Amaretto Sour cocktail in a rocks glass — Lemon juice

Amaretto Sour Cocktail Recipe

sweet sour nutty

amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white

History

The Amaretto Sour began as a promotional cocktail in 1974, introduced by the U.S. importer of Amaretto di Saronno (now Disaronno) as a simple mix of the almond liqueur and lemon juice. It became a 1970s–80s staple, though often made with sour mix and dismissed as overly sweet. In the early 2010s, Portland bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler revived it with cask-strength bourbon, fresh lemon, egg white, and proper balance—transforming a once-maligned disco drink into a modern craft classic. Nutty, tart, and silky when done right.

Ingredients

amaretto 1.5 oz

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bourbon 0.75 oz (optional for depth)

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lemon juice 1 oz

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simple syrup 0.5 oz

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egg white 1

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Missing a bottle? Stock your pantry to see what else you can mix.

How to make

Dry shake all ingredients to emulsify.
Add ice and shake hard.
Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lemon twist and cherry.

Glassware

Rocks glass

Short and sturdy for spirit-forward drinks served on ice — easy to hold, stir, and sip without watering down too fast.

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Amaretto Sour FAQ

What ingredients are in an Amaretto Sour?

An Amaretto Sour is made with amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Amounts and pantry matching are in the ingredients list on this page.

How do you make an Amaretto Sour?

Dry shake all ingredients to emulsify. Add ice and shake hard. Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist and cherry.

What glass do you serve an Amaretto Sour in?

Serve an Amaretto Sour in a Rocks glass. Short and sturdy for spirit-forward drinks served on ice — easy to hold, stir, and sip without watering down too fast.