This Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail that combines sweet almond-flavored liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and an optional egg white for a frothy texture. Serve it over crushed ice and garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry and an orange or lemon twist for added flair. It’s the perfect adult beverage for those who enjoy a sweet, nutty, refreshing drink! If you like Amaretto, you will also want to check out my Yellow Hammer Slammer!

Two Amaretto Sour's on a wooden table with ice and oranges around.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Amaretto Liqueur: Amaretto is an almond-flavored liqueur, made with almonds and the kernels in apricot pits. If you don’t have Amaretto, you could substitute hazelnut liqueur, which will have the hazelnut flavor. Or, you could use vodka with a few drops of almond extract.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a little tartness to offset some of the sweetness from Amaretto. If you don’t have a lemon, use lime juice.
Simple Syrup: I like making simple syrup for cocktails and other recipes. Or, try the cocktail with honey syrup or maple syrup.
Egg White*: Adding the egg white is optional. It does give the drink a frothier texture but can be left out if preferred. You could also use foaming bitters, which are designed for cocktails. It will add a frothy head without using egg whites. Or, try aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, for the frothy texture.
Garnish: I like to add a maraschino cherry and a twist of lemon peel for garnish. Orange peels or a lime twist are also options.

Pouring the Amaretto Sour cocktail into a glass with ice.

Can I Make An Amaretto Sour Without A Cocktail Shaker?

Absolutely! Even if you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can mix an amaretto sour to sip and enjoy! If you still want the mix and chill factor of a cocktail shaker, use a traveling coffee mug with a tight lid. Add the ingredients to the coffee mug with ice, cover the opening mouth part, and get shakin’! Open it up and pour it into the glass of ice. A mason jar with a tight-fitting lid would also work!

How To Make A Large Batch of Amaretto Sour For Parties and Gatherings?

This recipe makes one individual cocktail, but you can make a large batch to serve at parties or gatherings. To make a large batch of Amaretto Sour:

Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher or mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of amaretto, 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ cup of simple syrup, and the optional ½ cup of egg white if you want a frothy texture.
Mix Well: Stir or whisk the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. If using egg white, whisk vigorously to ensure it is fully incorporated and creates a frothy consistency.
Chill: Cover the pitcher or bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to develop and ensures the drink is cold. (Taste the mixture before chilling and adjust the sweetness by adding more simple syrup or lemon juice if necessary.)
Serve: When ready to serve, fill individual glasses with ice cubes or crushed ice. Pour the chilled Amaretto Sour mixture over the ice.
Garnish: Add a maraschino cherry and an orange or lemon twist to each glass for garnish.

Hand holding a glass filled with the Amaretto Sour drink.

How To Make a Delicious Non-Alcoholic Amaretto Sour Mocktail

If you want to enjoy this drink, but without the alcohol, it’s easy! To make a non-alcoholic amaretto sour mocktail, use almond syrup (like orgeat) instead of amaretto liqueur, combined with lemon juice and simple syrup. Simple, but delicious!

Amaretto Sour

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

This Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail that combines sweet almond-flavored liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and an optional egg white for a frothy texture. Serve it over crushed ice and garnish the cocktail with a maraschino cherry and a lemon twist for added flair. It's the perfect adult beverage for those who enjoy a sweet, nutty, refreshing drink!

Save Print Rate Comment

Ingredients

▢ 2 ounces Amaretto liqueur
▢ 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
▢ ½ ounce simple syrup
▢ ½ ounce egg white*, optional for a frothier texture
▢ crushed Ice cubes
▢ maraschino cherry, optional, for garnish
▢ orange twist, or lemon twist, optional, for garnish

Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker with Amaretto, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using).
Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15 seconds. Add crushed ice. Shake for another 15 seconds to ensure it is well incorporated and frothy.
Strain the mixture into a low-ball glass filled halfway with crushed ice.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a twist of orange or lemon peel.

Video

Notes

*This cocktail contains a raw egg white (which is optional). And though getting sick from eating raw egg products—particularly if you’re very careful to use very fresh eggs that have been adequately refrigerated and that weren’t cracked in the carton or are using pasteurized eggs—is relatively unlikely, folks who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems might want to avoid it.

Egg White Substitutions: If you do not want to use egg whites but still want the frothy texture, try aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas, or foaming bitters.

Did you make this recipe?

Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.

What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:

Autumn

This Amaretto Sour is a perfect balance of sweet and sour! The Amaretto gives it a lovely almond flavor, while the fresh lemon juice adds just the right amount of tartness. Adding egg white makes it beautifully frothy.

Elizabeth

I am not a fan of sweet drinks, and I think I had too many of these Amaretto sours in my younger days to appreciate this cocktail. But, it was good if you love Amaretto sours!

Bella

This drink is a winner in my book! The Amaretto gives it a rich, nutty flavor that's complemented perfectly by the tangy lemon juice. It's smooth, refreshing, and the maraschino cherry garnish is a cute addition.

Selena

I absolutely loved this cocktail! The balance between the Amaretto's sweetness and the lemon juice's tartness is spot on. The egg white adds a delightful frothy texture that makes it feel fancy. Definitely a new favorite!