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Beverage • Mexican-Italian Fusion

The Best Italian Margarita Recipe

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.

5.0 from 161 votes
5 mins
Total Time
1
drink
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The Best Italian Margarita

How to Make the Best The Best Italian Margarita

This Italian Margarita is a delightful twist on the classic margarita, elevated with the addition of amaretto liqueur. Made famous by Olive Garden, this cocktail combines the crisp, citrusy notes of a traditional margarita with the sweet, almond-forward flavor of amaretto for a perfectly balanced drink that’s both refreshing and indulgent.

What makes this margarita so special is its simplicity—you need just a few quality ingredients and about five minutes to prepare it. The combination of freshly squeezed citrus juices with premium tequila and amaretto creates a sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to both margarita enthusiasts and those looking to try something slightly different.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply want to recreate your favorite Olive Garden cocktail at home, this recipe delivers café-quality results. The key is using fresh lime and orange juice—not bottled—along with quality tequila. Reposado tequila adds a subtle oak complexity that pairs beautifully with the amaretto, making this the perfect aperitif for warm summer evenings or festive gatherings.

The Best Italian Margarita

The Best Italian Margarita

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.

5.0 from 161 votes
CourseBeverage
CuisineMexican-Italian Fusion
Keyworditalian margarita, olive garden copycat margarita, olive garden italian margarita, olive garden margarita
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings1 drink
Calories235kcal
AuthorRare Ivy
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Ingredients

Italian Margarita

Instructions

Preparation

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Strain into serving glass. Garnish with an additional lime slice if desired. Enjoy!
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