Amaretto Sour

With just a few key components, the Classic Amaretto Sour embodies the elegance of simplicity. This iconic cocktail is a testament to the notion that sometimes, less truly is more.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings cocktail

Calories 186kcal

Author John Kanell

Equipment

cocktail shaker
Rocks to lowball cocktail glass

Ingredients

2 ounces amaretto liqueur
1 ounce lemon juice
¼ to 1 teaspoon simple syrup
Ice
Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

Combine the amaretto, lemon juice, and as much simple syrup to suit your taste to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until chilled, about 15 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Notes

Start with chilled ingredients. As with most cocktail recipes (excluding warm favorites like my hot toddy), cold is the name of the game. While shaking will help to cool things down, starting with chilled ingredients ensures the ice in the shaker doesn’t dilute the drink too much.
Simple syrup is easy to make! Just combine equal parts white sugar and water in a mason jar and shake until the sugar is fully dissolved. No heat is required, meaning the sugar syrup doesn't have to cool, so you can use it immediately.
Make fancy ice. If you want your Happy Hour celebration to feel extra swanky, go the extra mile and make large ice cubes, preferably from distilled water so it freezes clear. You can find large ice cube trays or molds online or in kitchen goods stores.
Freeze or chill your glass. Much like starting with chilled ingredients, starting with a frozen old-fashioned glass will ensure your amaretto sour cocktail stays perfectly chilled — even if you’re sipping it with utmost leisure.
Add egg whites. For an extra frothy spin on this classic, add a raw egg white to the cocktail shaker with the amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Leave out the ice. Dry shake for 15 seconds, then add the ice and shake for another 15 seconds or until frosted on the outside. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Nutrition