This cherry amaretto sour is my favourite festive twist on a classic. With the sweet flavours of fresh cherries combined with the almond-like flavour of amaretto liqueur, and that smooth and creamy finish, this is going to be your new favourite cocktail.
A classic amaretto sour may just be my all time favourite cocktail, but let me tell you this version is a level up! The combination of my homemade sweet cherry syrup is so incredibly good (and such an incredible colour!), you’re going to be obsessed with this cocktail.
Amaretto liquor has a subtle, nutty, almond-like flavour which is what makes it a perfect pairing with cherry. I’ve taken it a little further as well with the addition of just a touch of almond extract in the cherry syrup to really enhance that combination of flavours. It’s dangerously delicious!
This cocktail still remains a classic sour, with the lemon juice balancing out the sweetness of the cherry so you get that mix of sweet and sour, yet creamy thanks to the foamy egg white. Honestly I just don’t think you can call it a sour without it!
If you love this cocktail and are looking for more festive themed drinks, definitely also make my gingerbread whiskey sour this season.
Key Ingredients
This cherry amaretto sour stays true to the combination of elements you expect from a sour – 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.
- Cherries – fresh cherries will be turned into the most spectacular syrup to be used in this drink.
- White sugar – adding the sweetness to the cherry sugar syrup.
- Extracts – I like to use both vanilla extract and almond extract in this recipe for the best flavour.
- 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.
Equipment & Tools
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- Cocktail shaker – essential for getting the right mix and froth.
Step-By-Step Instructions
To get started, you’ll need to make the cherry syrup ahead of time so that it has time to cool before using it to make your cocktails. You can do this the morning you plan on serving your drinks or a day or two ahead of time.
Cut the cherries in half and remove the stems and pits and place them into a small saucepan. Add in the sugar, water and extracts and place on the stove over a medium/low heat until the sugar dissolves. Allow the syrup to simmer for 10 minutes or until the cherries have softened and the syrup is a rich, purply red colour.
Remove from the heat and strain the syrup, discarding the cherries. Pour the syrup into a glass bottle or jar and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
To make the cherry amaretto sour, add your Disaronno (or amaretto of choice) into a cocktail shaker with ice, followed by the lemon juice, cherry syrup, and egg white.
Place the lid on and shake it really well. Strain the drink into your glass filled with ice and garnish with a fresh cherry.
🍹For a non alcoholic drink, try my cherry spritz! It uses the same cherry syrup and lemon juice combination.
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.
Any good-quality amaretto liqueur will work – my preference is always Disaronno. But choose a brand you enjoy, as its flavour is a key component of the cocktail.
An amaretto sour is traditionally served in an old-fashioned glass but any short glass works well. You can even serve it in a coup glass if you prefer.
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 drinks and cocktails:
Limoncello Spritz
Gingerbread Whiskey Sour
Non Alcoholic Mojito
Vegan Baileys (Irish Cream)
Cherry Amaretto Sour
Equipment
Ingredients
For the cherry syrup:
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 150 grams cherries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
For the cherry amaretto sour:
- 50 ml /1 ¾ ounces amaretto
- 25 ml / 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml / ½ ounce cherry syrup
- 30 gms / 1 egg white
Instructions
- Make the cherry syrup. Cut the cherries in half and remove the stems and pits and place them into a small saucepan. Add in the sugar, water and extracts and place on the stove over a medium/low heat until the sugar dissolves. Allow the syrup to simmer for 10 minutes or until the cherries have softened and the syrup is a rich, purply red colour.
- Remove from the heat and strain the syrup, discarding the cherries. Pour the syrup into a glass bottle or jar and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
- To make the cherry amaretto sour, add the amaretto into a cocktail shaker with ice, followed by the lemon juice, cherry syrup, and egg white.
- Place the lid on and shake really well, until the outside is frosty. Strain the drink into your glass filled with ice and garnish with a fresh cherry.
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.
Elizabeth Gill says
Now that was fun! I had no cocktail shaker so I used a jar. 🍹
Sally says
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