Olive Garden Italian Margarita Copycat Recipe

This Olive Garden Italian Margarita recipe brings home one of the most popular cocktails on the restaurant’s menu, a citrusy tequila drink that gets its signature twist from a float of amaretto. It takes about 5 minutes to put together and tastes close enough to the real thing that you probably will not need to go back for the original.

The balance of sweet and tart is what makes this one worth making. Fresh citrus juice and orange liqueur do the heavy lifting, and the amaretto on top adds a faint almond note that comes through in every sip.

Why I Love This Recipe

The amaretto float is what sets this apart from a regular margarita. It does not mix in right away, so you get a slightly different flavor as you drink down the glass.

It is also a genuinely low-effort cocktail. Everything goes over ice, and you do not need a cocktail shaker if you do not have one, a glass and a long spoon work just fine.

This is the version I keep coming back to when I want something a bit more interesting than a standard margarita without any extra fuss.

Recipe Ingredients

• 2 oz silver tequila – Blanco or silver tequila works best here; the clean flavor does not compete with the citrus
• 1 oz triple sec – Adds orange sweetness; Cointreau works if you want something slightly drier
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice – Fresh makes a real difference; bottled tends to taste flat
• 1 oz fresh orange juice – Adds brightness and a little sweetness to balance the lemon
• 0.5 oz simple syrup – Adjust up or down depending on how sweet your citrus is
• 0.5 oz amaretto – This is the Italian twist; it floats on top and gives the drink its signature flavor
• Kosher salt – For the rim; coarser grains stick better than table salt
• Ice – Use plenty; a full glass keeps the drink cold and properly diluted
• 1 lemon or orange wedge – For the garnish; either works and looks good on the glass

Variations / Substitutions

• Swap the tequila – Use mezcal for a smokier version that still plays well with the amaretto.
• Swap the triple sec – Blue Curaçao gives the drink a pale blue-green tint and is slightly sweeter, which works if you like a less tart margarita.
• Swap the lemon juice – Lime juice is closer to a classic margarita flavor; it is a bit sharper and less floral.
• Skip the simple syrup – Leave it out if your orange juice is already quite sweet, or replace it with agave nectar for a slightly more complex sweetness.
• Dairy-free and vegan – Everything in this recipe is already plant-based, so no changes needed.
• Make it a mocktail – Replace the tequila with sparkling water or a non-alcoholic spirit and the amaretto with a few drops of almond extract stirred into extra orange juice; it will not be identical but the flavor profile stays similar.

If you enjoy easy cocktail recipes, you might also like a Copycat Olive Garden Peach Bellini Recipe.

How To Make Italian Margarita

Step 1: Salt the Rim and Fill the Glass

Run a lemon or orange wedge around the rim of a rocks glass, then press the rim into a shallow plate of kosher salt and twist gently so the salt sticks evenly. Fill the glass with ice all the way to the top.

This takes about 30 seconds, but it is worth doing first while your hands are dry. A thin, even salt coating is easier to achieve before anything is wet.

Step 2: Shake the Citrus and Spirits

Add the 2 oz silver tequila, 1 oz triple sec, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz fresh orange juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Seal it and shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.

You are looking for the shaker to frost over slightly on the outside. That tells you the drink has chilled down properly and picked up enough dilution from the melting ice.

Step 3: Strain Into the Glass

Pour the shaken mixture through the shaker’s strainer over the ice in your prepared rocks glass. Fill it close to the top, leaving about half an inch of space.

That small gap is important. You need a little room for the amaretto float in the next step, so do not pack in extra ice at the last second.

Step 4: Float the Amaretto and Garnish

Pour the 0.5 oz amaretto slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the drink. The amaretto is slightly denser than the citrus mixture, so it will settle on top in a visible amber layer. Slide the lemon or orange wedge onto the rim of the glass and serve right away.

Recipe Tips

• Use a jigger. Eyeballing cocktail measurements is where most homemade drinks go wrong. A 1 oz / 2 oz jigger costs almost nothing and makes a big difference in balance.
• Squeeze the citrus right before you shake. Lemon and orange juice oxidize quickly, and juice that sat in the fridge for a day will taste duller and slightly bitter.
• Chill your glass first if you have time. Pop the rocks glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before you start. A cold glass keeps the drink from warming up as fast.
• Go easy with the salt. Dip and twist just once. Pressing too hard or doing multiple passes gives you a thick crust that overwhelms the first few sips.

Cook times by glass size:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without a cocktail shaker?

Yes. Combine all the ingredients except the amaretto in a tall glass with ice, stir well for about 20 seconds, then strain into your salted glass and add the float.

Can I batch this ahead of time for a party?

You can pre-mix the tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, orange juice, and simple syrup up to 4 hours ahead and keep it in a pitcher in the fridge. Add ice and pour the amaretto float per glass just before serving so the layers stay visible.

Is there a non-alcoholic amaretto I can use for the float?

Yes, Lazzaroni and Monin both make almond-flavored syrups that work as a substitute. Use the same 0.5 oz measurement and pour it over the back of a spoon the same way.

Does it matter what type of tequila I use?

Reposado will work but adds a subtle oak note that can compete with the amaretto. Blanco keeps things cleaner and brighter, which is why it is the better fit here.

Olive Garden Italian Margarita Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz fresh orange juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 0.5 oz amaretto
• Kosher salt, for the rim
• Ice
• 1 lemon or orange wedge, for garnish

Method

 

1. Run a citrus wedge around the rim of a rocks glass, press the rim into a plate of kosher salt, and fill the glass with ice.
2. Combine the 2 oz silver tequila, 1 oz triple sec, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz fresh orange juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 15 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture over the ice in the prepared rocks glass, leaving about half an inch of space at the top.
4. Pour the 0.5 oz amaretto slowly over the back of a spoon to create a float on top, then garnish with a citrus wedge on the rim and serve immediately.

Notes

Fresh citrus juice is the single thing that affects the flavor most, so it is worth squeezing it right before you shake. If you are making a round for more than 2 people, pre-mix the base without ice in a pitcher and shake individual portions to order so nothing gets watery sitting around.