What is amaretto? Amaretto is an almond-flavored liqueur used in many different cocktails. Whether you use the top branded Disaronno amaretto or another type, you'll never go wrong when you mix up classic amaretto drinks, sweet cocktails, or enticing shots. Once you learn what to mix with amaretto, you'll never wonder how to drink it again. Below are some of the best amaretto drinks you can make.
1. Amaretto Sour
This is one of the most commonly ordered amaretto cocktails in bars, and it's easy to make at home. This amaretto sour recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and sour with just a hint of bitter from the almond.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 1½ ounces amaretto
- Ice
- Lemon-lime soda
- Cherry and orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, syrup, and amaretto.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with the orange wedge and cherry.
2. Almond Joy
Candy lovers enjoy the almond joy, which mixes amaretto with coconut rum and crème de cacao for a drink that tastes like the candy bar. It's a sweet amaretto cocktail with the perfect hint of chocolate, almond, and coconut. This version uses flavored rum to give the drink its trademark coconut flare.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce coconut rum
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce crème de cacao
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the rum, amaretto, crème de cacao, and heavy cream.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a poco grande or wine glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Toasted Almond
This amaretto drink is a favorite among coffee lovers who like a little flavoring with their caffeine. The recipe below is a cocktail version of a latte with almond syrup.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the coffee liqueur, amaretto, and heavy cream.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Orgasm
This popular cocktail is combination of amaretto, vodka, and other ingredients. It's one of the smoothest, creamiest drinks made with amaretto--perfect for anyone who has a sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce white crème de cacao
- ½ ounce amaretto
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce vodka
- 1 ounce heavy cream
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the white crème de cacao, amaretto, orange liqueur, vodka, and heavy cream.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a chilled coupe with fresh ice.
5. Alabama Slammer
Calling all SoCo fans--get comfy with this fruity combo of almond, peach, and a surprising pop of sloe gin. The Alabama slammer shows just how well amaretto liqueur plays with fruit to make juicy and delicious drinks.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce Southern Comfort peach liqueur
- 1 ounce sloe gin
- Ice
- Orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the orange juice, amaretto, Southern Comfort, and sloe gin.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with an orange wedge.
6. Amaretto Cranberry Kiss
Cranberries aren't just for holidays; they are also a tasty cocktail mainstay appearing in popular drinks like the cosmo. But when you're deciding what to mix with Amaretto, cranberry juice should rise to the top of your list either to make a simple highball, or for this more complex cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 orange wedge + superfine sugar for garnish
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ounce vodka
- ½ ounce amaretto
- Ice
- Peeled orange section for garnish
Instructions
- Run an orange wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass and dip the glass rim in superfine sugar. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the orange juice, cranberry juice, vodka, and amaretto.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared cocktail glass.
- Garnish with the peeled orange section.
7. Disaronno Milkshake
While you can use any brand of amaretto for any of these drinks, you can also make Disaronno drinks for a consistently high-quality result. Disaronno has created its own drink recipes; this is a version of one made especially for Disaronno amaretto, and it's decidedly decadent and delicious.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Disaronno amaretto
- 2 ounces milk
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup crushed ice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender with a cup of crushed ice.
- Blend until smooth.
8. Italian Sunset
Picture it; you're sitting on a beach watching the sun dip behind the ocean. What could be better? Having a drink in hand, of course! This layered amaretto cocktail with grenadine is a refreshing summer drink that combines the flavors of almond and orange--perfect for watching the sun slide slowly beneath the horizon.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces amaretto
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 ounces club soda
- Dash grenadine
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with crushed ice.
- Add amaretto.
- Carefully pour orange juice, and then club soda in the glass in layers. Finish with a dash of grenadine. Do not stir.
- Garnish with a cherry.
9. Amaretto and Coke
Looking for an easy amaretto drink recipe? How about one with two simple ingredients? Cola is a perfect amaretto mixer; the bittersweet almond flavor of amaretto is a surprising enhancement to the fizzy flavors or Coke or your favorite cola, making it taste like the perennial favorite, Dr. Pepper. The amaretto and Coke is bound to become your favorite easy go-to when you want to mix up a quick drink.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 ounces amaretto
- 4 ounces Coke or your favorite cola
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add the amaretto and Coke. Stir.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries.
10. Amaretto Alexander
The brandy Alexander is a cocktail that rose to widespread popularity in the 1920s and has remained popular ever since. This version uses amaretto in place of brandy for a sweet, creamy, nutty drink.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce crème de cacao
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- Ice
- Unsweetened cocoa powder for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a cocktail glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the amaretto, crème de cacao, and heavy cream.
- Add the ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Almond Cookie Amaretto Shots
Sure you can do a straight up shot of amaretto--it's a delicious way to enjoy amaretto liqueur. Or, you can add RumChata and enjoy an amaretto shot that tastes like an almond cookie. It's totally up to you. This recipe makes two shots.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces RumChata
- 1 ounce amaretto
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the RumChata and amaretto.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into two shot glasses.
How to Drink Amaretto
With its bittersweet almond flavor, amaretto is an easy choice. It's tasty by itself either neat or on ice, and it adds complexity and flavor to a number of delicious cocktails. So sip amaretto over ice with a mixer like cola or cranberry juice, add it to a cup of coffee for a pick-me-up, mix it with club soda for a decidedly delicious take on an Italian soda, enjoy an amaretto and hot chocolate, add an ounce to a glass of dry sparkling wine for a fizzy celebratory delight, or put it in your cocktail shaker and make one of these amaretto recipes. It's a versatile ingredient that can take your drink game to the next level.
