Amaretto Sour
Discover the delightful balance of sweet and sour with the classic Amaretto Sour. This iconic cocktail blends the nutty, almond-like flavour of Amaretto liqueur with the sharp tang of fresh lemon juice, often softened with a touch of simple syrup. Traditionally finished with a rich, velvety foam from egg white (optional but recommended for texture) and garnished with a cherry and an orange slice, it's a visually appealing and delicious drink. Perfect for sipping year-round, the Amaretto Sour is a staple on cocktail menus worldwide, loved for its approachable yet complex flavour profile.
Ingredients
- 5 cl amaretto
- 2.5 cl lemon juice
- 1 cl simple syrup
- 1 piece rosemary
- 1 slice orange
- 1 piece maraschino cherry
- ice cubes
Accessories
- 1 shaker
- 1 strainer
- 1 lowball glass
Instructions
Optional First Step (Dry Shake): If using egg white, combine Amaretto, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a shaker WITHOUT ice. Seal and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This helps create a rich foam.
Add Ice & Shake (Wet Shake): Add ice cubes to the shaker (either after the dry shake or as the first step if omitting egg white). Seal tightly and shake well until the outside of the shaker feels very cold (about 15-20 seconds).
Strain: Fill a lowball or Old Fashioned glass with fresh ice cubes.
Pour: Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.
Garnish: Garnish with an orange slice and a Maraschino cherry.
Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Amaretto Sour.
Trivia
- What does an Amaretto Sour taste like?
An Amaretto Sour offers a balanced flavour profile. It's primarily sweet due to the Amaretto liqueur, which has distinct almond and marzipan notes, balanced perfectly by the tartness of fresh lemon juice. The simple syrup adds a touch more sweetness, while the optional egg white contributes a smooth, velvety texture without significantly altering the taste.
- Is Amaretto Sour a strong cocktail?
The Amaretto Sour is generally considered a moderately strong cocktail. Amaretto liqueur typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) between 21% and 28%. While it's not as potent as spirit-forward drinks like a Martini or Old Fashioned, it contains a decent measure of liqueur, making it stronger than a simple highball.
- What is Amaretto liqueur made from?
Amaretto is an Italian liqueur known for its characteristic bittersweet almond flavour. Despite the name ('little bitter' in Italian), it's primarily sweet. Traditionally, it was made from bitter almonds, but today, many brands derive their flavour from apricot kernels, peach stones, or a combination, sometimes including actual almonds.
- Why add egg white to an Amaretto Sour?
Adding egg white to an Amaretto Sour (and other sours) is a classic technique primarily for texture and presentation. When shaken (especially with a 'dry shake' first), the egg white emulsifies, creating a rich, creamy, velvety mouthfeel and a beautiful frothy head on the cocktail. It doesn't add significant flavour but enhances the drinking experience.
- What glass should you use for an Amaretto Sour?
The traditional and most common glass for serving an Amaretto Sour is a lowball glass, also known as an Old Fashioned glass or rocks glass. This type of glass is sturdy and perfectly sized for the cocktail served over ice.
- Can you make an Amaretto Sour without egg white?
Absolutely! You can easily make an Amaretto Sour without egg white. Simply omit it from the recipe and shake the Amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. The resulting drink will still have the classic sweet and sour flavour but will lack the frothy top and creamy texture provided by the egg white.
- What is a good Amaretto brand for an Amaretto Sour?
Disaronno Originale is arguably the most famous and widely available Amaretto, known for its distinct apricot kernel flavour and smooth finish, making it an excellent choice. Other quality brands include Luxardo Amaretto di Saschira, Lazzaroni Amaretto, and Gozio Amaretto, each offering slightly different nuances.