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    Home » Classic Cocktails » Simple Amaretto Sour Cocktail

    Published: Feb 23, 2022 · Modified: Apr 29, 2023 by Kevin Mayfield · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Simple Amaretto Sour Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy-to-mix 1970's classic is a delicious blend of sweet and sour. It is made using lemon juice and a wonderful Italian liqueur that dates back over 500 years!

    An amaretto sour cocktail in a small glass with orange slice and cherry

    A Classic and Refreshing Sweet and Sour Cocktail

    The combination of sweet and sour has always been popular in food and cocktails. This Amaretto Sour is so easy to mix up and it tastes so good, it'll become your go-to cocktail.

    There's an entire category of cocktails called sours which include classics like the Whiskey Sour. In the early 1970's a creative bartender in America mixed a newly-popular, 500 year-old Italian liqueur with some lemon juice, and added this crowd-pleaser to the list of sours.

    Ingredients Needed for an Amaretto Sour

    The three ingredients used to mix a sour, liqueur lemon and sugar

    There are only 3 Ingredients needed for an Amaretto Sour:

    • Sugar cubes
    • Fresh-squeezed lemon juice
    • Amaretto liqueur--choose a quality Amaretto like Disaronno, which has a nice flavor at a moderate price.

    You can also use a simple syrup in place of the sugar cubes if you prefer.

    Bar tools needed

    You just need a few standard tools to mix this drink:

    • Jigger
    • Bar spoon
    • Knife
    • Muddler (or the back of a spoon)
    • Mixing glass

    How to Make it

    This drink is very easy to make. Just follow the 5 steps below:

    two pictures showing how to make a cocktail
    1. Pour a dash of cold water into a mixing glass containing your sugar cubes.
    2. Using a muddler, crush the cubes to mix with the water.
    three pictures showing how to make a cocktail
    1. Pour the water and sugar mixture over a ball of ice.
    2. Pour the Amaretto into the glass.
    3. Last, add the fresh-squeezed lemon juice.

    Give it a stir and add any garnish you like, such as an orange wedge and cherry.

    Tips for Success

    Even though this drink is very straightforward, keep these things in mind:

    • Always take the time to squeeze some fresh lemon juice rather than use bottled. It will make the drink come alive with freshness and will not be overly sour.
    • Choose a quality liqueur to mix with. Inferior mixers will not have the nice almond flavor and can be too sweet.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is an Amaretto Sour the same as a Whiskey Sour?

    While the two cocktails are similar and both in the Sour family, they are still different cocktails. The Amaretto Sour uses a sweet, almond-flavored liqueur, and the Whiskey Sour uses a stronger tasting bourbon or rye.

    What can you mix with Amaretto?

    Amaretto is a sweet Amaro bitter that pairs nicely with vodka, rum or whiskey. It is also great to sip straight up after dinner -- with or without ice.

    Before you go, did you try this cocktail? Why not leave a comment in the comments section along with a rating? I always appreciate hearing from you and getting your feedback.

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    An amaretto sour cocktail in a small glass with orange slice and cherry

    Simple Amaretto Sour Cocktail

    This easy-to-mix 70's classic is a delicious blend of sweet and sour. It is made using a wonderful Italian liqueur that is over 500 years old!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 Cocktail
    Calories 143 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1½ ounces Amaretto Liqueur
    • 2 cubes Sugar
    • ½ ounce Freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 wedge Orange slice

    Instructions
     

    • Place the sugar cubes in a mixing glass
      2 cubes Sugar
    • Pour in a dash of cold water and muddle to crush the cubes
    • Place an ice ball in your small cocktail glass
    • Pour the sugar mixture into the cocktail glass
    • Pour the Amaretto into the cocktail glass
      1½ ounces Amaretto Liqueur
    • Pour the lemon juice into the cocktail glass
      ½ ounce Freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • Stir well to mix
    • Add orange slice and cherry (if desired)
      1 wedge Orange slice

    Notes

    • Always choose a quality liqueur to mix with
    • Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice
    • You can substitute simple syrup instead of the sugar cubes

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Amaretto, mid century cocktails, Sweet and Sour Coctails
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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      Nancy and Bentley

      Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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