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This classic Amaretto Sour recipe is easy to make and perfectly balanced with sweet, tart, almondy flavors.
If you’re looking for a cocktail that’s the perfect mix of cozy yet sophisticated, you can’t go wrong with a classic amaretto sour. ♡
We made a round of these the other day and I was reminded how this drink checks all the boxes of everything I love in a good whiskey cocktail this time of year. The sweet almond notes of the Amaretto mix beautifully the rich depth of the bourbon, creating a warm base for the cocktail that’s perfectly balanced with a bright zing of fresh lemon juice and a frothy egg white topping. If you lean towards a sweeter cocktail, you can add in an extra splash of maple or simple syrup. Or, my favorite, include a few dashes of bitters for extra aromatics. Garnish with a lemon zest and a Luxardo cherry or two, and this lovely cocktail will be ready to enjoy in minutes!
It’s one of those cocktails that’s always such a crowd-pleaser whenever we offer up a round. So the next time you’re craving a cozy cocktail to warm up, bring out the bourbon and let’s make some amaretto sours!
Amaretto Sour Ingredients
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients you will need to make an amaretto sour cocktail:
Amaretto: This almond-flavored liqueur is the star of this cozy cocktail. Its rich, nutty, sweet flavor with subtle hints of apricot play perfectly with the bourbon and lemon.
Bourbon: A splash of high-proof bourbon adds delicious complexity to this cocktail with its layers of smoky, warm flavors.
Lemon juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is essential for cutting through the sweetness of the amaretto, balancing the cocktail here with a refreshing citrus kick.
Maple syrup (or simple syrup): I prefer using maple syrup to sweeten an amaretto sour cocktail, whose caramel flavor enhances the nutty flavor of the amaretto. But you’re welcome to use simple syrup as a sweetener instead, which is more traditional.
Egg white (optional): I love adding an egg white to this cocktail, which creates a light, creamy, velvety foam layer that sits on top of the drink. But if you prefer not to consume raw eggs, you can leave the egg white out entirely.
Angostura bitters (optional): Feel free to add in a few shakes of bitters for additional herbal, spicy notes if you would like!
Garnishes: Top the drink with a lemon twist and a Luxardo cherry or two for a simple, classy garnish.
Recipe Tips
Step-by-step instructions are included in the recipe below, but here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
Use fresh lemon juice. I always recommend using freshly-squeezed lemon juice in cocktails, which adds brighter and more vibrant flavor than the store-bought bottled stuff (which can often have an artificial aftertaste). If you need an excellent citrus juicer, I’ve owned this one for over a decade and swear by it!
Sweeten to taste. Amaretto is naturally sweet, so I recommend giving the cocktail a taste before adding maple syrup (or your choice of sweetener). You may not need it.
Chill your glass. Pop those glasses in the freezer while you mix the cocktail so that the drink will stay chilled even longer!
Use a large ice cube. Finally, I recommend using a large ice cube (cubed or sphere), which will slow the ice from melting and diluting the cocktail while still keeping it chilled.
More Whiskey Cocktails To Try
Looking for more classic whiskey cocktail recipes to try? Here are a few of our favorites:
Dry shake.Combine the amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, bitters and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake vigorously (without ice) for 15 seconds.
Add ice.Add a large handful of ice to the shaker. Cover and shake vigorously for 15 more seconds or until chilled.
Serve.Strain into a cocktail glass over ice. Top with lemon twist and a Luxardo cherry. Serve immediately and enjoy!
This is absolutely delicious and so festive = thanks Ali! It isn’t overly sweet wtih the simple sugar added, but if you lean less sweet and slightly more sour, then I think you could omit the simple or maple syrup.
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AMARETTO SOURS ARE MY FAVORITE!!
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This is absolutely delicious and so festive = thanks Ali! It isn’t overly sweet wtih the simple sugar added, but if you lean less sweet and slightly more sour, then I think you could omit the simple or maple syrup.