Amaretto Sour cocktail med skum og citronskive

Amaretto Sour – the perfect recipe

An Amaretto Sour gets too sweet fast if the liqueur only meets a splash of lemon. A good version has clear almond sweetness, fresh acidity and a soft mouthfeel – not a dessert that hides the alcohol.

Here is a recipe that keeps balance, plus the modern bourbon variant many bars use today.

Classic Amaretto Sour (1 drink)

  • 4.5 cl amaretto liqueur
  • 3 cl fresh lemon juice
  • 1–1.5 cl sugar syrup (1:1) – taste as you go
  • 2–2.5 cl pasteurised egg white (optional, from the shop)
  • Ice

Method

  1. Measure amaretto, lemon and syrup into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add egg white if you want foam. Shake without ice for 8–10 seconds (dry shake).
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 10–12 seconds.
  4. Fine strain into a lowball over fresh ice – or straight up in a coupe/Nick & Nora.
  5. Garnish with a lemon slice or cocktail cherry.

A Hawthorne Strainer 380 Deluxe and optional fine strainer give cleaner foam.

Modern variant with bourbon

  • 4.5 cl amaretto
  • 2 cl bourbon
  • 3 cl fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5–1 cl sugar syrup as needed
  • egg white as above (optional)

Bourbon adds dryness and spice so amaretto does not fill the whole glass. Start with 2 cl and adjust.

Why does Amaretto Sour get too sweet?

Amaretto is already sweet. Cutting lemon or skipping fresh citrus tips the drink. Use freshly squeezed lemon – bottled juice tastes flat. Syrup is only for fine-tuning, not the main sweetness.

With or without foam?

Both work. Foam adds texture and a classic sour look. Without foam the drink is still good – just more direct. For vegans: use a suitable vegan foamer per pack dosage, or skip foam.

Also see our guide on egg white in whiskey sour.

Amaretto syrup is not amaretto liqueur

Monin Amaretto Syrup and 1883 Amaretto Syrup are alcohol-free flavour products. They work in a mocktail sour (lemon + syrup + soda/ice) but do not replace the liqueur 1:1 in the classic cocktail.

Glassware

Lowball over ice is most common. Straight up: coupe or Nick & Nora. See Nick & Nora vs coupe.

Gear that makes the difference

See the full shaker range and strainers.

FAQ

Does Amaretto Sour need bourbon?

No. The classic is amaretto, lemon and sweetness. Bourbon is a modern balance aid.

Can you make it without egg?

Yes. Skip foam, or use a vegan alternative per product instructions.

Which amaretto?

A clean amaretto liqueur you enjoy neat. Cheap artificial flavours drag the drink down.

Which ice?

Large, firm cubes. Small wet cubes dilute too fast while shaking.

Ready to mix?

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