Aperol Margarita
Aperol spritz meets classic margarita.
Serves2
Prep5 minutes
I’ve finally found the drink of summer. Meet: The Aperol margarita. This eye-catching margarita merges the feel-good vibes of the Aperol spritz with the undeniably tasty classic margarita into one refreshing cocktail. Here, swapping out orange liqueur (or Cointreau) for Aperol in a margarita is a total game-changer. Plus, this cocktail is fairly effortless to make. Besides juicing limes, you just pour and shake and it’s ready to go!
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s pretty and refreshing. Aperol brings orange flavor, plus it lends herbal notes and a touch of bitterness to balance the margarita (orange liqueur, on the other hand, leans towards sweet). The complexity of Aperol rounds out this margarita and creates a more balanced drink.
- It can be made as a pitcher drink to serve a crowd. Just combine a big batch, unshaken, in a pitcher, cover, and refrigerate until well-chilled. When ready to serve, add ice to the pitcher.
Key Ingredients in an Aperol Margarita
- Tequila: A staple in margaritas, use a quality blanco tequila for a smoother finish that complements the bitter notes in Aperol.
- Aperol: Its sweet, bitter, and herbal notes round out the drink’s flavor. There is no other orange aperitivo like it.
- Lime juice: Freshly juiced limes are essential for the best taste.
- Agave syrup: A touch of sweetness from agave balances the overall flavor.
- Tajín seasoning: A Tajín and salt rim enhances the drink’s complexity, making each sip more irresistible.
How to Make an Aperol Margarita
- Salt your glasses. Prep your margarita or rocks glasses by rimming them with orange and dipping in salt. Fill the glasses with ice and set aside.
- Shake the ingredients. In a cocktail shaker, combine Aperol, tequila, lime juice, and ice. Shake well until the drink is chilled; you’ll know it’s ready when the outside of the shaker is icy.
- Enjoy your cocktails. Strain the drink into the prepared glasses and garnish as desired. Sip and savor the perfect blend of sweet, sour, and bitter.
Helpful Swaps
Even a cocktail with just a few ingredients can be personalized to everyone’s tastes. Put your spin on the Aperol Margarita with these fun swaps.
- For a smoky flavor: If you’re the type of person who orders a mezcal margarita, then do the same here! Swap the tequila for a high-quality mezcal in equal parts.
- For a spicy twist: For a spicy kick, don’t just rim the glass with Tajín; instead add a few slices of jalapeño to the cocktail shaker and shake it with the drink to make it a spicy Aperol margarita.
- Make it a spritz: For a slower-sipping cocktail, finish off each glass with a few splashes of seltzer. It lends an effervescent touch and extends the enjoyment without raising the alcohol content.
Aperol Margarita Recipe
Aperol spritz meets classic margarita.
Prep time 5 minutes
Serves 2
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon
Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon
Tajín seasoning
- 1
small navel orange, mandarin, or clementine
Ice, preferably small cubes or crushed
- 2
medium limes
- 4 ounces
blanco tequila
- 2 ounces
Aperol
- 1 ounce
agave syrup
Instructions
Place 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt and 1 teaspoon Tajín seasoning on a small flat plate and stir to combine. Spread into an even layer. Cut 3 half-moon slices from 1 small orange and reserve for garnish (save the remaining orange for another use). Run 1 orange slice over the rim of 2 old-fashioned or margarita glasses to moisten. Invert each glass into the Tajín mixture, turning it as needed, to coat the rim. Fill the glasses with ice.
Juice 2 medium limes until you have 2 ounces and place in a cocktail shaker. Add 4 ounces blanco tequila, 2 ounces Aperol, and 1 ounce agave syrup. Fill the shaker halfway with ice, seal, and shake until the outside of the shaker is very frosty, about 20 seconds. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into the glasses. Garnish each glass with an orange slice.
Recipe Notes
Substitutions:
- The tequila can be substituted with mezcal to make smoky mezcal Aperol margaritas.
- Add 3 thin slices of jalapeño to the shaker and shake well for spicy Aperol margaritas.