Italian Margarita

This Italian twist on a classic cocktail is irresistibly delicious! So citrusy and so refreshing.

Course Cocktail

Cuisine Italian, Mexican

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 0

Total Time 10

Servings drink

Calories 297kcal

Ingredients

Italian Margarita

1 ½ ounce blanco tequila
1 ounce limoncello
1 ounce lime juice
¾ ounces agave nectar
¼ ounce triple sec
5-6 leaves fresh basil plus more for garnish
1-2 slices lemon or lime, for garnish
2 tbsp sea salt for rim
¼ tsp Italian seasoning optional, for the rim

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine sea salt and Italian seasoning until well-distributed.
Pour some Italian salt on a plate. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a glass. Roll the rim of a margarita glass in the salt to coat the rim. Add ice to the glasses and set aside.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add tequila, limoncello, lime juice, agave nectar, triple sec and fresh basil. Shake well.
Strain into the prepared glasses. Garnish with fresh basil and lemon slices.

Notes

Best tequila: Blanco, or silver tequila, is best for this cocktail because it is clear and colorless. Gold tequila has added caramel color to make it appear aged, and it will alter the color of this yellow cocktail. I don't recommend it for these, but it will taste just fine if you use it.

Tips & tricks:

Always use fresh lime juice for the best flavor! It will taste much better than bottled lime juice.
Be sure to shake the cocktail well to evenly incorporate all of the ingredients, get all the essential oils out of the basil and also ensure that the drink is properly chilled.
For the best results, choose a high-quality tequila.

Non-alcoholic Italian margarita:

Simply swap the tequila 1:1 for a non-alcoholic spirit. I like Ritual tequila alternative and Seedlip Grove 42.
Substitute lemonade for the limoncello.
Omit the triple sec entirely. You can also use a splash of fresh orange juice or substitute a non-alcoholic orange liqueur such as Lyre's Orange Sec.

Nutrition

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