This classic amaretto sour is the perfect simple and easy to make cocktail. With the perfect balance of sweet, tart and nutty flavours, and a creamy, velvety finish, it’s the perfect refreshing yet comforting drink.
Featured Comment
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ These Amaretto Sours are seriously good! Yum! – Ash
My go-to cocktail order if I don’t know what to have is always an amaretto sour. There is something classic and elegant about it, plus it’s absolutely delicious.
I also think it’s perfect for any time of year. The warm, nutty flavour of the amaretto makes it cosy for cold nights, yet it is still refreshing enough for the summer months thanks to the bright and zesty lemon juice.
This is one of those cocktails that is always such a crowd pleaser. It’s a great after dinner drink to enjoy with friends and it only takes minutes to mix together. Honestly if I am making a cocktail at home, it’s probably an amaretto sour!
If you love a sour cocktail as much as I do, then you need to try my cherry amaretto sour or this gingerbread whisky sour which is a festive twist on a classic. Or for something completely different, try this amaretto tiramisu!
Key Ingredients
This is a classic sour cocktail, combining the elements of sweet, sour, liquor, with a creamy finish.
Note all ingredients and their quantities are laid out in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Amaretto – all amaretto liqueurs will vary slightly in taste, but my preference is Disaronno which has that delicious almond taste without actually containing any almonds!
- Lemon juice – freshly squeezed lemon juice adds the citrus / sour element to this cocktail.
- Simple syrup – adding our sweet element. You can buy simple syrup or make your own which is really easy and I include the instructions for doing so below and in the notes section of the recipe card.
- Egg white – this adds the creamy, frothy element that’s iconic in a sour (and I promise, it doesn’t taste eggy!). For a vegan option, you can use aquafaba instead, with the same results.
- Bitters – while adding a dash of aromatic bitters is optional, I do find that when added the amaretto sour just tastes so much better so I always recommend it.
Equipment & Tools
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Cocktail shaker – An essential tool if you want to make cocktails at home as it helps with getting the right mix and froth.
Step-By-Step Instructions
One of the reasons I love amaretto sours so much is because they are a super simple cocktail to make. I recommend if you’re making them for guests, prep not only the sugar syrup ahead of time, but also squeeze your lemon juice. Yes you can buy lemon juice to make it easier, but as this recipe has a short ingredient list, I do recommend fresh for the best taste.
How to make simple syrup
Simple syrup is an essential ingredient when it comes to making cocktails at home, but luckily as the name suggests, it’s super simple to make yourself with a standard 1-1 ratio of sugar to water.
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white sugar. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Once dissolved, remove it from heat and let it cool completely. From here you can use it in cocktails or transfer it to a clean jar or bottle and store in the fridge for up to one month.
When making an amaretto sour, it’s recommended to start with a dry shake in order to get the best creamy texture. So add your amaretto, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white to a cocktail shaker and shake well.
Then, add in a handful of ice and shake again until the shaker is frosty and your cocktail is nice and cold.
Strain the drink into a glass with ice. Finish the drink with a couple of dashes of bitters, followed by a maraschino cherry and a wedge of lemon.
👉Tip! I recommend using large cocktail ice cubes (square or spheres) as these take longer to melt therefore keep your drink colder and also reduces the dilation of the drink from the ice melt.
Recipe FAQs
Egg white is technically optional but I very much recommend it for that iconic, creamy and silky smooth finish. If you prefer not to use egg white, aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) is an excellent vegan alternative.
No, a classic Amaretto Sour does not contain bourbon. However, there are some variations that do include bourbon. If you like, reduce the amaretto to 25ml instead of the 50ml in this recipe, and add 25ml of bourbon. This will result in a stronger, more complex cocktail.
If you don’t drink or are looking for a non alcoholic version of this classic cocktail, you’re in luck as there are now non alcoholic versions of amaretto available. The Lyre’s Ameretti can be substituted 1-1 for the alcoholic amaretto in this recipe.
If you do make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! And tag any of your creations on Instagram with @eightforestlane as I would love to see.
More cocktails and mocktails:
Limoncello Spritz
Non Alcoholic Cherry Spritz
Non Alcoholic Mojito
Vegan Baileys (Irish Cream)
Amaretto Sour
Equipment
Ingredients
- 50 ml / 1 ½ ounces amaretto
- 25 ml / ¾ ounce lemon juice
- 10 ml / ½ ounce simple syrup
- 30 grams / 1 egg white
- 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters optional
- Maraschino cherry and lemon wedge to garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Amaretto, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds without ice until foamy.
- Add a handful of ice to the shaker and shake again for another 10-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a glass with ice. Add a few dashes of bitters on top, then garnish with a maraschino cherry and a lemon wedge.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a guide only and is calculated using automated online tools, therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We encourage you to make your own calculations based on the actual ingredients used in your recipe.
Ash says
These Amaretto Sours are seriously good! Yum!
Sally says
They are the best!