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It's hard to get tired of the margarita, but it's nice to try something a little different. The next time you want a refreshing cocktail, reach for the amaretto and Triple sec. Instead of having a mainly lime flavor, the Italian margarita uses almond and orange flavors with tequila and sweet-and-sour mix. Serve your drink on the rocks with a citrus wedge and enjoy!
Ingredients
Classic Italian Margarita
- 1 1⁄2 fl oz (44 ml) of tequila
- 1 1⁄2 fl oz (44 ml) of amaretto or almond liqueur
- 1 fl oz (30 ml) of Triple Sec or orange liqueur
- 4 fl oz (120 ml) of sweet-and-sour mix
- Ice
- Lime, lemon, or orange slice, for garnish
Makes 1 cocktail
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:Classic Italian Margarita
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1Chill a margarita glass and cocktail shaker for 15 minutes. If you want to serve the margarita in a frosted glass, stick the margarita glass in your freezer about 15 minutes before you mix up the drink. You should also put the cocktail shaker into the freezer so it keeps your ingredients cold when you shake it up.[1]
- If you're short on time, you can skip this step.
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2Remove the glass and dip the rim in salt or sugar if you like. When you're ready to make the Italian margarita, take the glass out of the freezer and run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Then, pour sugar or coarse salt onto a dish. Roll the moistened rim of the glass in the sugar or salt so it sticks.[2]
- Set the glass aside while you make your margarita.
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3Pour all of the ingredients into the chilled shaker. Take the cocktail shaker out of the freezer and remove the top. Measure 1 1⁄2 fl oz (44 ml) of tequila and add it to the shaker along with 1 1⁄2 fl oz (44 ml) of amaretto or almond liqueur. Then, pour in 1 fl oz (30 ml) of Triple Sec or orange liqueur and 4 fl oz (120 ml) of sweet-and-sour mix.[3]
- If you don't have a cocktail shaker, pour the ingredients into a measuring jug or pitcher.
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4Fill the shaker with ice and push the lid on. The ice is important for blending the flavors of the ingredients, chilling the liquid, and diluting the drink just a bit. Put enough ice cubes or crushed ice into the shaker to fill it to the top. Then, put the lid on so it's secure.[4]
- If you're using a measuring jug or pitcher, don't try to find something to cover the container since you'll stir the margarita instead.
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5Shake the margarita for 5 to 10 seconds. Hold the shaker and keep 1 hand on the lid. Vigorously shake it so the ice chills the liquid and combines the ingredients. You can stop shaking it once the outside of the cocktail shaker feels frosty.[5]
Tip: If you don't have a cocktail shaker, use a long bar spoon to stir the liquid for at least 5 seconds. Then, set a cocktail strainer over the jug or pitcher to catch the ice as you pour.
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6Pour the Italian margarita into the glass and garnish it with a citrus slice. If you like your margarita on the rocks, fill the glass with a few ice cubes. Then, slowly pour the margarita into the glass and stick a lemon, lime, or orange slice on the rim.[6]
- If you don't want ice, just pour the drink into your chilled glass.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:Variations
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1Use limoncello instead of amaretto and Triple Sec for more of a lemon flavor. Instead of using the almond and orange liqueurs, pour in 2 1⁄2 fl oz (74 ml) of limoncello. This sweet, lemon liqueur is originally from southern Italy, but you can find it in most liquor stores or make your own.[7]
- If you use limoncello in your margarita, garnish your cocktail with a lemon slice or twist.
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2Swap Campari for the amaretto or almond liqueur if you want a slightly bitter cocktail. If you don't like very sweet margaritas, leave out the amaretto and use Campari instead. Campari is another Italian liqueur that has a distinct bittersweet flavor.[8]
- If you don't have Campari or want a somewhat sweeter taste, use Aperol, an Italian apéritif.
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3Substitute fresh lime juice for the sweet-and-sour mix if you want a tangier flavor. Although sweet-and-sour mix has a sharp citrus flavor, it's also really sweet. To tone down the sweetness of your Italian margarita, use 4 fl oz (120 ml) of freshly-squeezed lime juice instead of the mix.[9]
Tip: If you find that using all lime juice makes your cocktail too sour, play around with using a little fresh lime juice and sweet-and-sour mix. Just keep the total amount to 4 fl oz (120 ml).
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4Blend the Italian margarita to make a frozen, slushy cocktail. Margaritas on the rocks are classic, but a blended drink can feel more refreshing. Put all of your cocktail ingredients into a blender and push the lid on. Blend the mixture until the ice is combined and the drink is slushy but smooth.[10]
- If you want to make your blended Italian margarita thicker, keep blending in ice cubes until it's as thick as you like.
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Things You’ll Need
- Margarita glass
- Measuring cups
- Cocktail shaker
- Blender, optional
References
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/italian-margaritas-310562
- ↑ https://youtu.be/lNwNvq8Kxl8?t=41
- ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/italian-margarita-recipe/
- ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/italian-margarita-recipe/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/lNwNvq8Kxl8?t=103
- ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/italian-margarita-recipe/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/P7l6qIEVx1Y?t=60
- ↑ https://www.sipandfeast.com/italian-margarita-tequila-orange-campari-cocktail/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/ZRA84qWlDAM?t=230
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