The Amaretto Sour is a sweet, nutty, and tangy cocktail that belongs to the “sour” family of drinks—typically made with a base spirit (or liqueur), citrus juice, and a sweetener. It’s one of the most popular ways to enjoy amaretto, an Italian almond-flavoured liqueur (often made from apricot kernels rather than actual almonds, giving it a marzipan-like taste with subtle bitterness).
Ingredients (for 1 cocktail)
- 1½ oz (45 ml) amaretto liqueur (e.g., Disaronno or your favorite)
- ¾ oz (22 ml) cask-proof or high-proof bourbon (adds complexity and balances the sweetness; optional but highly recommended)
- 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar-to-water) or regular simple syrup/maple syrup to taste
- ½ oz (15 ml) egg white (optional, for foam and mouthfeel; use pasteurized if concerned about raw egg)
- Ice
- Garnish: Lemon twist (or peel) and 1–2 brandied or Luxardo cherries (skewered)
Instructions
- Dry shake (no ice): Add the amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15–30 seconds. This helps emulsify the egg white and creates a nice foam.
- Wet shake: Add a handful of ice to the shaker and shake again until well-chilled (about 10–15 seconds).
- Strain into a rocks glass (old-fashioned glass) filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon twist (express the oils over the drink by twisting it) and skewered cherries.
Enjoy immediately! It should be sweet-leaning but tart, with a beautiful frothy head if using egg white.
Simpler Version (No Egg White or Bourbon)
If you want something quicker and more casual:
- 1½–2 oz amaretto
- 1–1½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½–¾ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Ice
- Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda (like Sprite) if you like it lighter, or skip it.
Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice, then garnish as above. Some older or home-style recipes use store-bought sweet & sour mix instead of lemon + syrup, but fresh ingredients taste much better.
Tips
- Sweetness: Amaretto is quite sweet, so start with less syrup and taste as you go. Fresh lemon juice is key to cutting through it.
- Egg white safety: Use fresh, high-quality eggs or pasteurized egg whites. If skipping it, the drink is still delicious but less creamy.
- Variations: Some recipes add a dash of Angostura bitters or use lime juice instead of (or with) lemon.
- Glass: Rocks glass is traditional; you can serve it “up” in a coupe if preferred.
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