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These amaretto cocktails make the best of this sweet Italian liqueur! Try everything from the classic amaretto sour to the unique Italian margarita.
Got a bottle of amaretto to use up? We’ve got answers. This nutty sweet Italian liqueur has been around since the 1850’s, and it’s still got massive popularity today. While it’s best known for the classic amaretto sour, there are lots more tasty ways to drink it.
Here are all the best amaretto drinks! There’s the classic sour, beautiful in its perfection. There’s the unique Italian margarita, a fusion style version of the Mexican tequila drink. And then of course the French Connection that takes literally 1 minute to make. Ready to get drinking?
The most popular amaretto cocktails
Here's the very best amaretto drink on the planet (we think). Introducing: the perfect amaretto sour! Are you burned from those syrupy amaretto sours made with sweet and sour mix? Let us be the first to convince you: made correctly, this drink can be one of the best cocktails out there. It’s tangy and sweet tart, with a hint of almond from the amaretto that’s toned down by the secret ingredient: bourbon. If you’re not drinking your amaretto sour this way: well, it’s time to start!
Also try: Amaretto Whiskey Sour
Want a simple makeover for your margarita? Try the Italian margarita! This amaretto cocktail is a fusion of the best of Italian and Mexican cuisines. This spin on the classic cocktail swaps out orange liqueur for amaretto, and the almond essence adds a distinctly Italian vibe. Here blood orange juice brings in a brilliant color.
Got 1 minute? Then you’ve got time to mix up a French Connection cocktail! Arguably the easiest amaretto cocktail on the planet, this slow-sipper features Cognac and amaretto in a perfect pairing. Serve it over ice and you’ve got a sophisticated drink that’s far greater than the sum of its parts. The amaretto gives it an almond essence that matches the strength of the Cognac. This one’s a favorite in our house!
Here’s one of the most refreshing, citrus-forward amaretto drinks there is: the Amaretto Stone Sour! Of course you know the Amaretto Sour, that classic boozy sour cocktail with the retro egg white foam. Well, the stone sour is a sour made with orange juice! It’s light and refreshing, perfect for sipping at brunch or on a lazy afternoon with a book. It’s sweet tart with just right right finish of nutty amaretto.
Ready for a cocktail that’s part drink, part dessert, and 100 percent irresistible? Try Amaretto Coffee! Wowza, is this stuff good! It’s one of those flavor combinations that’s years beyond the sum of its parts. The amaretto brings a nuttiness and spice to the coffee that’s hard to quantify in words. Topped with frothy whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s truly to die for.
Another amaretto cocktail great for after dinner? Try the Toasted Almond drink! This creamy drink balances vodka, amaretto and Kahlua that results in a flavor that’s surprisingly similar to toasted almonds. Something about the coffee liqueur adds in a roasty flavor that makes this drink both balanced and intriguing, all at once. This one surprised us with its delicious flavor: and had us coming back for more.
Here’s a drink for Scotch lovers and drinkers who need a little extra convincing. Try the Godfather cocktail! This Scotch and amaretto cocktail is deliciously simple. With just two ingredients, it balances the nutty sweetness of amaretto with the spicy finish of whiskey. The hint of amaretto gives the Scotch a unique intrigue that makes it more palatable than drinking straight up. For a non-Scotch lover, it’s the perfect intro-to-Scotch cocktail.
Here’s a 1970’s retro cocktail that deserves a new look: the Alabama Slammer! It’s known as a lowbrow college drink made with trendy low quality liquor. But step up the liquor quality and you’ve got yourself a first-rate highball cocktail! It’s bold, fruity and balanced: perfect for sipping on the patio, at the lake, or just on a lazy afternoon. Here we’ve given a few little tweaks to the Alabama Slammer to take it up a notch and give it a new and improved vibe.
Perfect Amaretto Sour
Here’s the perfect amaretto sour recipe that will impress everyone! It’s got just the right balance of amaretto with bourbon and lemon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) amaretto
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup or maple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- For the garnish: Cocktail cherry or Luxardo cherry, lemon slice
Instructions
- Add the amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, syrup, egg white, and bitters to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds.
- Add the ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake again for 30 seconds.
- Strain the drink into a glass; the foam will collect at the top. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
More types of cocktails
There are so many more great cocktail recipes to try! Here are some of our best collections:
- Sour Cocktails All the very best sours: Whiskey Sour, Sidecar, Mojito and more.
- Lemon Cocktails Tangy and citrusy drinks like the Lemon Drop Martini.
- Wine Cocktails Wine is great for making cocktails, too.
- Vodka Cocktails Try the greats like the Gimlet and Mule.
- Highball Cocktails Easy to drink and even easier to make!
- Cointreau Cocktails All the great drinks using this orange liqueur.
- Champagne Cocktails These cocktails are light and bubbly! Perfect for celebration.
- Gin Cocktails All the classics: Gin Fizz, Tom Collins, Gin & Tonic, etc.
- Bourbon Cocktails Try these bourbon greats, like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan.
- Campari Cocktails Brilliant red cocktails starring this bitter liqueur.
Delicious!!!