Easy Amaretto Sour Recipe
This sweet and slightly tart Amaretto Sour Recipe is a classic, 3-ingredient cocktail that you’ll love!
With hints of almond, it’s a fun cocktail ingredient to use to add another yummy layer of flavor. Sip this next time you want something flavorful and fun.
*The cocktail shaker I’m using in this post, by Elevated Craft, was gifted. It’s one of my favorite bar tools for many reasons.
You guys. I used to order this. At the club. Face palm.
Thinking back, my cocktail orders were pretty funny. I would order things I’d heard other people order or learned about somewhere random.
But now that I’m older and know more about making drinks at home and cocktail ingredients, there is a time and a place for an amaretto sour drink. Because they really are delicious! Especially when you make them at home.
I like to keep my home bar small and try not to purchase many liqueurs or flavored things because I just don’t have the room for them. But amaretto makes the cut.
Why This Recipe Works
This Amaretto Sour recipe only has 3 ingredients which makes it super quick and easy.
If you aren’t a huge fan of cocktails in general, this is a great one (also check out Moscow Mules). Amaretto is super yummy and really doesn’t have that burn going down like lot of alcohol has.
It’s simple to make in a cocktail shaker and looks cute (it’s imporant) in a glass thanks to an orange slice and cherry.
If you sign up for my “cheet sheet” below, you’ll learn that a sour is a basic cocktail recipe that includes an alcohol, a sweetener and a sour element – in this case, lemon juice.
And while this easy Amaretto Sour recipe is tasty on it’s own, there are ways you can modify them to jazz them up even more.
You might just feel like a real classy lady sipping this cocktail like I did at 21 in the local dance club…
If you love super easy cocktails, browse my list of 2-ingredient mixed drinks.
Or browse my cocktail collections: Vodka Recipes, Moscow Mule Variations, Wine Cocktails, Fireball Cocktails, Cocktails with Bitters, 2-Ingredient Cocktail Recipes or Cocktails Made with Coke.
Ingredients
- Amaretto
- Simple syrup
- Lemon juice
- orange, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
See recipe card for quantities.
You can use a brand name like Disoronno (which has slightly more alcohol by volume than some other brands, or another brand.
I like to keep Simple Syrup in the fridge. But you can also make your own drink sweetener. Or just make enough simple syrup for one cocktail at a time.
Use the bright pink Maraschino cherries. Save the Luxardo’s for special occasions.
Instructions
This drink is so dang easy. Add the amaretto to your cocktail shaker.
*Quick note about this shaker – it’s larger than the standard shaker but means you can make several drinks at once supe easily. You can also measure everything right in the top, which I love!
Then add the simple syrup.
And the fresh lemon juice.
Add ice.
And shake well.
Strain over fresh ice in a short cocktail glass. Please notice the glass in this photo is larger than the glass in the next photo.
I’m not an expert guys. I just like making drinks. I’m also a terrible estimator.
Then garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange.
Variations
- Bourbon – Some people add an ounce of bourbon to this recipe to make it into a stronger cocktail. The flavors work really well together and will cut some of the sweetness from the original recipe.
- More Liquor – Really, you can add an ounce of any other liquor to the drink – vodka, tequila, gin will all give it a slightly different flavor. And definitely more alcohol!
- Egg White – If you are’t afraid of eggs in your cocktails, many people add a frothy egg white foam to their sour cocktails. It adds a velvety touch to the drink and is really pretty easy to do even if you aren’t interested in learning bartending skills.
- Orange Juice – Adding a little bit of orange juice adds more citrus and is a great pairing for the Amaretto. It reminds me of my Vodka Sunrise a little bit.
- Frozen – Add some ice and throw it all in a blender. Then it becomes a super refreshing drink to sip when the weather warms up.
- Add Bubbles – Top it with a little sparkling wine to make it feel extra celebratory.
Top Tips
- I think fresh lemon juice is best. You could use bottled in a pinch but it won’t have the same zing that the fresh lemon brings.
- Don’t be afraid to spill a little bit of the maraschino juice in the glass… It adds a pretty color and a little more cherry-ish sweetness.
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? Just add everything to a mason jar with a lid. Works just as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make an Amaretto Sour with sour mix. But I don’t prefer it. I think using fresh lemon juice is one way to make a homemade cocktail taste more delicious and like something you might get out at a craft cocktail spot.
Amaretto is sweet with a nutty flavor that is similar to almonds.
What Else Can you Make with Amaretto
- Did you know you can sip Amaretto straight over ice? Yum.
- It’s not just for sipping! Amaretto is also great in many recipes including boozy baked goods.
- Here are Amaretto Cocktail Recipes to try.
- You can even add it to your coffee.
If you’re looking for a simple, classic cocktail recipe that is easy to make at home, try this, the best Amaretto Sour Recipe!
Related Recipes
- An original Moscow Mule is another classic cocktail you’ll want to try. So refreshing!
- A Long Vodka is a classic cocktail recipe that you may never have heard of. If you like lemonade, take a look!
- A Classic Gimlet is my go-to classic cocktail for when I’m feeling fancy. Even though it’s so easy!
Amaretto Sour Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces Amaretto
- 1 ounce Simple Syrup
- 3/4 ounces lemon juice
- slice of orange, for garnish
- maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- To a cocktail shaker, add Amaretto, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice.
- Add ice then shake well.
- Strain over fresh ice in a short cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.
Notes
Top Tips
- I think fresh lemon juice is best. You could use bottled in a pinch but it won’t have the same zing that the fresh lemon brings.
- Don’t be afraid to spill a little bit of the maraschino juice in the glass… It adds a pretty color and a little more cherry-ish sweetness.
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? Just add everything to a mason jar with a lid. Works just as well!
Variations
- Bourbon – Some people add an ounce of bourbon to this recipe to make it into a stronger cocktail. The flavors work really well together and will cut some of the sweetness from the original recipe.
- More Liquor – Really, you can add an ounce of any other liquor to the drink – vodka, tequila, gin will all give it a slightly different flavor. And definitely more alcohol!
- Egg White – If you are’t afraid of eggs in your cocktails, many people add a frothy egg white foam to their sour cocktails. It adds a velvety touch to the drink and is really pretty easy to do even if you aren’t interested in learning bartending skills.
- Orange Juice – Adding a little bit of orange juice adds more citrus and is a great pairing for the Amaretto. It reminds me of my Vodka Sunrise a little bit.
- Frozen – Add some ice and throw it all in a blender. Then it becomes a super refreshing drink to sip when the weather warms up.
- Add Bubbles – Top it with a little sparkling wine to make it feel extra celebratory.
