This sweet, sour, refreshing Limoncello Margarita is a Mexican classic with an Italian makeover! Made with no lemonade concentrate, just simple ingredients.
In case you don’t know, I’m a Disney junkie. Particularly Epcot. I loooove Epcot.
Whenever I go with friends, we do the typical “around the world” walk starting with Mexico. I get myself a guava or passion fruit marg inside (not outside) and then head to Germany where I get a pretzel and a beer. And what’s close to Germany? Italy! We always make sure to stop for the prosciutto platter and an Italian limoncello marg in Italy. YUM.
The limoncello margs are frozen in Epcot’s Italy but they are my FAVE drink there. Probably because it’s so dang humid in Florida at all times. I don’t even like frozen drinks nor tequila but yet here we are.
How To Make Italian Limoncello Margarita
I decided to recreate my own non-frozen version of the Italian Limoncello Margarita to share with you guys! Best decision I’ve made all day.
The Disney recipe for Epcot’s limoncello margarita is made with margarita mix. Not a fan. So instead, I made this beauty with more simple ingredients and it’s so refreshingly tart!
- Make lemon salt for the rim. This lemon salt is a mix of kosher salt and lemon zest. Totally not part of the original recipe but omg. It’s like whoa. You take a sip and immediately make a face! Love it. Add the lemon salt to a plate, run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and dip the glass in the lemon salt.
- Make the margarita! Place ice, tequila, limoncello, fresh lime + lemon juices, and agave in a cocktail shaker and shake it up!
- Serve your margs. You can add a splash of club soda or sparkling water if you wish. But make sure to add a lemon wedge or two for good measure. ;)
You can sub the agave for honey or granulated sugar if you prefer. I used agave because it’s like a sweeter simple syrup. Honestly, this limoncello margarita is so easy to make, you just can’t go wrong.
Let me know when you make it!
Italian Limoncello Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces limoncello
- 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons agave or another sweetener of choice
- Splash of sparkling water or club soda optional
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a plate, combine lemon zest with kosher salt. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glasses and dip them in lemon salt to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, limoncello, lemon juice, lime juice and agave. Shake it up! Pour in two glasses with ice.
- Add a splash of sparkling water or club soda, if desired. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Originally posted in August 2018. Updated photos + recipe in April 2019.
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Veronica says
so refreshing and a delightful twist on the regular margarita! even my hubby is willing to leave his chardonnay behind for one of these drinks at cocktail hour!
Jamie Silva says
Love this! Thanks for sharing, Veronica!
Michael says
Astonishingly good!
For a twist, I have been using an ice cream scoop of frozen concentrated orange juice instead of the agave or simple syrup. The limoncello makes all the difference.
Sharon says
This is a delicious margarita, I did use simple syrup and added a smidge more than an ounce. Will definitely be making these again
Kelly says
Excellent!!!!!
Jill Silverman Hough says
I have a big bottle of limoncello in the cupboard and never know what to do with it AND I’m also a margarita fan, so this is right up my alley. Can’t wait to try it–thanks!
Veronica says
if you haven’t tried it yet you should crack that limoncello bottle NOW!!
Linda says
OMG this is so good. I think this is my new favorite drink. Love it. Thanks for the recipe.
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! How far in advance can I make it?
Jamie Silva says
I’d say no more than a day in advance!
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great way to take summer lemonade to the next level!
Mary says
I made this without any sweetener and a lemon and salt rim and loved it. I don’t like over sweet drinks so this was perfect.
elena says
Can I make a pitcher the day before the party or do they have to be made one at a time and not in advance?
Jamie Silva says
Hi Elena, I would make it no more than one day in advance and keep it chilled. Hope that helps! :)
Michelle says
Should the sparkling water be added AFTER you shake the rest of the ingredients? I can just imagine a small explosion when opening the shaker 😅
Jamie Silva says
Hi Michelle, I’ve updated the recipe with new instructions. :)
Kameron says
Great combination of flavors. I’m not a big tequila fan but mixed with the rest of these citrus ingredients & club soda this was good. In fact it did make 2 drinks and I didn’t share-I drank them both, 😋
Jamie Silva says
Haha. Cheers!
Ornia says
Did you make your own simple syrup?
Jamie Silva says
Nope, I use agave. :)