What does an amaretto sour taste like?
An amaretto sour tastes sweet, nutty and tangy: almond-flavored amaretto with fresh lemon, a bit like a lemony marzipan, often with a foamy egg white top.
Amaretto sour
sweet almond and lemon
An amaretto sour is amaretto, an Italian liqueur that tastes like almonds and marzipan, shaken with lemon juice and often egg white. It tastes like a lemon bar met an almond cookie: sweet and nutty first, then a bright tang from the lemon. Amaretto is only about 24 to 28% alcohol, so the classic is fairly gentle. Many craft bars add a splash of bourbon, which makes it stronger, less sweet and more balanced. The foam on top makes it soft and silky.
Where you’ll see it
On bar menus and brunch lists, on the rocks with a cherry and orange slice. Craft bars often list an upgraded version with bourbon and egg white.
Order it if you like sweet drinks and the taste of almond or marzipan.
Quick questions
- Does amaretto have nuts in it?
- It depends on the brand. Many amarettos get their flavor from apricot pits or almond extract, others use real almonds. If you have a nut allergy, ask the bar which brand they pour.
- Is an amaretto sour strong?
- Not very. Amaretto is lower in alcohol than whiskey or vodka. Versions with added bourbon are stronger.