This bitter orange twist on a classic margarita is one you'll love! Make an Aperol Margarita as soon now. With tequila and fresh lime and orange juices, this easy recipe comes together fast and is a great way to use that bottle of Aperol on your bar that isn't a spritz.
In a cocktail shaker add Aperol, Triple Sec, Tequila, orange and lime juices.
Add ice and shake well.
Strain into a cocktail glass with fresh ice.
Can garnish with a lime wheel or orange wedge or rim the glass with salt or spiced sugar.
Notes
If you are just starting out with mixed drinks you can always pour a small taste from the cocktail shaker after you've shaken it with ice to test the flavors. Then add anything you think you need to, to balance the flavors to your liking before straining into the glass. Easy variations to the recipe:
Spicy - muddle some serrano or jalapeno (like in my Serrano Margarita) in the bottle of the cocktail shaker then add the ingredients and make as noted above.
Deluxe - swap out the Triple Sec and use a nicer orange liqueur instead. Cointreau or Grand Marnier are great options.
Mixed Fruit - Muddle in some blackberries to make a flavor mash-up. Just about any berry or citrus fruit would work.
Fall-ify - A dash of cinnamon and nutmeg will take that bitter orange flavor and make it feel fall-friendly. Like my Spiced Clementine Margarita, this one can be perfect for that transitional weather between summer and fall.