A True Amaretto Sour
A True Amaretto Sour is a delightful twist on the classic cocktail, combining the rich, nutty flavors of amaretto liqueur with fresh lemon juice for a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
- 5 min
- Easy
- Old-fashioned glass
- 4 ingredients
A True Amaretto Sour
Ingredients
- Amaretto1½ oz
- LemonJuice of 1/2
- Ice
- Maraschino cherry
Method
- Rub the rim of an old fashioned glass with lemon, and dip repeatedly into granulated sugar until it has a good "frosted" rim.
- Shake a jigger of Amaretto with the juice of 1/2 a lemon.
- Strain into glass and add ice.
- Garnish with a Marachino Cherry.
What you need
Nothing fancy. Here is what to look for. We earn a small cut if you buy through these links, at no cost to you.
A shaker that seals
Two weighted tins beat three-piece shakers. They chill faster and never jam.
See on Amazon ↗A Hawthorne strainer
The coiled spring holds back ice and pulp. Look for a tight coil.
See on Amazon ↗The hero bottle
Few liqueurs capture the essence of Italian craftsmanship quite like amaretto. This amber-hued spirit, with its distinctive almond-like sweetness and subtle bitter undertones, has become a cornerstone ingredient in bars worldwide.
See 40 Amaretto drinksWhere it comes from
The True Amaretto Sour represents a refined approach to the popular Amaretto Sour category, emphasizing quality ingredients and proper technique. This drink likely emerged as craft bartenders sought to elevate the sometimes overly-sweet Amaretto Sour tradition into something more sophisticated. It has become a favorite among those seeking a balance between the approachable sweetness of amaretto and the tartness of premium sour ingredients.
Tips from the bar
- Use premium amaretto from Italy rather than mass-produced alternatives
- ensure your egg white is fresh if using the traditional sour method
- shake vigorously with ice for proper dilution
- strain carefully for a smooth texture
Twists worth trying
- The Almond Dream
- A version made with stone fruit liqueurs alongside amaretto
- Amaretto Perfected
- A variation using orgeat syrup for deeper almond flavor
- The Italian Sour
- A coffee-infused amaretto sour for afternoon enjoyment
What to eat with it
- Almond-crusted shrimp
- Marzipan and chocolate confections
- Italian butter cookies
- Hazelnut and almond biscotti
The finished drink
Questions
What is in a A True Amaretto Sour?
A A True Amaretto Sour is made with amaretto, lemon, ice, maraschino cherry.
What glass do you use for a A True Amaretto Sour?
Serve a A True Amaretto Sour in a old-fashioned glass.
What does a A True Amaretto Sour taste like?
Expect sweet, nutty, tangy.
What can I make with Amaretto?
We have 40 drinks built around Amaretto. See them all on the Amaretto page.
More with Amaretto
Every Amaretto drink →One good drink, every Friday.
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