How to make an Amaretto Sour Cocktail: A Perfect Balance of Sweet and Sour

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Today we’re looking at my favourite type of sour, an Amaretto sour. Made using the standard sour recipe and sweet amaretto this is my go-to order every time. The sweet and nutty notes also make this a great after dinner drink as well! For other sours make sure to check out Whiskey Sour and Pisco Sour. We’ll go through the history of the Amaretto Sour and learn how to make an Amaretto Sour cocktail at home with an easy-to-follow recipe.

The Amaretto Sour is a cocktail that has earned its place as a beloved classic among whiskey and liqueur lovers alike. With its rich, almond-flavored base and refreshing, citrusy tang, it offers the ideal balance of sweet and sour. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to this delicious drink, the Amaretto Sour is sure to impress with its easy preparation and unique flavor profile. Today I’ll explore the history of the Amaretto Sour. Go through the ingredients needed and provide a detailed guide on how to make this cocktail at home

What is an Amaretto Sour

An Amaretto sour is Amaretto (an almond flavoured liqueur), freshly squeezed lemon juice, egg white and sugar syrup. I love the amaretto sour for its beautiful balance of sweet and tart. The sweetness of the amaretto mellows out the sourness of fresh lemon juice, leaving a nutty and refreshing taste. That you can enjoy at any time of day. I prefer mine after dinner as sours are a bit heavy before you eat. The Amaretto Sour is one of those cocktails that never goes out of style. Its unique flavor combination of sweet amaretto and tangy citrus ensures a balanced, refreshing experience with every sip.

Amaretto Sour History

Amaretto is an almond-flavored liqueur that hails from Italy. Producers in the Lombardy region have crafted it since the 16th century, so it’s been around for a long time. A fun fact is that the Italian word “amaro” means bitter, but we know that Amaretto is actually very sweet. For my Amaretto sour, I prefer to use the popular brand Disaronno. The origins of the Amaretto sour cocktail remain less well known. Bartenders traced it back to the 60s when they sought to incorporate amaretto into drinks. The cocktail became a big hit because it is easy to drink and not very complex or boozy. It gained popularity in the US, where it attracted many fans.

How to Make an Amaretto Sour

Making an Amaretto Sour is simple, and the ingredients are easy to find. You’ll need to start with a good Amaretto. As I mentioned before I like to use Disaronno, but there are plenty of other cheaper alternatives.

Then for your lemon juice I highly recommend squeezing it fresh at home. It only takes a couple of minutes. This way will provide you with a much better-quality drink and the brightness of the lemon will really stand out. Make sure you check out my post on fresh vs bottled citrus juice here.

Now for egg whites! I know it can sound a bit gross, but this is what is going to give you that beautiful velvety foamy factor that is essential to any sour. If you want a vegan alternative, you can use aquafaba. Learn more about the purpose of egg whites and substitutes here.

Finally, it’s on to our sugar syrup. For sours I like to use a rich syrup that can be created by mixing sugar and water at a 2:1 ratio. Learn how to make your own sugar syrup at home here.

Now that you have all of your ingredients let grab our cocktail essentials and make this great drink at home with this easy and simple recipe.