Amaretto Sour: Sweet Almond Flavor with a Zesty Citrus Twist

In the mood for something that’s sweet but not too sweet? The Amaretto Sour is all about that perfect mix of rich almond warmth and zesty lemon kick.

It’s smooth, just a little tart and has that frothy top that makes it feel way fancier than it is.

You get that sweet almond vibe from the amaretto, but the lemon juice keeps it from turning into a full-on dessert. It’s mellow but not boring, easy to sip but not too heavy.

Add a cherry or a lemon slice on top and suddenly a regular Tuesday feels like a soft launch for the weekend.

What Is an Amaretto Sour and Why It’s the Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy

The Amaretto Sour is that cocktail that feels like a warm hug with a little zing. It’s got that sweet, almondy flavor from amaretto liqueur balanced out with a sharp kick of lemon juice. Think dessert vibes without being cloying… cozy but with a citrus edge.

This drink started as a way to tone down the sweetness of amaretto, giving it a brighter, fresher feel. Add a little simple syrup and an egg white for that silky, frothy top and it goes from basic to bar-worthy.

Perfect for laid-back nights when you want something smooth and sippable or those chill hangouts when you’re feeling fancy but not too fussy.

Tips for Making the Perfect Amaretto Sour at Home

The Amaretto Sour is one of those drinks that’s simple but can go sideways fast if you don’t get the balance right. Too much amaretto and it’s syrupy sweet… too much lemon and it’s all pucker, no warmth. Keep these tips in mind to nail it every time:

• Go fresh with the lemon juice: Bottled juice won’t give you that bright, zippy kick
• Chill your glass first: Keeps it crisp and helps that frothy top hold up
• Don’t overdo the simple syrup: Amaretto is already sweet so start light and adjust
• Dry shake the egg white: Shaking without ice first gets it nice and frothy
• Use a large ice cube: Melts slower so you don’t water down all that almondy goodness
• Garnish with a brandied cherry: It’s classic and brings a little extra sweetness
• Taste as you go: If it’s too sweet add a splash more lemon… too tart add a touch more syrup

Best Foods to Pair with an Amaretto Sour

The Amaretto Sour is rich and nutty with a hit of citrus, so you want food that’s sweet, salty or just a little spicy to balance it out. Here’s what to serve:

Dark chocolate truffles: The almond and chocolate combo is a no-brainer… rich, smooth and just the right amount of indulgent.

Spicy candied nuts: Sweet and spicy plays off the amaretto’s warmth… plus, they’re easy to munch between sips.

Almond biscotti: Doubles down on that almond flavor and brings a little crunch.

Cheesecake with berry compote: Creamy, tangy and just sweet enough to match the drink’s vibe.

Marinated olives: Salty, briny and a good contrast to the drink’s sweetness.

Blue cheese-stuffed dates: Sweet, savory and rich… everything you need to keep the balance right.

Refreshing Amaretto Sour Cocktail

This Amaretto Sour cocktail features a harmonious blend of sweet amaretto liqueur and tart lemon juice, shaken to perfection and served over ice. Garnished with a cherry or a lemon slice, it’s a visually appealing drink that invites you to take a sip.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Amaretto Liqueur
• 1 oz Fresh Lemon juice
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 1/2 oz Egg White (pasteurized)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slice or brandied cherry for garnish

Zero-proof version: Swap the amaretto for almond syrup or orgeat. Keep the lemon juice and simple syrup, then top with club soda or ginger ale for a little fizz. Same sweet, nutty vibe without the buzz.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Prepare a cocktail shaker.
2. Mix the Ingredients: Pour in the amaretto liqueur, fresh lemon juice, egg white and simple syrup if desired.
3. Shake: Secure the shaker lid and dry shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Add Ice: Add ice to the mix and shake again until chilled.
5. Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into a glass or a coupe glass if you prefer it straight up.
6. Garnish: Add a lemon slice or brandied cherry on the top to enhance the presentation. Enjoy your Amaretto Sour!

Prep Times

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 1 cocktail
• Calories: 299 kcal
• Fat: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 44g

Amaretto Sour Variations and Easy Twists to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic Amaretto Sour, it’s time to shake things up. Keep the almond base and switch up the flavors to keep it interesting. Try these:

• Bourbon Amaretto Sour: Add a splash of bourbon to give it a boozy, smoky edge.
• Lime Amaretto Sour: Swap the lemon juice for lime juice for a brighter, zippier twist.
• Spicy Amaretto Sour: Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.
• Orange Amaretto Sour: Replace the lemon juice with fresh orange juice for a sweeter, more mellow vibe.
• Zero-Proof Amaretto Sour: Skip the amaretto and use almond syrup, lemon juice and soda water for a light, fizzy version.
• Maple Amaretto Sour: Swap the simple syrup for maple syrup to give it a warm, rich sweetness that plays up the almond notes.

If you like this you may want to try a Midori Sour or a Whiskey Sour Cocktail.

To pin for later:

Continue to Content

Yield: 1

Amaretto Sour Cocktail recipe

Print

Never made a cocktail before? This Amaretto Sour recipe will have you mixing like a pro. All you need is Disaronno, lemon, egg - whites and a shaker!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 60 ml Amaretto Liqueur
• 30 ml Fresh Lemon juice
• 15 ml Simple Syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 15 ml Egg White (pasteurized)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slice or brandied cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Prepare a cocktail shaker.
2. Mix the Ingredients: Pour in the amaretto liqueur, fresh lemon juice, egg white and simple syrup if desired.
3. Shake: Secure the shaker lid and dry shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Add Ice: Add ice to the mix and shake again until chilled.
5. Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into a glass or a coupe glass if you prefer it straight up.
6. Garnish: Add a lemon slice or brandied cherry on the top to enhance the presentation. Enjoy your Amaretto Sour!

Notes

Zero-proof version: Swap the amaretto for almond syrup or orgeat. Keep the lemon juice and simple syrup, then top with club soda or ginger ale for a little fizz. Same sweet, nutty vibe without the buzz.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 299Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 35mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 3gSugar: 36gProtein: 3g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.