Amaretto Whiskey Sour

This amaretto whiskey sour combines the best of these two classic cocktails! The blend of two liquors makes a perfectly balanced drink.

Love a good whiskey sour and amaretto sour? Here’s the next best thing: combine them and make an Amaretto Whiskey Sour! Yes, this drink uses equal parts of these two liquors to make something new and altogether delicious. We’re huge fans of both drinks around here, and this one is notable. It’s even more balanced in flavor, making magic with the nuttiness of the amaretto with the spicy vanilla notes of the bourbon. If you’re a sour fan: hold onto your hats!

What’s in an amaretto whiskey sour?

This Amaretto Whiskey Sour is a combination of two classic drinks. The Whiskey Sour is an iconic drink that goes back centuries: the earliest mention of the drink was in the 1870’s! It’s on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning it has an official definition. The Amaretto Sour is a very popular spin on the whiskey sour using Italian amaretto liqueur. This recipe simply increases the quantity of bourbon from our amaretto sour to make an entirely new drink! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Amaretto (Italian almond liqueur)
• Bourbon whiskey
• Lemon juice
• Simple syrup or maple syrup
• Egg white (optional)

Egg white is optional, but classic

Now, you don’t have to make an amaretto whiskey sour with an egg white: but we highly recommend it! Bartenders have been adding egg whites to cocktails since the 1860’s. The texture and flavor that an egg white adds can’t be beat! Why? Two things; an egg white adds:

• Frothy texture to the surface of the drink, making it more fun to drink
• A creamy rich flavor, making it taste more delicious

If you’re worried about the safety of raw egg whites in cocktails, the risk of salmonella is very low. In fact: melons, salad, and peanuts, have more of a threat for salmonella than eggs! Here’s how to safely store and use eggs to minimize risk (via Food & Wine).

How to make an amaretto whiskey sour (basic steps)

The amaretto whiskey sour is just as easy as either of the two sour cocktails of its namesake. Here’s what to do:

1. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds without ice.
2. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a glass and garnish. Voila!

The technique above is a called a Dry Shake. The dry shake agitates the egg white in the cocktail shaker so that it forms the beautifully frothy foam topping. If you’re not using an egg white, you can skip the shaking without ice and just shake it up like a normal cocktail.

More about amaretto

Amaretto is an almond liqueur that originates from Italy. It tastes both sweet and bitter (amaretto means in Italian “little bitter”). You may know the flavor from the popular amaretto cookies, a popular Italian sweet. It’s worth getting a bottle for your shelf: you can try more amaretto cocktails like the Italian Margarita, Godfather, Toasted Almond, or French Connection.

Best whiskey for an amaretto whiskey sour

You can use any type of whiskey for an amaretto whiskey sour! We prefer it with bourbon, but anything works! Our mantra is that a drink is only as high quality as the liquor. Try for something in the mid-priced range. However in this case, amaretto does help to cover over a sub-par whiskey: so it’s a drink where liquor quality is less important (versus something like an Old Fashioned).

• Bourbon: Our top pick! The sweet flavor of bourbon whiskey is ideal
• Jameson Irish whiskey: Jameson is very mild and makes for an even more balanced drink
• Rye whiskey: If you’re a whiskey fan, you’ll enjoy the spicy finish of rye whiskey

Love sour cocktails?

There are so many ways to drink a sour: just vary the liquor! Here are some favorites:

• Try a classic Boston Sour or Whiskey Sour with Egg White
• Float wine on top for a New York Sour
• Vary the liquor with a Tequila Sour, Vodka Sour or Gin Sour
• Opt for the Peruvian Pisco Sour
• Add OJ for an Amaretto Stone Sour
• Use Irish whiskey for a Jameson whiskey sour
• Try it with lime juice for a Whiskey Sour with Lime
• Make a big pitcher with Whiskey Sour Mix

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