The Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail… for good reason! A refreshing combination of amaretto liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and sour with a delicious, unique flavor. A great cocktail for easy sipping… anytime!

I’m pretty sure an Amaretto Sour was one of the first cocktails I ever had… way back in the day… when I was just getting into the world of mixed drinks.

Back then, it was one of my favorites, and if you’ve ever tried it I’m sure you’ll understand why. It’s light and sweet and goes down easily, and it’s the perfect cocktail for any occasion.

My ONLY problem with it? It can easily run the risk of being too sweet. Because amaretto is sweet on its own, so it really needs to be balanced out with other flavors. Luckily, this recipe is well-balanced and not overly sweet. The combination of fresh lemon juice and club soda really helps to tone down the amaretto, making it deliciously refreshing and enjoyable.

To this day, it’s still one of my go to’s for holidays, parties, or girls’ nights. It’s one of those drinks that everyone seems to love… and once you try this version I have no doubt you’ll love it too!

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🍋 Ingredients

This drink is easy to make, with just a few ingredients. When possible, I would highly recommend using fresh squeezed lemon juice in place of bottled. Bottled juice will work, too, but I find it’s worth the extra effort to go fresh.

To make the simple syrup, all you need to do is combine equal amounts of sugar and water in a small saucepan, bring it to a boil, and remove it from the heat to cool.

2 oz. amaretto liqueur
1 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
splash of club soda (optional)

*I love the addition of club soda or flavored sparkling water to finish this drink off. Not only does it help balance out the sweetness, but it adds a bit of carbonation that I always enjoy!

📋 Instructions

Making this drink is as easy as measuring, mixing, and pouring. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker… no worries! Any jar with a lid will work.

Combine amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well to chill; strain into a cocktail glass with ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

🌰 What is amaretto?

Amaretto is an Italian liqueur that originated in Saronno, Italy. It has a sweet almond flavor. Amaretto was originally made from almonds, but today can be made from either apricot pits, peach pits, or almonds, which are then combined with other flavorings to create the liqueur we know and love. It is most often used in alcoholic beverages, and can also be used in desserts, breads, and sauces.

🥃 How strong is an amaretto sour?

In the world of cocktails, an Amaretto Sour is not very strong. Most amaretto brands are 42 proof, which means they contain 21% alcohol. By comparison, most liquors are 80 proof.

🍊 Recipe variations

Here are some easy ways to jazz up this basic recipe according to your tastes!

Add a splash of orange juice to make an Amaretto Stone Sour
Add an egg white for a frothy finish
Add a shot of bourbon or vodka to balance out the flavor
Add 1 oz. white wine to make an Amaretto Wine Sour
Use a combination of lemon juice and lime juice for a unique twist

🍹 Related recipes

We LOVE classic cocktails… and these are some of our other favorites:

Amaretto Sour

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings:

Calories: 245kcal

Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

2 oz. amaretto liqueur
1 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
splash of club soda optional

Instructions

Combine amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well to chill; strain into a cocktail glass with ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Sodium: 13mg | Sugar: 29g

Collage image of Amaretto Sour with ingredients

The Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail… for good reason! A refreshing combination of amaretto liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and sour with a delicious, unique flavor. A great cocktail for easy sipping… anytime!

Amaretto Sour 0 minutes