Name: Italian Amaretto Margarita
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounce amaretto; 1 ounce lime juice; 2 ounces silver tequila; 3 ounces orange juice

Jump to Recipe

You may think you don’t need yet another twist on the ever-popular Margarita. But you do need the Italian Amaretto Margarita, fusing the traditional margarita with the rich, almond-flavored liqueur, amaretto.

Tasting Notes

The first sip of this drink delivers a balance of sweet and tart flavors, with the silver tequila providing a smooth, agave-forward backbone. Then the amaretto’s sweet nutty almond notes emerge, adding richness and complexity to the cocktail.

The orange juice lends a subtle sweetness that rounds out the flavors. And the finish is clean and refreshing, with a hint of lime zest that lingers pleasantly on the tongue.

It’s all a combination of citrus and rich almond notes, which is heavenly.

Key Ingredients

Amaretto

This Italian liqueur is made from a blend of almonds and apricot pits, and it gives cocktails a distinctive almond-like taste. Its rich, nutty flavor profile is the perfect complement to the tart lime juice and the agave notes of the tequila.

Silver Tequila

A high-quality silver (or blanco) tequila adds clean agave notes to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients and adds a touch of complexity.

Lime Juice

Freshly squeezed lime juice yields tart and acidic notes that help to cut through the sweetness of the other ingredients. It also helps to brighten the overall flavor of the cocktail and make it more refreshing.

Orange Juice

The subtle sweetness of the orange juice helps to smooth out the sharper flavors of the lime and tequila.

Serving Suggestions

The Italian Amaretto Margarita is best served chilled, over ice, in a classic rocks glass or a margarita glass. Rimming the glass with a mixture of amaretto and sugar adds a little bit of crunchy texture along with some sweetness in every sip.

When it comes to garnishes, a simple orange wheel or a lime wedge are both excellent choices. Use one or the other or both.

Unlike most margaritas, which are more definitely summer cocktails, this is one margarita you can enjoy year round. The amaretto adds a little bit of the heavier flavors of fall and winter to the mix.

Food Pairings

Try serving this drink along with a caprese salad with mozzarella, fresh basil and tomatoes. It’s also great with chicken parmesan and a dessert of tiramisu.