This aperol margarita takes a classic margarita to the next level with added bitter aperol and fresh citrus juices! It blends a classic aperol spritz with a traditional margarita and the result is a tart refreshing cocktail. It is the perfect cocktail recipe for summer or cinco de mayo!

All margaritas need to back up because there is a new margarita in town! Last year I spent my honeymoon in Italy and had an Italian margarita for the first time. I knew I had to make my own version but using my favorite alcohol ever... aperol! Similar to an Italian margarita that uses limoncello or amaretto instead of orange liqueur or triple sec, this aperol margarita uses aperol instead.
The best part about this aperol margarita is that it has the distinct flavors of two classic cocktails. It is tart and sharp from the lime and tequila but refreshing and bitter from the aperol and orange. If your go to drinks are margaritas or aperol spritzes, this easy cocktail recipe is about to be one of your new favorite drinks! It has definitely become one of my favorite drink recipes.
If you love cocktail recipes, you must try my honey thyme gin sour, pomegranate aperol spritz, and pumpkin espresso martini.
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ingredients 🧾

Aperol: One of my favorite things in the world... Aperol! Aperol is the star of this aperol margarita recipe. You will need 1.5 ounces. You can get a bottle of aperol at most grocery stores or any liquor store. It can usually be found in the liqueur section next to the campari.
Tequila: Like most margarita recipes, you have to have tequila! I recommend using a blanco tequila for this aperol margarita for a very clean, agave forward flavor. However you can also use repasado or gold tequila.
Citrus: You will need one large lime (or two small limes) and one orange for this cocktail. The zests of the citrus will be added to the salt for the rim. The fresh juices will be used in the margarita.
Salt: Use your favorite margarita salt for the rim of the margarita. I like a chunky salt but you can also use a finer salt like pink himalayan salt.
Find the full ingredient measurements and instructions in the recipe card below!
variations & substitutions 📖
Switch up the citrus you use! A lot of citrus varieties go great with Aperol. Instead of standard orange juice, try blood orange or cara cara orange. For a more bitter flavor, use fresh grapefruit juice for an aperol grapefruit margarita.
Instead of tequila blanco, try mezcal. Mezcal adds a smoky flavor profile to the bitter and bright cocktail. Substitute the 2 oz of tequila with 2 oz mezcal.
If you are not a fan of a salted rim, try something sweet or spicy! For added sweetness, rim the glass in simple syrup or agave nectar instead of lime juice. This makes the sips have a little more sweetness than the lime juice would add. Then you can rim the glass in demerara sugar or granulated sugar. For a spicy version, rim the glass in tajin seasoning.
To make this aperol margarita a mocktail, use non-alcoholic alternatives. My favorite non-alcoholic alternative for tequila and aperol is the brand, Ritual zero proof.
This aperol margarita recipe only calls for 1 ½ ounce of aperol so keep the remaining alcohol at your home bar for more aperol cocktail recipes, like my aperol martini, aperol paloma, and aperol soda! Aperol is such a great versatile liqueuer and is used in so many cocktail recipes.

tips & tricks 👩🏻🍳
Use a high quality tequila. The tequila you use definitely impacts the quality of your margarita. It is worth it to use a high quality tequila like Casaamigos, Patron, or 818.
Only use fresh citrus juices. The bottled lime juice does not even compare to fresh lime juice. Bottled lime juice has preservatives that can taste funky when added to a cocktail. Same goes for orange juice. Be sure to use fresh orange juice.
Drink this aperol margarita out of a fun margarita glass. Somehow cocktails taste better when in a cute vessel! My favorite cocktail glass to use for a margarita is a colorful rimmed rocks glass. Or for a modern twist, use these ribbed stemless margarita glasses.
step by step instructions 🔪

Step #1 - Mix the salt and zest. In a shallow plate or bowl, using your fingers mix the margarita salt with the lime and orange zest. If using another ingredient to rim your glass like sugar or tajin, mix that with the zest instead.

Step #2 - Rim the glass with citrus juice. Using a cut lime wedge or orange wedge, gently rim your glass. This will act as a sticking substance to allow the salt to adhere to the rim of the glass. If you are a salt lover, feel free to get the side of the glass wet as well for extra licking while sipping.

Step #3 - Coat the rim in salt. Generously press the wet areas of the glass into the salt. Give a gentle shake if too much salt adheres.

Step #4 - Add all cocktail ingredients to cocktail shaker. In a glass or stainless steel cocktail shaker, add the 1.5 ounces of aperol, 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 2 ounces of fresh orange juice.

Step #5 - Add ice and shake. Fill your cocktail shaker with standard sized ice cubes. With both hands secured on the cocktail shaker, vigorously shake for about 20 seconds, until the cocktail shaker feels cold from the outside.

Step #6 - Fill your glass and enjoy! In your margarita glass, add pebble ice, crushed ice, or a large sphere ice cube. Pour your shaken margarita over the ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and orange wedge. Cheers!
serving suggestions 🍽️
Serve this delicious cocktail in a salted margarita glass with a lime wheel or orange wedge on the rim.
Since this aperol margarita recipes gives all the summer vibes, pair it alongside some summery appetizers like hot honey lemon pepper wings, cast iron spinach artichoke dip, and soft pretzels with beer cheese.
faq’s ❓
A margarita is shaken not stirred since it contains non-alcoholic ingredients outside of spirits. Typically a cocktail is stirred if it only contains spirits such as a martini or negroni.
You can go the traditional route and garnish your margarita with lime wedges. Depending on that margarita you're making you can also garnish with orange slices or grapefruit slices.
Crushed or pebble ice goes great in a margarita by giving it a casual cool feel. However if you are looking for an ice that won't melt as quickly and keep your margarita boozy, opt for a large ice sphere or cube. This will cool down the margarita without watering it down at all.
The standard glasses for a margarita are a stemmed large glass that is shaped like a double martini glass. It is typically made of a very thick durable glass.
other cocktail recipes
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recipe 📋
Aperol Margarita

This aperol margarita takes a classic margarita to the next level with added bitter aperol and fresh citrus juices! It blends a classic aperol spritz with a traditional margarita and the result is a tart refreshing cocktail. It is the perfect cocktail recipe for summer or cinco de mayo!
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces Aperol
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 large lime (or two small limes, zest & juice)
- 1 orange (zest & juice)
- Margarita salt
Instructions
1. In a shallow plate or bowl, using your fingers mix the margarita salt with the lime and orange zest.
2. Using a cut lime wedge or orange wedge, gently rim your glass. This will act as a sticking substance to allow the salt to adhere to the rim of the glass.
3. Generously press the wet areas of the glass into the salt.
4. In a glass or stainless steel cocktail shaker, add the 1.5 ounces of aperol, 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 2 ounces of fresh orange juice.
5. Fill your cocktail shaker with standard sized ice cubes. With both hands secured on the cocktail shaker, vigorously shake for about 20 seconds, until the cocktail shaker feels cold from the outside.
6. In your margarita glass, add pebble ice, crushed ice, or a large sphere ice cube. Pour your shaken margarita over the ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and orange wedge. Cheers!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 546Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1009mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 5gSugar: 47gProtein: 2g
All nutrition facts are estimations. Please see a physician for any health-related inquiries.
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