The 1970s witnessed the popularity of several famous cocktails, including the amaretto sour. This cocktail, embodying a sweet and slightly nutty flavor, has made a comeback over the last decade. It is ideal for those who prefer sweet and almond flavors.
The recipe for an amaretto sour is basic, comprising a sweet ingredient, the amaretto, and a sour one, typically lemon juice. The drink can be further sweetened with simple syrup, made stronger with a more potent liquor like whiskey, or given a smooth texture and feel with egg white.
The traditional garnish for this cocktail is a lemon wheel enclosing a maraschino cherry. However, you can switch it up and use brandied cherries and a lemon wheel for garnish.
Amaretto, a crucial component of this cocktail, is an Italian liqueur that became popular in the U.S. in the 1970s, although it has a history of centuries in Italy. It features a sweet, sugary almond flavor, its name meaning ‘a little bitter’ in Italian. There are several brands of amaretto in Italy, but only a few available in the U.S., including Disaronno, Luxardo, and Gozio.
Amaretto has a distinctive flavor of burnt sugar and almond. Interestingly, it’s not the sweet almond flavor we’re accustomed to, but rather that of bitter almonds. The liquor’s makers sometimes use stone fruit seeds, mainly from apricots, which taste like bitter almonds.
Since the 1990s, bartenders have recognized the versatility of egg whites, adding them to cocktails for body and texture. While optional, an egg white offers a nice feel and a silky top, all without the unpleasant taste of egg.
If concerns over salmonella arise, use pasteurized egg whites sold in cartons, typically found near the eggs in grocery stores. Alternatives for those seeking egg substitutes include aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, which when shaken, has a texture similar to that of egg whites.
The modern variation of the amaretto sour introduces cask-strength bourbon into the mix, alongside egg whites and simple syrup. This twist was ushered in during the cocktail renaissance of the early 2010s.
That said, there are also non-alcoholic versions of the amaretto sour that are just as flavorful and complex as the original. The cocktail is versatile and can be customized to fit each individual’s taste preference, including sweeter or stronger variations.
