Italian Margarita

My new favorite cocktail is this Italian Margarita. 

It is a combination of tequila and lime, with a combination of Italian liqueurs (Aperol and Luxardo) to substitute for the triple sec. 

Aperol is an Italian light herbal aperitif with a light alcohol content. 

Luxardo cherry liqueur has been produced in Italy since the early nineteenth century. 

The resulting cocktail is fruity fresh, with a little bit of bitterness, but not too much. It's very easy to drink, yet herbal and not overly sweet. 

For another Italian twist on a margarita, try the limoncello margarita too! 

Italian Margarita

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces tequila blanco
1 ounce Aperol
!/2 ounce cherry liqueur, such as Luxardo
The juice of a lime
Lemon twist to garnish

Instructions

1. Add the tequila, Aperol, cherry liqueur, and lime juice to an ice filled shaker. 
2. Shake the ingredients for about 30 to 60 seconds, until fully chilled. 
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 
4. Garnish with a lemon twist. 

Enjoy!

Bittersweet Martini

The basis for this Bittersweet Martini is Aperol, a low alcohol Italian digestif made from bitter oranges, sweet oranges, rhubarb, and other root vegetables. It is somewhat like Campari, but with half the alcohol, and a much milder flavor.

It is best know as an ingredient in "The Spritz," an Italian cocktail with Aperol or some other bitter liqueur, procecco, and soda on the rocks.

This cocktail is so refreshing, with just enough bitterness to give it an "adult" flavor, but just enough sweetness to make it easy to sip on a warm evening.

Bittersweet Martini

Adapted from A Cocktail Life, makes one cocktail.

Ingredients

2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce Aperol

1/2 ounce tangelo or tangerine juice (you can also use orange juice)

1/2 ounce lime juice (I used Bearss lime juice)

1 1/2 tsp frozen lemonade concentrate

Grapefruit, tangelo, tangerine, or orange twist

Instructions

1. Fill a shaker with ice and add the gin, Aperol, juices, and lemonade concentrate. 
2. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 
3. Twist the zest over the cocktail and drop it into the cocktail.

Enjoy!