Guide to Italian Amaretto: 5 Ways to Enjoy Amaretto Liqueur

Amaretto is an Italian liqueur made from apricot kernels, which give the liquor a distinctly bitter almond flavor. Its name comes from amaro, the Italian word for “bitter.” Sweeter notes of brown sugar temper the bitterness of the apricot pits. Amaretto contains 21–28 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and can be sipped alone or added to cocktails.

Amaretto has a bittersweet, nutty flavor, but each amaretto recipe is a little different. Amaretto may feature notes of burnt sugar and vanilla extract, depending on the brand.

According to legend, amaretto was first developed in 1525. At that time, Bernardino Luini, a student of Leonardo da Vinci, painted a fresco of the Madonna in Saronno. The innkeeper who modeled for him is said to have given Luini the first bottle of amaretto as a romantic parting gift. However, there were likely multiple amaretto recipes in existence at the time since families produced their own unique takes on flavored liqueurs.

Amaretto makers rarely reveal their secret recipes, but the beverage has the same production process as other liqueurs—flavorings are steeped in distilled liquor (such as vodka) for weeks to months, then strained out, and sweetener is added. In the case of amaretto, flavorings might include apricot kernels, bitter or sweet almonds, and warm spices like cardamom or allspice. After the aromatics are strained out, amaretto makers add sugar, often in a caramelized or burnt syrup.

You can serve and enjoy amaretto on its own, but it's also a key ingredient for classic Amaretto Sours and other cocktail recipes and desserts.

1. 1. Tiramisu: This Italian dessert of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone often includes amaretto for depth of flavor.
2. 2. Amaretti cookies: Amaretti are gluten-free Italian cookies made from almond flour, egg whites, amaretto or almond extract, and sugar. Amaretti cookies are meant to be served with a glass of amaro, a bitter aperitif made with herbs.
3. 3. Amaretto Sour: An Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail made from amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup with an orange slice and cherry garnish.
4. 4. The Godfather: The Godfather cocktail is a mixed drink featuring equal parts Scotch whisky and amaretto liqueur stirred over ice in a rocks glass.
5. 5. The French Connection: The French Connection is a classic cocktail with equal parts cognac and amaretto. Named after William Friedkin’s neo-noir film starring Gene Hackman, the French Connection is a potent brandy cocktail meant to be sipped slowly as a nightcap or after-dinner drink.

Learn more about mixology from award-winning bartenders Lynnette Marrero and Ryan Chetiyawardana. Refine your palate, explore the world of spirits, and shake up the perfect cocktail for your next gathering with the MasterClass Annual Membership.