If you like the “almondy” taste of amaretto, you will love this italian margarita. Especially with this sweet and salty rim. Seriously it is so delicious.
So this week is Cinco de Mayo. I decided to make this Italian margarita for a Mexican holiday that is only celebrated in the United States about the Mexican army defeating the French army in 1862. I mean it makes sense, right?
I may have mentioned this story before but a few years ago when I went on a vacation in Mexico, we were so excited to be vacationing in Mexico during Cinco de Mayo. Until we arrived there and found out that the holiday is rarely celebrated in Mexico. They actually did however have a few Cinco de Mayo parties at a few American bars in Mexico. Very strange, I know.
This Italian margarita is just your basic margarita of tequila, triple sec, simple syrup, and lime juice with the addition of amaretto. I sometimes don’t use a simple syrup or an agave in my margaritas but for this one I feel like it needed just a tad bit of extra sweetness to bring out the almond flavor of the amaretto.
Also, we need to talk about the rim of the glass. I used a turbinado sugar and margarita salt mixed together and it is bomb. Both of these have large crystals which give it so much flavor and a little bit of crunch.
Italian margarita
(serves 1)
1 1/2 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
1 1/2 oz amaretto
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 a lime juiced
salt and sugar for the rim
Place a tablespoon of sugar(I used turbinado sugar) and a tablespoon of salt (I used margarita salt) on a plate and mix together. Use a lime wedge to rim the glass then dip the glass into the sugar/salt mixture.
Place first 5 ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into a glass.
To make simple syrup- in a small sauce pan, bring to a simmer equal parts water and sugar. (I used 1/2 cup each). Stir until sugar is dissolved over medium heat. Simmer for 2 minutes then cool completely. Can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!