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What is an Italian Margarita? Margarita is a sophisticated yet simple drink famous all across the world. They are preferred by people who like sweeter cocktails. One of the most popular margaritas is the Italian margarita.
It is smooth and sweet and has its new spin on the original margarita recipe. Once you finish reading this article, so will have a decent knowledge of Italian margaritas.
1. What is an Italian Margarita?
Every drink enthusiast might be wondering what is so special about Italian Margarita that everyone is talking about it. An Italian Margarita is a spin on the classic margarita cocktail. A standard margarita is made with just three ingredients. The base spirit comes from tequila, flavours are enhanced by lime, and in the end triple sec or Cointreau.
The beauty of this amazing and refreshing cocktail lies in its simplicity. It is sweet but with a hint of tanginess. The soul of this drink is in tequila. However, the Italian margarita is twisted as it does not use triple sec or orange liqueur, instead, it uses Amaretto or almond liqueur which adds an Italian flair to it.
2. History of Margaritas:
Finding the truth behind the creation of this wonderful cocktail is a challenge on its own. There are many stories behind its origin with no confirmation as such. However, some stories prevail more than others. One theory suggests that a Mexican restaurant owner Carlos Herrera made this drink for the first time. Others say that it originated in Tijuana. It was created for the actress Rita Hayworth. But some people claim that margaritas cannot be created by a Mexican because at that time cocktail was not much in trend. A final theory that is supposed to be true is that it was created by Madden, an Irish man in 1936.
The story of him making the drink first time is quite interesting. One day, while making Daisy for a customer, which uses brandy as a base spirit, he picked the wrong bottle and added tequila to it. He lucked out because the customer loved the drink. That’s when he started to make this cocktail.
3. Italian Margarita Recipe
The recipe for the Italian margarita is simple and interesting. Here are the main ingredients needed to make this sweet, bitter, and sour cocktail.
3.1. Ingredients:
3.1.1. Tequila:
There are many different types of tequila each having a different flavour, colour, and ageing time. The base spirit in a traditional margarita is tequila. Finding a perfect tequila for margaritas is a hefty task on its own. The main types of tequilas used in the making of margaritas are Blanco tequila also known as silver tequila, Añejo tequila, and Reposado tequila. But the one used mostly used to make Italian margaritas is Reposado.
Reposado has unique agave flavours which instantly hit the back of your tongue. There are some little hints of the texture of honey and toasted nuts which will go well with the nutty amaretto flavour. The ageing time of this is between 60 days to 2 months which gives it time to enhance the flavour of vanilla and nuts. If the ageing time increases to a year or more then it becomes añejo tequila.
3.1.2. Lime Juice:
Lime juice or lemon juice is really important to make margaritas or any other cocktail. It gives a tangy flavour to the drink and balances out the sweetness. It is highly recommended to use fresh lime juice. You can also squeeze lemons and use the juice at your home as it will be much fresh and better than the packaged lime juice which is very sweet.
3.1.3. Fresh Orange Juice:
Orange juice provides the necessary body to the margarita. Use fresh squeezed orange juice if possible, but bottled orange juice will also work. The balanced and refreshing flavours in the margarita come from this sour mix.
3.1.4. Amaretto:
Amaretto is a very famous liqueur made from almonds. The flavours of this liqueur primarily come from almonds and apricot kernels. Amaretto is nowadays famously used to make all kinds of cocktails and drinks across the world due to its rich nutty texture. The name amaretto originated from the Italian word “amaro” which translates to “bitter”.
Although many people think that amaretto is made up of almonds, most of the amaretto is made from apricots. Some use only either one of them while others prefer the combination of both of them. DiSarronno is the best-selling brand for Amaretto. There is no need to add simple syrup as it gives the drink the required sweetness.
3.2. Steps to make an Italian Margarita:
It is very easy to make Italian margaritas at home. Most of these ingredients are easily available in supermarkets. You can host a great party by serving this outstanding cocktail. The amazing concoction of these four ingredients can create a soothing drink.
- Cut a thin slice of lemon wedge and run it around the rim of a glass. Keep a plate of salt handy and then turn the glass upside and swirl it to cover the rim with salt. This is a simple way. To rim the glass more professionally you would want one side to be more coated. For this turn the glass upside down and dip it at an angle in the moist lime solution. Then swirl it around the salt. The side with more moisture will have more salt coating.
- Now, take a cocktail shaker with ice and add our ingredients. Start with tequila, then add a sour mix containing lime and orange juice water and sugar, and in the end the Italian liqueur, amaretto.
- Shake all the ingredients properly for some seconds.
- In the final step, add the drink to our rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wedge. See, how simple it is to make such a marvellous cocktail.
4. Olive Garden Italian Margarita:
Olive Garden is a chain of restaurants famous for making American-Italian cuisine. Their Italian margarita is a customer’s favourite and is highly recommended. They add a fun twist to the classic drink by giving an additional shot of amaretto alongside.
