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Amaretto Sour (by Jeffrey Morgenthaler)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (542)
Amaretto Sour (by Jeffrey Morgenthaler) image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1/2 fl oz Adriatico Amaretto Liqueur
1 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
3/4 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1/6 fl oz Demerara/Muscovado/brown sugar syrup (2 sugar to 1 water)
1/2 fl oz Egg white (pasteurised) or Fee Brothers Fee Foam cocktail foamer

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist and skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherries.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice and strain back into shaker.
  2. DRY SHAKE (without ice) to emulsify.
  3. FINE STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and discard.
  2. Garnish with skewered cherries.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Amaretto Sour (by Jeffrey Morgenthaler) contains 267 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 16.34% alc./vol. (32.67° proof)
  • 20.6 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

  • Egg white (pasteurised) — Eggs

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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History

Adapted from a recipe created in 2012 by Jeffrey Morgenthaler in Oregon, USA. Jeffrey's original formula calls for
45ml (1½oz) Amaretto
22.5ml (Âľoz) Cask-strength bourbon
30ml (1oz) Lemon juice
5ml (1 spoon) Sugar syrup (2:1)
15ml (½oz) Egg white

More cocktails by Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Review

As the name suggests, this cocktail is dominated by amaretto, with lemon juice providing the sour balancing element and a slug of bourbon giving backbone.

Cocktail of the day:

19th April 2026 is Amaretto Day

Variations/similar cocktails

Classic Amaretto Sour

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$1.52 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Comments & Discussion

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Comment removed
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
His original recipe (which, I think you missed under History above), also calls for a cask-strength bourbon, while I have used more of a standard strength bourbon.
score: 0
Bobby Mathes
The key to Jeffrey's recipe is a cask proof bourbon to give backbone to the amaretto. The higher the better IMHO so don't stop at 100-proof. 120 range is excellent.
score: 3
Henry Tran
Switch simple syrup with some cherry syrup (if you have it) such as Luxardo Maraschino Cherries, it will be more complex. Amaretto pairs well with cherry.
score: 6
Avery Garnett
Made a while ago, brilliant. Made it last night but with rye and, yup, still absolutely brilliant.
score: 5
Peter M Premium Member
Is this supposed to be brown sugar or brown sugar syrup? (Because ml/oz is an unusual way to measure brown sugar...)
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Peter. It should indeed say brown sugar syrup. Now corrected.
score: 1
Jarrett Sanner
Absolute banger
score: 4
dan huff
I made two for a side by side comparison, one with Bulleit Bourbon and one with Tincup Rye. The rye won out for me. Both are very nice. My wife preferred the traditional (no whiskey). I preferred this but with rye.
score: 3
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I love how this recipe is still spectacular with a budget amaretto like Di Amore and a serviceable, if not stellar bourbon like Evan Williams bottled-in-bond. What balance!
score: 3
Matija Prelec
Made many a batch of this over the years. Works great with a lot of spirits besides burbon.
Some notable ones are Aberlour A'bunadh, Goslings 151 and DonQ 151 (although in that case omit the sugar), and Chateau de Lacquy 12y.

Give it a spin when feeling adventurous.
score: 1
Aidan Spurrill
I didn't have any bourbon handy, so I used Busker Irish instead. Turned out very nicely.
score: 1

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Difford’s Shop logo
$1.52 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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