In partnership with
Overview
No matter the season, we can introduce some Italian sunshine into our golden hour tipples with a classic cocktail—and it's a lot cheaper than flying to Europe.
Italy's most popular liqueur is arguably amaretto, and the world's favourite way to enjoy it is in a classic amaretto sour cocktail. Read on to discover everything you need to know about this sweet-and-sour drink that has delighted cocktail lovers for decades.
What Is Amaretto?
Literally translated, amaretto means 'a little bitter' and that's exactly what this luscious liqueur is: a little sweet and a little bitter. There are numerous amaretto liqueurs on the market, but the originator is Disaronno, from the municipality of Saronno in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.
Depending on the brand, it can be made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, regular almonds or peach stones. These all contain a natural compound that imparts the liqueur's almond-like flavour.
Like with many liqueurs, it can be enjoyed solo, with some ice, added to coffee, poured over ice cream, used in desserts like tiramisu (yum) or marinade for meat dishes, and, of course, in cocktails.
What Is Disaronno?
This Italian amaretto liqueur can trace its heritage back to the renaissance in 1525. Legend has it that Bernardino Luini, an artist from the Leonardo Da Vinci School of Art, was tasked with painting a fresco of the Madonna in the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church in Saronno, Italy. To complete his work, he needed a model, and he found one in the local fair-haired and beautiful innkeeper.
According to the story, the innkeeper was so honoured to be chosen as the model for Madonna that she created an amber-coloured liqueur from a secret blend of 17 herbs and fruits infused in apricot kernel oil.
It got its signature amber colour from caramelised sugar. She gifted this liqueur to Luini, and it caught on. The locals dubbed it 'di Saronno', meaning of or from Saronno, and eventually, that morphed into Disaronno. The liqueur is still made in Saronno, following that same recipe from 1525.
How to Make an Amaretto Sour?
This cocktail is believed to have been created in the 1970s and was originally known as Amaretto di Saronno. It's a twist on a classic sour cocktail that blends sweet and sour elements. It has two main ingredients: amaretto (in this case, Disaronno) and lemon juice.
The inherent sweetness of Disaronno beautifully complements the tart lemon, but if you like it sweet you can always add a touch more simple syrup. For an extra touch of luxury, you can also add egg white, which imparts a silky texture and rich mouthfeel.
Ingredients:
- 60ml Disaronno
- 30ml fresh lemon juice
- 5ml sugar syrup (optional, to taste)
- 1 egg white (or 15ml vegan-friendly option such as aquafaba)
- Ice
Method:
Put ice into a cocktail shaker. Pour in 60ml of Disaronno. Add the egg white (or vegan option if using) and freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you like it sweet, add the simple syrup. Shake the shaker and strain it into a chilled tumbler over ice cubes. Garnish with a slice of lemon, and enjoy.
Where Can the Amaretto Sour be Enjoyed?
In the summer sun, fireside in winter – an all year round tipple. But in all seriousness, we don't always want to be the ones mixing our cocktails. There are plenty of professionals out there who can do a better job than us. Simply go to your favourite bar and order an authentic amaretto sour made only with Disaronno.