice and orange juice – Bright, tart, and fresh, these two balance out the sweetness.
- Agave syrup – Just enough sweetness to make the drink irresistible.
The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make an Italian Margarita
Prepare the cocktail – Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, Aperol, Disaronno, lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup. Shake for about 30 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
Serve – Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange slice or twist.
Follow These Tips
Serving & Storage
To serve – Shake the ingredients with fresh ice and garnish with an orange slice. Because of the sweet flavor, it’s a perfect drink to serve with salty snacks like spiced nuts or a chipotle shrimp appetizer.
To store – This margarita is best served fresh, as the ice will dilute the ratio as it sits. If desired, you can mix up a batch and keep it chilled (without ice) in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, simply pour it over fresh ice and garnish.
More Cocktail Recipes
- Siesta cocktail – flavored with grapefruit and tequila
- Classic margarita – everyone’s favorite summertime drink
- Aperol spritz – another Italian classic drink
- Hugo spritz – like an Aperol spritz, but with elderflower liqueur
- Spicy margarita – a spiced version of a margarita
- Aperol margarita – using a combo of tequila and Aperol for a fun twist
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Italian Margarita
Ingredients
- 3 oz tequila blanco
- 1 oz Aperol
- ½ oz Disaronno
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- ½ oz agave syrup
- ice
- orange slices to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, Aperol, Disaronno, lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup. Shake for about 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.3 oz tequila blanco, 1 oz Aperol, ½ oz Disaronno, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 1 oz fresh orange juice, ½ oz agave syrup, ice
- Serve: If you'd like a salted rim, rub the edge of a glass with a lime wedge (or a bit of water), then dip it into flaky salt. Fill two glasses with ice, strain the drink into each one, and garnish with an orange slice.orange slices
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Styling: Addelyn Evans | Photography: Dera Burreson
