Olive Garden Italian Margarita

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This Olive Garden Italian Margarita is the best copycat recipe for Olive Garden’s famous Amaretto Margarita. Made with 5 simple ingredients in just a few minutes, you can easily make this copycat recipe at home.

Olive Garden is not just known for its pasta recipes — they also have a collection of delicious drink recipes, such as their (non alcoholic) Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea. 

This Italian Margarita is a twist on a classic margarita as it is made with Amaretto. 

For some other creative margarita recipes that are easy to make at home, try this Blackberry Jalapeño Margarita, this Bourbon Margarita or this Lychee Margarita. 

If you are looking for more amaretto cocktails, try this Amaretto Martini, this Amaretto Hot Chocolate or this Amaretto Sunrise.

Jump to:

• What Is An Italian Margarita?
• Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Margarita
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make An Amaretto Margarita
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• 📖 Recipe

What Is An Italian Margarita?

An Italian Margarita is like a classic margarita, but it has the addition of Amaretto liqueur and a dash of orange juice. 

Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur that originates from Saronno, Italy (hence the name “Italian” Margarita). Amaretto has a characteristic amber color and almond flavor which gives this margarita a sweeter taste than a classic one.  

Italian Margaritas are hugely popular at the chain restaurant, Olive Garden, and chances are you have tried one there and want to make your own version at home!

Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Margarita

• Easy Copycat — This is such a simple copycat drink recipe to make at home. Even beginner home bartenders will have no trouble with this recipe. 
• It’s Sweet — The Amaretto gives this margarita a bit of a sweeter taste than a classic lime margarita, so if you enjoy sweeter cocktails, you will definitely like this one. 
• 5 Ingredients — All you need is Amaretto, tequila, lime, orange juice and simple syrup to make this drink!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Amaretto: There are different types of Amaretto, but probably the most popular and well known type is Disaronno. You can use whatever you have on hand or enjoy the taste of. 
• Tequila: All margaritas have to have tequila! Use your favorite brand of mid-shelf blanco tequila. Olive Garden uses Jose Cuervo tequila, but for a slightly higher quality taste, try Espolón. 
• Orange Juice: If you have the time, freshly squeezed orange juice will really elevate this drink. However, a store bought pulp free orange juice will work just as well. As a substitute, pineapple juice tastes delicious in this drink!
• Lime Juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best quality drink. 
• Simple Syrup: A dash of simple syrup makes this drink just a tad sweeter. You can use a store bought simple syrup or make your own by heating equal amounts of granulated sugar and water together on a pan until the sugar dissolves.

How To Make An Amaretto Margarita

Step 1: Run a wedge of lime around the edge of the margarita glass and dip the rim into sugar, pressing gently to make it stick.

Step 2: Add the orange juice, Amaretto, tequila, lime juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Step 3: Shake well and strain into the prepared margarita glass filled with ice.

Expert Tips

• Adjust the sweetness. For a slightly less sweet margarita, you can leave out the simple syrup. For a sweeter drink, add in an extra ½ oz of Amaretto. 
• Make an orange sugar rim. Olive Garden rims their margarita glasses with an orange sugar rim. While sugar works perfectly well, you can mix in a bit of orange zest to the sugar before rimming the glasses for a flavorful sugar rim. 
• Make a pitcher. These Italian Margaritas make a great pitcher to serve to a group of friends. Multiply the ingredients by 5 to 6 times and serve them in a large pitcher.

Recipe FAQs

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📖 Recipe