This Blood Orange Amaretto Sour Cocktail is sure to be a winner at your next gathering. You get the taste of almond-flavored liqueur and hints of citrus in every sip. This cocktail recipe is simple to make and only requires a few ingredients.
Sour cocktails are a refreshing break from a glass of wine, like a Limoncello Spritz, Garibaldi Cocktail, and this Amaretto Sour. The fresh lemon juice and citrus garnish are perfect for the warm months (or any time of year). So grab your fancy glasses and get shaking.
What is an Amaretto Sour?
An amaretto sour is a classic drink made from a spirit of your choice (usually bourbon), citrus juice, and some type of sweetener. There’s a bit of a discrepancy in its creation. Some believe it was created in the United States when almond liqueurs were booming. Others believe the drink manifested in Italy, where amaretto was already a staple. Regardless, the recipe is delicious!
But wait, what is amaretto? Amaretto is an almond-flavored liquor that’s made from apricot stones! The apricot pits are soaked in alcohol and sugar, making a delicious almond liqueur with a distinctive flavor.
Ingredients for This Classic Cocktail
- lemon juice
- blood orange juice
- amaretto liquor
- Bourbon
- simple syrup
- fresh ice
- Dehydrated citrus slices for garnish
You will also need a large cocktail shaker to make the perfect amaretto sour. The best part is that this recipe can be enjoyed with friends!
How to Make an Amaretto Sour
Making this blood orange cocktail is simple. Grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Add all of the ingredients and shake until the mixture is frothy. This takes about 20 seconds. Then, strain the cocktail into a glass of choice and top it with dehydrated citrus slices.
Add ice
Add blood orange juice
Add amaretto
Shake
Expert Amaretto Sour Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Juices: Whenever possible, use freshly squeezed lemon and blood orange juices for the best flavor. The natural sweetness and tanginess of fresh juices will enhance the taste of the cocktail.
- Chill Your Glass: Before making the classic sour cocktail, chill your serving glass in the freezer for a few minutes. A chilled glass keeps your drink cooler for longer and adds a nice touch to the presentation.
- Shake Vigorously: When shaking the ingredients in the cocktail shaker, be sure to shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds. This creates a frothy texture and helps to mix all the flavors together well.
- Balance the Sweetness: The amaretto liquor and simple syrup provide sweetness to the cocktail. If you prefer a sweeter drink, you can increase the amount of simple syrup.
- Conversely, if you like it less sweet, reduce the simple syrup or adjust it to your taste.
- Choose Quality Spirits: Since this cocktail has a few simple ingredients, the quality of the spirits matters. Select a good quality amaretto and bourbon to ensure a better taste in your classic amaretto sour.
- Garnish Gracefully: The dehydrated citrus slices add a lovely visual touch to the cocktail.
- You can prepare them ahead of time or simply use fresh citrus slices for a burst of color and flavor.
- Experiment with Ratios: Feel free to experiment with the ingredient ratios to suit your taste preferences. If you like it more citrusy, you can add a bit more lemon or blood orange juice. Tailor the recipe to your liking.
- Enjoy Responsibly: Remember to enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly. This cocktail may taste delightful, but moderation is key to having a good time without overindulging.
What to Serve with the Best Amaretto Sour
You honestly don’t have to serve it with anything! Mix it up and enjoy it in the evenings as you wind down. This sour drink does go well with salty bar snacks though, like a perfect charcuterie board!
Add a little lemon twist for a garnish, a maraschino cherry for color, or serve it with sweet desserts. Try a rich No Bake Cheesecake or Irish Dream Cheesecake. The flavors create a perfect balance in the glass.
FAQs
Instead of buying sweeteners at the store, try making your own simple syrup on the stove. This homemade sweet sauce will give your sour flavor of the highest class.
Serving a cocktail can be an art form. Consider using a citrus twist as an
additional garnish or rimming the glass with sugar for a touch of elegance.
Make a large batch of this delicious cocktail and share with friends, or make just enough for yourself. This will quickly be your new favorite cocktail throughout the year. That’s the great thing about this recipe, it’s a classic no matter the season. The amaretto flavor and the orange slices create a refreshing drink everyone loves.
If this is your first time making a cocktail, you won’t be disappointed. The unique flavor is one you’ll always come back for. Don’t forget the citrus garnish, it is the star of this cocktail!
Blood Orange Amaretto Sour Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 oz lemon juice
- 3 oz blood orange juice
- 2 oz amaretto liquor
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Dehydrated citrus slices for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add all the ingredients for the cocktail and shake until frothy. About 30 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into a glass and top with dehydrated citrus slices.
Notes
- Use Fresh Juices: Whenever possible, use freshly squeezed lemon and blood orange
juices for the best flavor. The natural sweetness and tanginess of fresh juices will enhance the taste of the cocktail. - Chill Your Glass: Before making the cocktail, chill your serving glass in the freezer for a few minutes. A chilled glass keeps your drink cooler for longer and adds a nice touch to the
presentation. - Shake Vigorously: When shaking the ingredients in the cocktail shaker, be sure to shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds. This creates a frothy texture and helps to mix all the flavors together.
- Balance the Sweetness: The amaretto liquor and simple syrup provide sweetness to the cocktail. If you prefer a sweeter drink, you can increase the amount of simple syrup. Conversely, if you like it less sweet, reduce the simple syrup or adjust to your taste.
- Choose Quality Spirits: Since this cocktail has a few simple ingredients, the quality of the spirits matters. Select a good quality amaretto and bourbon to ensure a better taste.
- Ice Matters: Use good quality ice that won’t dilute the drink too quickly. Large ice cubes or spheres work well to keep the cocktail cold without watering it down too fast.
- Garnish Gracefully: The dehydrated citrus slices add a lovely visual touch to the cocktail. You can prepare them ahead of time or simply use fresh citrus slices for a burst of color and flavor.
- Experiment with Ratios: Feel free to experiment with the ingredient ratios to suit your taste preferences. If you like it more citrusy, you can add a bit more lemon or blood orange juice. Tailor the recipe to your liking.
- Presentation: Serving a cocktail can be an art form. Consider using a citrus twist as an additional garnish or rimming the glass with sugar for a touch of elegance.
- Enjoy Responsibly: Remember to enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly. This cocktail may taste delightful, but moderation is key to having a good time without overindulging.