4.1. Ingredients:
Olive Garden’s recipe for an Italian Margarita shows a hint of creativity. As they provide a shot of amaretto with the drink, it increases the appeal of the drink. The sweet flavour of amaretto goes well alongside the cocktail. Here are the ingredients of the Olive Garden Italian cocktail:
4.1.1. Jose Cuervo Tequila:
In the classic Italian margarita, mostly reposado tequila is used, but this tequila is a perfect blend of blanco and reposado tequila. This is a unique and appealing combination and has a very smooth texture. If you are looking to make this cocktail at home then go for this brand of tequila which is easily available in supermarkets. Most bartenders use this tequila to make cocktails and margaritas.
4.1.2. Triple Sec:
Orange-flavoured liqueur commonly called triple sec is another main component of this cocktail. It is made with dried orange peels. One of the most known brands for triple sec is Cointreau. Another famous one is Grand Marnier. The sweet and tangy flavour of citrus adds a unique taste to this margarita. The odd notes of other parts of the drink are easily managed by triple sec.
4.1.3. Amaretto:
Amaretto gives a unique flavour to this delicious drink. It is sweet and rich in nutty constituents. Olive Garden gives an additional shot on the side to the customers so that they can mix it according to personal taste. Many people prefer to drink shots and have a sip of sweetness altogether. If you are making this at home you can add amaretto in the drink as well.
4.1.4. Sour mix:
The Sour mix gives the taste that this drink lacks, sweetness and sourness. It is very simple to make at home. Take some water and add sugar to it. Then, boil the water so that the sugar reaches a dense consistency. After it becomes a dense sugar syrup, keep it aside and let it cool. Then add orange and lime juice. Use fresh citrus juices. This is it. You can find sour mix in the market but if freshly made at home tastes much better.
4.2. Steps to make the Olive Garden Margarita:
- Firstly, rim the glass with lemon and then with salt or sugar.
- Take a cocktail shaker and add tequila, sour mix and orange juice in it.
- Keep shaking until all the ingredients blend properly.
- Add some ice cubes to your glass with a salted rim and pour the mix into it.
- Then add some amaretto on the top or keep it aside in a shot glass.
- Garnish your glass with orange and lemon wedges.
5. Favourite Food with Italian Margarita:
5.1. Chicken Sticks
The crunchiness and saltiness of chicken sticks taste of an Italian margarita to the next level. The sweetness of amaretto needs balancing which comes from chicken. You can also try chicken nuggets with it.
5.2. Quesadillas
Quesadillas are Mexican heaven. They are mouthwatering and come with a variety of fillings. You should try this amazing combination. The fulfilling flavours of tequila strongly compete with tequila.
5.3. Cheese Balls
Who doesn’t like cheese? It elevates every food item. The creamy and heavy texture of cheese balances the strong sour and sweet flavour of the cocktail. It is a lightweight and simple item you must make if you are hosting a party.
5.4. Nachos
The crunchiness of nachos pairs beautifully with margaritas. You can add a new twist by putting some cheese and corn in nachos and enjoy the most amazing snack with margaritas. If your tooth gets sweet or sour with a margarita then, this will soothe your palate.
5.5. Pizza:
If you want something heavy to eat with a cocktail, then pizza is your answer and an Italian one at that. You would undoubtedly enjoy this pairing as pizza has everything that can go well with the drink. It has vegetables or chicken, cheese, and a crunchy crust.
6. More Margarita Recipes:
6.1. Pitcher Margarita:
The margarita pitcher recipe is simple and attracts a lot of people. This cocktail is very versatile. You can modify and add a little twist of your own. The base spirit here is Blanco tequila. Other ingredients are orange liqueur or Cointreau, lime or lemon juice, and ice. You don’t even need a cocktail shaker to make it.
6.2. Frozen Strawberry Margarita:
Get a fruity taste in the classic cocktails by adding some tasty strawberries. It is so refreshing and best to chill in the summer. Add some frozen strawberries and crushed ice along with other classic ingredients. Enjoy a fruitful sip of this cocktail.
6.3. Frozen Watermelon Margarita:
Another fruity drink to pump up your summers. Freeze some watermelon pieces to get that cold and juicy flavour. Then take frozen watermelon, add ice and other ingredients and blend them to get the best summer drink ever.
6.4. Prickly Pear Margarita:
This is a colourful and enriching margarita. Prickly pear is a cactus fruit which adds a soft and sweet flavour alongside a tartiness. You will get very fond of drinking this cocktail every time you visit a bar. The complex flavour of prickly pear matches the robustness of tequila. You can serve this with crunchy tacos and have a blissful meal.
6.5. Pomegranate Margarita:
Pomegranate might not be your favourite fruit to eat but it sure will be your favourite cocktail. The utter combination of lime, tequila, and pomegranate gives a heavenly taste. Pomegranate has a very sweet flavour which makes this perfect to sip at a pool party or a beach. When you order this cocktail you will see a beautiful pink colour that looks so appealing. If you are making it at home, use silver tequila to make this.
Italian Margarita has become the first choice of customers. The amaretto flavour is loved by many people because it adds sweetness to the mix of salt and sour. You can enjoy this drink alone while sitting peacefully on a beach or you can host a party with it. Everyone will undoubtedly enjoy sipping this blissful cocktail. Serve some crunchy and spicy snacks with it and you are a favourite host to everybody.
Check out: What is Thе Bеst Tеquila For Margaritas?
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