A True Amaretto Sour Cocktail

Liqueur
Author: Yash Lakhan
A cocktail with a frothy top and a pineapple garnish sits on a wooden table against an orange background, with sunlight streaming in from the side.

The true amaretto sour cocktail is a superbly balanced beverage that highlights an interplay of sweet and sour flavours. Unlike simpler, overly sweet variants produced with pre-made mixes, a ‘true’ sour cocktail emphasises on exact proportions and fresh ingredients to achieve a complex profile. Exemplifying the traditional ‘sour’ cocktail family in which a sour agent and a sweetener precisely balance a base liquor, the true amaretto sour is testament to the elegance associated with it.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

Serves:
1
  • Amaretto
    30ml
  • Fresh lemon juice
    20ml
  • Ice cubes (for shaking)
    Cup
  • Extra ice
    For serving
  • Maraschino cherry
    For garnish

Method

  1. Step 1

    Chill a rocks glass and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    In a cocktail shaker, combine the amaretto and lemon juice followed by ice.

  3. Step 3

    Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, or until the surface is fully cold.

  4. Step 4

    Fill the serving glass with ice, double-strain the drink into the prepared glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and serve immediately.

Tips & Suggestions

  • If desired, add 0.1-0.5 ml of pure almond extract directly to the shaker before mixing the ingredients, to elevate the almond flavour without the addition of more liqueur.

  • Lightly crush 1-2 dried maraschino cherries to fine powder. Dust a little pinch of this as garnish on the drink’s surface before serving.

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