Olive Garden Italian Margarita Recipe

Olive Garden’s Italian Margarita adds a delicious twist to the classic cocktail by incorporating sweet amaretto liqueur. This restaurant copycat recipe combines premium tequila, triple sec, fresh citrus, and Italian amaretto for a sweeter, more complex margarita experience. Served with a sugar rim instead of salt and garnished with fresh citrus, this cocktail brings authentic Olive Garden flavors to your home bar.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What makes the Italian version of the margarita so unique? 

The magic of Olive Garden’s Italian Margarita lies in the balance between classic margarita ingredients and sweet Italian amaretto. The almond-flavored liqueur transforms the classic tart margarita into a sweeter, more complex cocktail that appeals to those who prefer less acidic drinks. The sugar rim instead of salt enhances the sweetness, while the fresh citrus maintains the bright, refreshing character.

What’s In the Olive Garden Italian Margarita Recipe?

Jose Cuervo Especial Silver

Tequila is made from the blue agave plant and is one of the world’s most popular liquors. Using the best quality tequila is always lovely at the heart and soul of a good Margarita. There are five different categories. Blanco tequila is the purest form because it doesn’t undergo any aging in oak barrels and, therefore, has the mildest taste. Most bartenders prefer to use this tequila category in the Margarita they make. A blanco tequila is the best tequila for this recipe because of its lighter flavor.

Jose Cuervo Especial Silver, often referred to as Jose Cuervo Blanco tequila, is a popular choice due to its moderate price and widespread availability. But you may use any Blanco tequila at home without affecting the cocktail’s taste.

Triple Sec

Triple Sec is an orange-flavored liqueur originally from France. The bright citrus flavor comes from the peels of sweet and bitter oranges and other ‘secret’ ingredients blended with neutral spirits. The Combier brand was the first Triple Sec, but many brands exist. Although formerly drank straight as an after-dinner digestif, Triple Sec today is more commonly added to cocktails. The orange flavor makes for the perfect drink, giving an excellent balance of citrus flavors. 

If you don’t have a bottle labeled “Tripe Sec” on hand, you can substitute another citrusy spirit like Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, 

Amaretto

The Italian influence for this Margarita comes from Amaretto, an almond-flavored liqueur from Italy. Many mixed drinks feature Amaretto, but serving this Italian liqueur over ice is a common practice. Many brands produce a decent Amaretto, but Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur is probably the most famous in the US. Olive Garden serves its Italian Margaritas with a shot of Amaretto on the side to allow the diner to add it. When you make the cocktail at home, you might as well mix it with the rest of the drink.

Fans of Amaretto drinks may want to try a few, such as Amaretto di Sassetta or Lazzaroni Amaretto, to find their favorite.

Sour Mix

A better name for a sour mix might be a “sweet and sour” mix. It is simple syrup with lemon and lime juice to balance the sweetness. You can buy the sour mix in almost any supermarket, but it is simple to make at home and tastes much better than anything on the shelf. The fresh citrus juices add brightness to this cocktail, making it perfect for an Olive Garden margarita. 

How to make the homemade sour mix:

1. Combine one cup of water with white sugar in a small saucepan.
2. Slowly bring to a boil while stirring.
3. Once the sugar mixture comes to a boil, remove the pan from the heat and add a half cup of fresh lemon juice and an equal amount of fresh lime juice.
4. Stir and let it cool.
5. Store it in a container with a lid in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

Here’s a full list of what you need to make this copycat recipe:

• Jose Cuervo Blanco or white tequila – Provides the clean, pure agave flavor that forms the foundation of any great margarita
• Triple sec orange liqueur – Adds bright citrus notes and balances the tequila with sweet orange flavor
• Orange juice – Contributes fresh, natural sweetness and enhances the orange flavors from triple sec
• Sour mix – Provides the essential sweet and tart balance with lemon and lime juice
• Amaretto almond liqueur – The sweet Italian liqueur that transforms this into an Italian margarita with sweet almond flavor
• White granulated sugar – Creates the sweet rim that replaces traditional salt for enhanced sweetness
• Orange – Fresh citrus garnish that adds visual appeal and aromatic oils
• Lime – Essential for rimming the glass and provides fresh citrus garnish

How to Make Olive Garden Italian Margarita

Here are the simple steps for making this drink:

1. Cut a lime wedge and rim the margarita glass with the lime.
2. To rim the glass, dip the wet rim of the glass into a dish filled with sugar. 
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with tequila, triple sec, orange juice, and sour mix.

4. Shake until blended.
5. Pour into the sugar-rimmed margarita glass filled with ice cubes.

6. Garnish with fresh orange and lime slices or an orange wedge.
7. Serve the margarita with the amaretto in a cordial glass.
8. Pour the amaretto into the margarita and enjoy!

Tips for Making an Olive Garden Italian Margarita

• You got to move it, move it. Give your cocktail shaker more than a few shakes. Shaking helps to aerate the drink and bring out the flavors thoroughly. If you are ever confused about whether to shake or stir a cocktail, the rule is that anything with fresh ingredients like fruit juice or cream must go into the shaker.
• Choose your shaker wisely. There are two types of shakers: Boston and Cobbler. A Boston shaker is better at aerating but takes longer to chill. The extra time in the shaker may cause drinks to become more watery. On the other hand, a Cobbler shaker chills cocktails quicker but doesn’t incorporate as much air into the cocktails. Most bartenders prefer using a Boston shaker for making Margaritas.

Check out more delicious cocktails on YouTube!

Love Olive Garden? Try these copycat recipes!

• Berry Sangria
• Best Olive Garden Soup
• Grilled Chicken Margherita
• Olive Garden Bread
• Seafood Alfredo
• Steak Alfredo Recipe
• Toscana Soup Recipe

Favorite Cocktail Recipes

• Beer Margarita Recipe
• Dole Whip Float
• Godfather Drink
• Mudslide Drink Recipe
• Presidente Margarita Recipe
• Washington Apple Cocktail

Check out more of my copycat Olive Garden recipes and the best cocktail recipes here on CopyKat!