All About the Amaretto Sour
The Amaretto Sour is a timeless cocktail classic that has been loved by cocktail enthusiasts for decades. The combination of the sweet, nutty taste of amaretto with fresh lemon juice and a silky foam layer makes this cocktail irresistible. It's the perfect balance of sweet and sour — and with Nomuss Sour Mix, you can make it in an instant.
The history of the Amaretto Sour
The Amaretto Sour originated in the 1970s in the United States, when amaretto — an Italian almond liqueur — became enormously popular. The original version was simple: amaretto with lemon juice. Unfortunately, in the 80s and 90s, the cocktail was often made too sweet with cheap sour mix from a bottle, earning it a bad reputation. Fortunately, in 2012, bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler brought the Amaretto Sour back to its glory with a revamped version: the right proportions, fresh lemon juice, and egg white for that characteristic foam layer. Since then, the Amaretto Sour has once again graced cocktail menus in the best bars around the world.
Tips for the perfect Amaretto Sour
Want to make an Amaretto Sour at home that tastes like it came from a top bar? Pay attention to these details:
- Choose a good amaretto — Disaronno is the best known, but there are also artisanal alternatives. A good amaretto makes all the difference.
- Shake long and hard — The egg white needs at least 20 seconds of vigorous shaking to form that creamy, thick foam layer.
- Use a tumbler glass — The Amaretto Sour is traditionally served in a low, wide glass (old fashioned glass) with ice cubes.
- No egg white? Use Nomuss Foam Drops — A few drops in your shaker and you'll get the same creamy foam layer, without egg white. Vegan, allergen-free, and much easier.
Variations on the Amaretto Sour
The classic Amaretto Sour is delicious, but there are also fun variations to try:
- Amaretto Sour with bourbon — Add 2 cl of bourbon for more depth and a slightly smoky flavor. This is the version that Jeffrey Morgenthaler made famous.
- Frozen Amaretto Sour — Blend all ingredients with crushed ice for a refreshing summer cocktail.
- Amaretto Sour with amarena cherries — Garnish with a few amarena cherries instead of orange zest for an extra Italian touch.
- Mocktail version — Replace the amaretto with almond syrup and add extra Nomuss Sour Mix. Use Nomuss Foam Drops for the foam layer.
When to serve an Amaretto Sour?
The Amaretto Sour is a versatile cocktail that suits many occasions:
- Dinner party — As an aperitif or dessert cocktail — the sweet, nutty flavor pairs perfectly after a meal.
- Autumn and winter drinks — The warm almond flavor makes it an ideal cocktail for the colder months.
- Parties — Make a large batch in a pitcher for your guests. The Amaretto Sour is a crowd-pleaser that almost everyone likes.
- Casual Friday night — A bartender-level cocktail in 2 minutes, right at home.
Why Nomuss Sour Mix?
With Nomuss Sour Mix, you can make a perfect Amaretto Sour in seconds. The mix is made from 100% fresh juices, cane sugar, and natural flavors — no artificial additives. Just the mix and amaretto in the shaker, add egg white, shake, and done. One bottle is good for about 15 cocktails. In addition to the Amaretto Sour, you can also make a Whiskey Sour or other sour cocktails with the same mix.
