Amaretto Sour
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If you are craving a classic cocktail, this easy recipe for an Amaretto Sour is just the thing. It’s bright and smooth, perfectly balanced, and made with no egg white, so it comes together quickly. An orange slice and cherry add a sweet garnish, making this a drink you will want to mix up all year long. Perfect for parties, date nights at home, and festive holiday cocktails.
An amaretto sour is the kind of cocktail that invites you to slow down. Whether you are easing into the weekend or celebrating with friends and family.
This cocktail recipe is sweet, nutty, and smooth, bringing together warm almond-like amaretto and bourbon with a splash of lemon juice and simple syrup. It is indulgent, yet light and refreshing.
Why You’ll Love This Cocktail
- Simple to make: With only four ingredients, place them in a cocktail shaker, shake, and strain into your serving glass!
- Irresistible flavor: The sweetness of the amaretto and simple syrup, with the brightness of the lemon juice, creates a sweet-and-sour taste.
- Perfectly balanced: Adding bourbon elevates the simple amaretto sour by balancing the sweetness.
Ingredients
- Amaretto: Disaronno is a popular choice for this sweet almond-flavored Italian liqueur.
- Bourbon: The robust flavor of a high-proof bourbon is recommended. I used a cherry-finished bourbon. Wild Turkey, Maker’s Mark, and Knob Creek are also good choices.
- Lemon juice: Please use fresh lemon juice!
- Simple syrup: Adds a little sweetness. To create your own, combine equal parts of sugar and water in a light-colored saucepan. Warm over low heat until the sugar is fully dissolved. Then allow to cool completely before using. Any leftover syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Orange slices: A popular cocktail garnish, just slice a naval orange. You can use whole slices or slice them in half for a smaller orange slice.
- Cherries: Maraschino cherries can typically be found in the baking aisle of the grocery store. They can sometimes be found in the canned fruit aisle. We also love using “fancy” Amarena or Luxardo cherries.
In Photos: How To Make An Amaretto Sour
Add amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled about ½ way with ice.
Shake well. Strain into the desired glass filled with ice. If desired, top with sparkling water.
Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
Four Tips For The Best Cocktail
- Always use fresh lemon juice! Using bottled lemon juice isn’t desired as it lacks the crispness of fresh juice and can make your amaretto sour taste bitter.
- Don’t leave out the bourbon. It turns the cocktail from sugary to sophisticated without overpowering the almond flavor.
- Shake harder than you think! A strong shake chills the drink properly while infusing the flavors together.
- Serve it very cold. Chill the glasses in the freezer before serving. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
More Cocktail Recipes
Amaretto Sour
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz amaretto
- 1 oz bourbon
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- Ice
- Sparking water, if desired
- orange slice, for garnish
- Cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- Add amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled about ½ way with ice. Shake well.
- Strain into desired glass filled with ice.
- If desired, top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
