Best Amaretto Sour Recipe

What makes the Best Amaretto Sour Recipe? Sweet almond, bright lemon, and a clean, cold finish.
This classic amaretto sour drink is simple, balanced, and exactly what it should be. The lemon keeps the amaretto from turning syrupy, the ice softens everything just enough, and the whole thing goes down smooth without being boring. No foam. No fuss. Just a properly made cocktail that still feels a little special.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE AN AMARETTO SOUR DRINK

• Only two ingredients, but fully balanced
  
• Sweet without being cloying
  
• Fast. Like… five minutes fast
  
• No bar tools beyond a shaker
  
• A true classic for a reason

Best Amaretto Sour Recipe

This is one of those drinks people think is fussy. It’s not.

You don’t need egg whites. You don’t need simple syrup. You don’t need to turn it into a production.

All you need is good amaretto. Fresh lemon. Cold ice. That’s it.

Shake it hard. Let the ice do its thing. Pour it over fresh ice and stop messing with it.

This is a sit-down drink. A slow sip. The kind you make when dinner’s done and nobody’s rushing anywhere. Classic for a reason.

Learn how to make an amaretto sour cocktail in minutes… no special tools required. And we’re sharing our top amaretto picks so you can enjoy “night out” flavor from the comfort of your home.

INGREDIENT NOTES

• Amaretto Liqueur: Disaronno is the standard for a reason. It’s smooth and balanced without being harsh.
  
• Fresh Lemon Juice: This matters for the best amaretto sour recipe. Bottled juice tastes flat and dull here.
  
• Ice: Fresh from the freezer. Old ice waters everything down fast.
  
• Citrus Garnish: Lemon or lime both work. This is about aroma, not decoration.

CHAD’S RULE OF THUMB

If the amaretto tastes good shaken with ice and lemon and nothing else, it’ll make a great amaretto sour drink. If it doesn’t, no garnish or technique will save it.

SOLID, NO-ARGUMENT PICKS

These are dependable, easy-to-find amarettos that do exactly what they’re supposed to in a classic amaretto sour:

• Disaronno: The standard. Smooth, almond-forward, not cloying. Always works.
  
• Lazzaroni Amaretto: Slightly lighter, a little drier, very clean with lemon.
  
• Luxardo Amaretto di Saschira: Richer, but still behaves when you shake it properly.

These give you a drink that tastes familiar in the best way.

STEP-UP OPTIONS (CONNOISSEUR APPROVED)

If you want a little more edge without wrecking the balance:

• Gozio Amaretto: Less sweet, more real almond flavor. Crisp finish.
  
• Adriatico Bianco: Softer sweetness, lighter feel, plays well with extra lemon.
  
• Homemade Amaretto: Only if you already know what you’re doing. This drink won’t cover mistakes.

These keep it classic, just sharpened a bit.

VARIATIONS

Amaretto Sour + Bourbon: Add ½ ounce of bourbon for depth.

Extra Tart: Increase lemon juice slightly if you like it sharper.

Fruity Twist: Add a little Cointreau or black cherry juice for something sweeter.

On The Rocks: Serve over large ice cubes for slower dilution.

No Garnish: Totally fine. This drink stands on its own!

Chilled Glass: Pop the glass in the freezer first for extra-cold sipping.

WHEN TO SERVE IT

• After dinner, when the kitchen’s finally clean
  
• During a quiet weeknight wind-down
  
• As a simple cocktail option for guests
  
• When you want “a drink,” not a project
  
• Any time something sweet sounds good… but not too sweet

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• Garnish with a twist of lemon and a maraschino cherry.
  
• Serve after dinner with something salty.
  
• For an elevated look, slide a cocktail cherry onto a toothpick and rest it on the edge of the glass.
  
• Pair with a cheese board or a casual dessert like biscotti.
  
• Great before or after a homemade Italian meal.

AMARETTO SOUR COCKTAIL RECIPE FAQ

This drink works because it doesn’t try to impress anyone.

You’ve got sweetness from the amaretto. Acid from the lemon. Ice doing the quiet work of calming everything down.

Shake it hard, and you get proper chill, proper dilution, and a drink that doesn’t feel like dessert in a glass.

There’s nowhere to hide here. Two ingredients means both of them better be right.

When it’s balanced, it’s smooth, clean, and easy to sip. When it’s not… you know immediately.

That’s the beauty of it. And that’s what makes this the best amaretto sour recipe.

TOOLS NEEDED

• Cocktail Shaker: Gets everything cold and properly mixed.
  
• Jigger or Measuring Cup: Balance matters in simple drinks.
  
• Rocks Glass: Classic, sturdy, no nonsense.
  
• Citrus Knife: Clean slice for garnish.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published May 2012, updated and republished February 2026

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