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

Amaretto whiskey sour

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)
Amaretto whiskey sour

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.

Amaretto

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 MargaritaGodfatherToasted 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
Amaretto whiskey sour

Love sour cocktails?

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

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Amaretto whiskey sour

Amaretto Whiskey Sour


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x

Description

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


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) amaretto
  • 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) bourbon whiskey
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon juice
  • ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) simple syrup 
  • 1 egg white (optional)
  • For the garnish: Cocktail cherry or Luxardo cherry

Instructions

  1. Add the amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, syrup, egg white, and to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds (skip this first step if you’re not using the egg white).
  2. Add the ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake again for 30 seconds.
  3. Strain the drink into a glass; the foam will collect at the top. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktail
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Amaretto whiskey sour

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

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6 Comments

  1. Yum, looks so good! I’ve been dying to try something like this after being introduced to the Godfather. I am not much of a drinker so I don’t get all the differences between Bourbon, Whiskey, etc. I have a few different whiskeys in my liquor cabinet – Canadian Club 12 years, J&B, Wild Turkey, Crown Royal. Will any of these work?
    Also, does the egg white make it more healthy? Kind of like a protein drink, LOL? Plus there’s the vitamin C from the lemon juice. Maybe this could replace my morning smoothie.

    1. Haha! I wish. The egg alters the flavor a tad and provides the foamy top. My dad prefers Crown Royal for a whiskey sour and I’d go with the Wild Turkey.

      Enjoy!

  2. The amaretto sour recipe is delicious!! Perfect blend of sweet & sour. I used Jameson since I didn’t have bourbon, but next time…