Whether you’re new to the world of mixology or just want to reacquaint yourself with cocktail recipes, you’ve come to the right place. Amaretto is a bittersweet Italian liqueur with a sweet vanilla and nutty almond flavor. This versatile aperitif can be enjoyed on its own, although it also goes well with dark spirits such as brandy and whisky (that’s right – no ‘e’) and white spirits like gin and vodka. It’s used in warm and cold cocktails alike and tastes great with both fruits and coffee too. Truly, it seems like there’s nothing amaretto can’t do. But in this particular amaretto cocktails collection, I’ll bring out the cocktail connoisseur in you. Get your cocktail glasses, shakers, and jiggers ready! It’s time to make your bartending dreams come true.
25 Best Amaretto Drink Recipes for Any Occasion
1. Classic Amaretto Sour
The amaretto sour is arguably the most popular cocktail that uses amaretto as its base. It’s a simple, 3-ingredient blend that combines amaretto, sweet and sour mix, and lemon-lime soda. It produces a crisp, bright, and refreshing drink with hints of nutty almond and citrus. As popular as it is today, the amaretto sour actually goes way back to the 1970s. Sadly, no one knows who to thank for this delicious drink. Pro-tip: since the amaretto sour has very few ingredients, consider using an excellent brand of amaretto for maximum flavor.
2. Amaretto Sidecar
While I may not be as fond of the sidecar as I was back in my days in university, I will forever treasure the many fun memories I had with this strong, potent drink. The Sidecar is a classic cocktail made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. It’s an undeniably strong drink, and since I no longer have the same high alcohol tolerance as I did when I was younger, this version has become my go-to recipe. I’m thinking this will also be perfect for and dads. Party responsibly, am I right? Amaretto is swapped out for cognac, giving the sidecar a delicious nutty twist and a milder punch.
3. Blood Orange Amaretto Cocktails
How I wish it were blood orange season every day. I’m such a sucker for this fruit. First of all, its color is so darn pretty, and you can never tell what it’ll be until you slice it in half. Some blood oranges have a deep, crimson red hue, while others are almost purple. Just like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re gonna get! The taste is just as special. It’s sweet, tangy, and juicy, like a cross between a grapefruit, cherries, and raspberries. And I just love how it can transform a cocktail from simple to spectacular. This cocktail – a blend of vodka, amaretto, blood orange juice, and lemon syrup – is refreshingly sweet with just the right balance of sour.
4. Amaretto Coffee
Coffee and amaretto will go down in history as one of the best flavor pairings ever. Let this amaretto coffee be Exhibit A. In this recipe, you’ll give your everyday coffee an exciting spin with a shot of amaretto. This transformation will make your regular cup of joe a cozy, warming, and holiday-worthy drink. It also couldn’t be simpler. Just spike freshly brewed coffee with amaretto and finish it off with a dollop of whipped cream. What a perfect way to start your weekend!
5. Amaretto Aloha Cocktail
Sail through Hawaii and feel the ocean breeze with the amaretto aloha. One sip of this cocktail will make you go ooh la la! A mix of pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and amaretto, this light and refreshing cocktail will whisk you away to the tropics in an instant. This is the kind of drink that goes down easy, so don’t be surprised if you have a few too many. Honestly, though, it’s worth the hangover.
6. Coconut Amaretto Cocktail
If you like anything that has coconut in it, well, then, this drink will get you hooked. In this cocktail, coconut cream, rum, and water team up with amaretto and tangelo to create an unbelievably refreshing treat. Just a disclaimer, though: there are several little-known ingredients on this list, including orgeat syrup and tangelo. You can find these at specialty stores, but don’t worry, you can easily swap them out for more common pantry ingredients. The resulting drink will be just as phenomenal.
7. Sweet and Sour Amaretto Orange Cocktail
Sweet and sour flavors combine to produce a taste bud-tingling experience. This recipe is a fun, citrus twist on the classic amaretto sour! Just like a traditional amaretto sour, this drink involved amaretto and sweet and sour mix. But instead of lemon-lime soda, orange juice is added to the mix. The resulting cocktail is a bright and zesty treat that’s as tasty as you imagined it to be. It’s a super quick and easy recipe, to boot. Simply shake it up, pour it down, and sip away.
