The next time you’re looking for an easy-to-make, not-too-boozy dessert cocktail, might I recommend you shake up an Amaretto Sour.
It’s a truly delicious drink, especially if you use homemade sour mix instead of using pre-made sour mix. The best part is the homemade version is not complicated and you only need 3 ingredients.
This classic cocktail is a great recipe to have on hand and is easy to make for a crowd. It’s bright and refreshing flavor makes it the perfect summer drink, but you can enjoy it year round.
Plus, if you already have Amaretto liqueur on hand, maybe from mixing up these snickerdoodle martinis, then you’re basically already there. This is a super simple amaretto sours recipe that anyone can make.
Related: 40 Fun Cocktails to Make at Home
Drink Ingredients:
I’ve seen Amaretto Sours made a few different ways, but the version I love is just three ingredients plus garnish. Depending on what you have available in your pantry you can swap the simple syrup and the lemon juice for homemade sour mix.
This is a fresh and fun mix to have on hand for a variety of cocktails. Make a batch to store in the fridge and use it for your next cocktail or mocktail.
To make my favorite version of an Amaretto Sour you’ll need:
- Amaretto Liqueur
- Simple Syrup
- Lemon juice
- garnish of choice (not required, but I’d recommend cherries, oranges or even another berry/fruit)
Amaretto Sour Variations:
This is a super popular drink with all kinds of fun additions/customizations you can make. Here are a few ideas:
- Use a fruit infused syrup like orange simple syrup to enhance the fresh flavor of the drink.
- Add an additional alcohol flavor like bourbon or whiskey. Elsie recommends substituting half of the Amaretto liqueur for whiskey.
- Use Sprite or another lemon-lime flavored carbonated drink. If using Sprite add it right before serving so that the soda doesn’t go flat.
Other cocktails to try:
- (Easy) Espresso Martini
- Lemon Drop Martini (Plus Mocktail Version!)
- Homemade Margarita Mix
- Grasshopper Cocktail
Above, we created this cute graphic that shows the ratios of ingredients. You can pin or save this for future reference. Or how cute would it look printed out and above a bar cart?
You serve this in a small coup, martini glass, or over ice in a rocks glass (or small tumbler). But hey, if you pour this over ice in a coffee mug to sip on your back porch with friends, you won’t get any judgment from me. 🙂
Here’s a fun little serving trick to try. Freeze ice sideways in a rocks glass, and then you can just pour the cocktail in and you’re ready to go. You can use anything from baking soda, flour, or granulated sugar to hold glasses sideways while they set in the freezer.
Just be sure there is no liquid/moisture on the outside of the glasses beforehand because otherwise some of that substance may freeze to the outside of the glass.
Amaretto Sours: They are fun, they are sweet, they are delicious. Cheers! xo. Emma
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Ingredients
- 2 ounces Amaretto liqueur
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce lemon juice (about half a lemon)
- 1-2 cherries and an orange wedge (for garnish)
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
Instructions
- To a cocktail shaker add ice, amaretto, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Shake until the outside of the shaker becomes very cold in your hand.
- Strain into a coup or over ice in a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a cherry (or two) and a orange wedge.
Notes
- This is certainly a sweet, dessert-like cocktail, but I personally like to go a little heavy on the lemon juice and a little light on the simple syrup. Still roughly an ounce of each but as you pour into your jigger you can control if it’s a very full ounce or not. Adjust as you prefer.
- If you prefer, make your own homemade sour mix and substitute for the lemon juice and simple syrup.
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
my parents grew up with this recipe in the 70’s
This is the perfect example of how a few simple ingredients can really create something so delicious! It’s also perfect for every occasion. LOVE IT!!!
Oh! This tastes AMAZING!
This recipe highlights the balance of flavors. Thanks!
Beautiful shot!!! These sours look amazing.
Amaretto sours make me think of college. My friends would always order them, but I never cared for them. I thought I didn’t like Amaretto for years, but have since learned I just don’t care for the sour mix that bars use. This version sounds way better.
Yes, it’s for sure a sweeter cocktail. I think of it as a dessert drink, meaning just one is enough (sugar) for me. If I’m planning to have more than one drink I’d probably stick to something a little less sweet or wine. 🙂
amaretto sours were always my go to order when I went into a bar or club in my early 20s. Surprisingly, I’ve never made them myself. Think it’s time to change that!
i love this recipe. I think my parents grew up with this in the 70’s. laura
Sounds like such a great drink to make to grasp the tail of summer! Perfect! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Yes! This makes me wish I lived near The Golden Girl Rum Club. I love the idea of the sideways ice.