This easy Amaretto Sour recipe lets the simple flavors of sweet almond-flavored liqueur and fresh tart lemon shine through. With just 3 ingredients, this classic cocktail is a little bit sweet, a little bit sour, and a whole lot delicious!
Classic Amaretto Sour Cocktail
I love a good sour. Sour cocktail, that is. And this easy Amaretto Sour recipe is always a favorite. This classic cocktail pairs amaretto liqueur’s sweet almond flavor with fresh tart lemon juice for that classic sweet & sour deliciousness that sours are known for. This drink is so easy to make, ready in just 5 minutes. Also be sure to check out my whiskey sour, blood orange amaretto sour and my Christmas sangria with amaretto!
Why You’ll Love This Amaretto Sour Recipe
You just can’t go wrong with classic cocktails. Here’s why you’ll love this amaretto sour recipe:
- Quick & easy. I can make this drink in 5 minutes flat. It’s that easy!
- Only 3 ingredients. With amaretto liqueur on the bar cart, plus a lemon and simple syrup, the ingredients list is super simple.
- Sweet & sour. I love the balance of flavors in this classic cocktail. It’s sweet, tart, and all kinds of lovely with that almond-flavored liqueur!
- A taste of Italy in your glass. The amaretto sour cocktail was introduced in the 70’s by Disarrono, makers of the popular Italian amaretto liqueur. So this drink feels like a glass of Italy, especially since it also includes lemons, which grow abundantly in Italy. (Have you tried my limoncello recipe?!)
Amaretto Sour Ingredients
You need just 3 ingredients plus optional garnishes to make this amaretto sour cocktail. I’ve outlined them below. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredient amounts.
- Amaretto – Amaretto is a sweet Italian almond-flavored liqueur that originated in Saronno, Italy, by the brand known as Disarrano.
- Lemon juice – This adds bright, tart flavor to the cocktail. Please, I beg you, only use freshly squeezed lemon juice for this drink!
- Simple syrup – While the amaretto is a sweet liqueur, I also like to add a touch more sweetness with simple syrup. Feel free to add it to taste.
- To garnish – A maraschino cherry and lemon slice are beautiful and fun!
How to Make an Amaretto Sour Cocktail
I love a cocktail shaken with ice – the shaking perfectly dilutes the drink and makes it ultra cold and refreshing. Here’s how to make it! Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Combine. Add the amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker or jar.
- Shake. Then cover tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to both dilute and chill the drink.
- Serve. Fill a glass with fresh ice, and pour the drink over the ice. Garnish with lemon slices and a cherry.
Tips & Variations
Here are a few tips that will help you make an amaretto sour, along with some variation suggestions:
- Use quality liqueur. I’m a fan of Disaronno amaretto, but other brands make a similar product. Just make sure you like its flavor.
- Only fresh lemon! If you order an amaretto sour at a college bar, it would more than likely be made with a cheap sweet & sour mix – and there would be no fresh lemon juice. My college days are long past – only fresh lemon juice, please!
- Try a flavored simple syrup. To add a kick of spice, tuck in my cinnamon simple syrup instead of regular simple syrup.
- Use cherry juice. Instead of simple syrup, add juice from the maraschino cherry jar.
- Add foam. Some amaretto sours are served with a thick foam layer on top. To make the foam, add an egg white to the cocktail in Step 1 and dry shake (without ice) for 30 seconds to froth the egg white. Then fill the shaker with ice and shake for another 15 seconds to chill the cocktail.
- Swap out the amaretto. Technically this will not be an amaretto sour if there’s no amaretto, but you could use a walnut or hazelnut liqueur in this drink if you like.
- Add bourbon. Some modern versions of this drink include a splash of bourbon, which is lovely.
- Add some bubbles. Top your drink with sweetened soda such as 7Up or Sprite. Or simply use club soda.
Serving Suggestions
This drink is perfect as a pre-dinner drink or served as dessert. Here are some things that would go great with an amaretto sour.
- With cocktail nibbles. An amaretto sour is perfect for cocktail hour with a simple bowl of spiced nuts or candied pecans.
- With appetizers. Offer more substantial bites before dinner and serve this drink with mini grilled sweet peppers with goat cheese, creamy shrimp dip, delicious Italian pinwheel sandwiches, or a platter of grilled shrimp,
- Serve as dessert. This drink is all you need!!
More Classic Cocktail Recipes
Amaretto Sour
Ingredients
- 2¼ ounces amaretto liqueur such as Disarrano
- 1½ ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup or to taste
- Lemon slice and/or maraschino cherry optional garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously until perfectly chilled and diluted, about 30 seconds.
- Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice and strain the amaretto sour into the glass.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and/or a cherry, if desired.
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