8. Amaretto Julep
This amaretto julep is the love child of a Godfather and mint julep. It’s just as easy to make as both cocktails, but so much more enjoyable, in my opinion. A Mint Julep is a cold and refreshing blend of bourbon, mint, sugar, and ice served in a frosty cup. A Godfather, on the other hand, is an old-fashioned mix of scotch and amaretto. This mash-up combines bourbon, amaretto, bitters, and mint. It seems like an odd combination, but surprisingly, it works. It turns out, the sweetness and nuttiness from the amaretto pairs beautifully with bourbon. A splash of cardamom bitters offsets the bitterness and offers some spice and fragrant floral notes as well.
9. Eggnog Amaretto Cocktail
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way is there to get in the holiday spirit than with a glass of eggnog? Spike your eggnog with a splash of amaretto to make it even more fun and festive. You can even sprinkle it with nutmeg and rim the glass with cinnamon sugar for some extra holiday cheer. These may be simple additions, but they make a big difference. Just be sure to keep this spiked version away from the kids!
10. Strawberry Amaretto Smash
Fresh strawberries and nutty roasted almonds join together to make a refreshing drink. This cocktail is what summer dreams are made of. It may look like it’s overwhelmingly sweet, but don’t be fooled. With a perfect blend of simple syrup, lemon juice, amaretto, and rum, this cocktail has just the right balance of flavors. It’s wonderfully sweet, mildly sour, and bursting with a sweet strawberry aroma and flavor. It’s garnished with mint sprigs, as well, to make it even more refreshing as ever.
11. Very Cherry Amaretto Sour
Cherry juice and grenadine add extra depth and flavor to the classic amaretto sour. If you’re not too fond of the rather sour amaretto sour, then you might find this version more enjoyable. We all know almonds and cherries are a tried and trusted combination, so it only makes sense to combine these two in a cocktail. A splash of grenadine is also thrown into the mix to counterbalance the sharp sour flavor of the cherry syrup and sweet and sour mix. Together, they’re a perfect combination.
12. Dirty Dr. Pepper Cocktail
The Dirty Dr. Pepper tastes like a delicious, booze-infused Dr. Pepper, only, it doesn’t contain Dr. Pepper. Surprised? Me too. The Dirty Dr. Pepper cocktail contains amaretto, cinnamon alcohol, and… wait for it… Coca-Cola. It’s an ironic name, for sure, but to be fair, the resulting cocktail does taste similarly to Dr. Pepper. But don’t take my word for it. Try it and let me know if you agree. Pro-tip: If you want a stronger version, use a mix of Coke and beer.
13. Italian Margarita
Give your Mexican margarita an Italian twist with just a splash of amaretto! Trust me, the flavor combination is out-of-this-world delightful. In this version of the classic margarita, tequila and lime juice are mixed with orange juice (instead of triple sec) and amaretto to make the perfect blend. It’s sweeter than regular margaritas, and also has a nice hint of roasted almond flavor. Italy and Mexico, for the win.
14. Nilla Wafer Martini
The Nilla Wafer martini is exactly what you’d expect it to be: delicious Nilla wafers in cocktail form. The cocktail has a wonderful combination of vanilla and amaretto, which it gets from vanilla vodka and amaretto. There are no other components besides these two, so the flavors from both ingredients really shine through. While considered a dessert cocktail, it’s not overpoweringly sweet. Rather, it’s a mild and delightful pre-dinner aperitif or a post-meal palate cleanser.
15. Godfather Cocktail
The Godfather is a sweet and sophisticated cocktail you can’t refuse. It’s a mix of scotch whisky and amaretto served on the rocks. As simple as it is, it has a wonderful sweet almond and smoky whisky flavor combination that’s truly impossible to say no to. Did you know how this cocktail got its name? Apparently, it’s the favorite drink of Marlon Brando, who we all know played the role of Don Corleone in The Godfather films.
