The Amaretto Sour is a timeless cocktail and one of my favorites. Smooth and sippable, it combines amaretto with a splash of bourbon, a few dashes of bitters, and homemade sour mix, finished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry for garnish.
An Easy Yet Delicious Cocktail
This Amaretto Sour is comforting and flavorful—an especially nice choice for cooler months. Making your own sour mix (fresh lemon and lime juice with a simple syrup) brightens the drink and balances the sweetness of the amaretto.
The addition of bourbon tames the liqueur’s sweetness and gives the cocktail more body, while Angostura bitters add an aromatic depth. For a frothier finish, try adding an egg white and performing a dry shake (shake without ice first, then with ice).
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: Enjoyably sweet and tart.
Texture: Smooth and easy to drink.
Ease: 2/10
Pros: Only a few ingredients and ready in about five minutes.
Cons: None.
Would I Make This Again? Yes—this is a go-to cocktail for many occasions.
Amaretto Sour Ingredients
Over the years I’ve tried a few variations; this version strikes the best balance between sweet and tart. Key elements are the bourbon to cut the sweetness, Angostura bitters for complexity, and a homemade sour mix that uses both lemon and lime juice.
- Amaretto – A sweet Italian liqueur with almond-like flavor. Disaronno is a common brand, and the cocktail is sometimes called a Disaronno Sour.
- Bourbon – Adds warmth, depth, and a bit of backbone to the drink.
- Sour mix – Fresh lemon and lime combined with simple syrup provide bright citrus to offset the sweetness.
- Angostura bitters – A few dashes bring spice and balance.
- Orange slice – For garnish and a touch of fresh citrus aroma.
- Maraschino cherry – A classic garnish; brandied dark cherries work especially well.
How To Make An Amaretto Sour
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
2. Add 1½ oz amaretto and ½ oz bourbon to the shaker.
3. Pour in 1 oz sour mix and add 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
4. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
5. Strain into a rocks glass filled two-thirds with ice.
6. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino (brandied) cherry and serve.
“This was sooo good!! It’s definitely going to be a weekly go-to cocktail for me—absolutely delicious!”
– Trisha
What is amaretto made of?
Amaretto is a sweet, slightly syrupy Italian liqueur with almond-like notes. Although it tastes of almonds, many brands flavor it with apricot kernels or a blend of apricot and almond.
How much alcohol is in an Amaretto Sour?
Standard sour-style recipes use roughly 2 ounces of liquor total (this recipe uses 1½ oz amaretto plus ½ oz bourbon), so the alcohol content depends on the brands and exact measurements.
Can you drink amaretto straight?
Yes. Amaretto is often enjoyed on its own after dinner over ice, or as the base of cocktails like the Amaretto Sour.
Large Batch Instructions
If you’re serving a crowd, combine these amounts in a pitcher with ice and stir well. Serves about 8.
- 1 1/2 cups amaretto
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1 cup sour mix
- 16 dashes Angostura bitters
More Classic Drink Recipes
- Moscow Mule – Vodka, ginger beer, and lime make a refreshing classic.
- Frozen Peach Bellini – A fruity, frosty twist on brunch favorites.
- Champagne Cocktail – Light and bubbly with a hint of elderflower.
- Clover Club – A pretty, impressive gin cocktail.
- French 75 – A stylish mix of gin and champagne.
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Amaretto Sour
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1½ ounces Amaretto
- ½ ounce Bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce Sour mix
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange slice, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add amaretto, bourbon, sour mix, and bitters to the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a short glass filled two-thirds with ice.
- Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.
Notes
- Add an egg white: For a frothy top, dry shake (shake without ice 15 seconds), then add ice and shake another 15 seconds.
- Make it with lemon-lime soda: For a lighter, simpler version, mix equal parts amaretto and sour mix and top with lemon-lime soda.
- Use rye whiskey: Rye can replace bourbon if you prefer its spicier profile; avoid Irish whiskey for this recipe.
- No sour mix: Substitute ½ oz lemon juice, ½ oz lime juice, and ½ oz simple syrup if you don’t have sour mix on hand.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 59 g |
Protein: 4 g |
Fat: 2 g |
Sugar: 52 g
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