Amaretto Sour

The Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail that’s both sweet and sour. This popular drink is made with amaretto liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and is often garnished with a cherry. The combination of flavors and the frothy, silky texture make it a favorite among cocktail lovers.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try experimenting with different variations of the Amaretto Sour. Some bartenders add a splash of whiskey or bourbon to give the drink more body, while others use aquafaba instead of egg whites to create a vegan-friendly foam. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try something new, an Amaretto Sour is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next party or get-together.

Join us on a journey through the world of Classic Amaretto Sours, where we’ll uncover the secrets to crafting this iconic drink, discover variations to suit your preferences, and celebrate the enduring popularity of this delectable cocktail.

History

The Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed for decades. The origins of this cocktail can be traced back to Italy in the early 1900s. Amaretto, an Italian liqueur, was created in Saronno, a small town in Lombardy, Italy. This liqueur is made from almonds, apricot pits, and other secret ingredients, which are macerated in alcohol to create a sweet and nutty flavor.

One legend has it that in 1525, a young widowed innkeeper posed for an artist who was painting frescoes in a church in Saronno. In gratitude, the artist created a special liqueur for the innkeeper, using the ingredients he had on hand. This liqueur became known as Amaretto, which means “a little bitter” in Italian.

According to an entry in The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails by Portland bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler, the Amaretto Sour has a swanky side. He recommends using cask-strength bourbon in place of the traditional whiskey to give the cocktail a richer, more complex flavor.

How to Make It

Amaretto Sour

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Making an Amaretto Sour is easy and requires only a few ingredients: amaretto liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Here's how to make it:

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Ounces Amaretto
• 1 1/2 Ounces Lemon Juice or Sour Mix
• 1 Teaspoon Simple Syrup
• 1 Egg White Optional
• 1 Lemon Slice Garnish Optional
• 1 Brandied Cherry Optional

Instructions

1. Juice your lemon
2. Separate your egg white
3. Put all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker
4. Shake it without ice for a few seconds
5. Then add ice and shake well
6. Strain it into a glass

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Variations

If you are a fan of the classic amaretto sour cocktail, you might be interested in trying out some variations to switch things up. Here are a few popular variations to consider:

Bourbon Amaretto Sour

This variation swaps out the whiskey sour’s whiskey for amaretto liqueur. To make this cocktail, shake together 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz amaretto, ¾ oz lemon juice, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice and garnish with a cherry and a lemon twist.

Luxardo Amaretto Sour

This version of the amaretto sour uses Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur instead of simple syrup for a slightly different flavor profile.

To make this cocktail, combine 2 oz amaretto, 1 oz lemon juice, ½ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry and a lemon peel.

Apricot Amaretto Sour

This variation adds apricot liqueur to the mix for a fruity twist. To make this cocktail, combine 1 ½ oz amaretto, ½ oz apricot liqueur, ¾ oz lemon juice, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

Aquafaba Amaretto Sour

For a vegan-friendly version of the amaretto sour, you can use aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) instead of egg whites to create a silky texture and foam. To make this cocktail, combine 2 oz amaretto, ¾ oz lemon juice, ½ oz simple syrup, and 1 oz aquafaba in a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake vigorously for about a minute to create the foam. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

Pisco Amaretto Sour

This variation uses pisco (a type of brandy) instead of whiskey for a South American twist. To make this cocktail, combine 2 oz pisco, 1 oz amaretto, ¾ oz lemon juice, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry and a lemon twist. These variations offer a range of flavors and ingredients to experiment with while still maintaining the sour cocktail’s base.