16. The Godmother
If you’re more of a vodka person, then try the Godmother instead. This spin-off to the classic Godfather uses a blend of vodka (instead of scotch whisky) and amaretto. Naturally, it has a similarly sweet, roasted almond flavor. But instead of the smoky undertones from whisky, you’ll get subtle notes of citrus and spice from the vodka.
17. Amaretto by Morning
Say hello to what could possibly be your newest favorite brunch companion! If you’re getting bored with the usual mimosas and sangrias, the amaretto by morning is a must-try. Amaretto by morning is made of amaretto, apple juice, and frozen peaches. It may seem like an unusual combination, but the result is nothing short of perfection. What an easy recipe it is, as well. Just pulse all three ingredients in a blender to get this incredibly fruity, nutty, and refreshing cocktail.
18. Amaretto Cranberry Kiss
If you enjoy the Cape Cod cocktail – a mix of vodka and cranberry juice, then you’ll definitely love the amaretto cranberry kiss. Combining the flavors of amaretto, cranberry juice, and fresh orange juice, this cocktail couldn’t be more flavorful. You’ll get subtle notes of sweet roasted almond goodness from the amaretto, tartness from the cranberry, and a bright and citrusy flavor from the orange juice. Each element has something wonderful to offer, and together, they create a beautiful flavor harmony.
19. Amaretto Stinger
The amaretto stinger is a blend of white creme de menthe and amaretto. It’s a nutty spin to the classic stinger, which is a combination of creme de menthe and brandy. The cocktail goes all the way back into the 1890s and remained widely known until the 1970s. It was most popular during the American Prohibition since creme de menthe could greatly disguise the flavor of low-quality brandys available during the period.
20. Apricot Amaretto Cocktail
Did you know that certain amarettos derive their nutty flavor from apricot pits? No wonder mixing the two together make such fantastic flavor! Don’t believe me? Let this cocktail be the proof. Made from a blend of fresh apricots, amaretto, lemon juice, sugar, and oregano, this cocktail is truly one of a kind. Pro-tip: Let the mixture sit for at least 2 hours for the flavors to marry.
21. Amaretto Sunrise
I think we can all agree that this cocktail is almost too pretty to drink. But don’t let that stop you from taking a sip… you know… once you’ve taken the pics. The amaretto sunrise is a blend of amaretto, peach nectar, peach schnapps, and grenadine. Think classic tequila sunrise, but with a nutty almond twist. The source of alcohol may differ, but the amaretto sunrise still boasts of that beautiful, 2-toned, sunrise hue.
22. Snowball
Calling all dessert-lovers: this recipe is for you. How can anyone resist the charm of this stunning, snowy cocktail? It looks so dainty and decadent in its all-white gloriousness. The torched marshmallow sitting on top is absolutely phenomenal. A thick and creamy blend of amaretto, vanilla ice cream, and milk, this is the ultimate milkshake for adults. While it may be for grown-ups, though, trust that one sip will bring out the kid in you.
23. Banana Amaretto Cocktail
Bananas, coffee, booze, and almonds join forces to make a delicious frozen drink. The banana and amaretto cocktail is a creamy drink made of Bailey’s Irish Creme, banana liqueur, amaretto, double cream, milk, and a dash of cinnamon to boot. How delectable is that? I’m already drooling just thinking about it. It makes me want the weekend to come even sooner.
24. Amaretto Orange Margarita
Margarita, but make it orange! Trust me, you’ll love the fun and festive spin the amaretto and orange juice combo adds to the classic margarita. The sweet, nutty flavor of the amaretto plus the bright, citrusy goodness of the orange juice adds a magical twist to your margarita.
25. Bocce Ball
With this bright and beautiful bocce ball, it’s happy hour, indeed. Vodka, amaretto, orange juice, and soda water unite to create this refreshing summer drink. The combination of almonds and citrus creates playful flavors, while the splash of soda water adds a nice, bubbly twist. Together, they make the drink uniquely delicious. Click on a star to rate it!
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