This Blood Orange Amaretto Sour is a crowd-pleasing cocktail that balances the almond notes of amaretto with bright citrus. It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients and a shaker, and the addition of blood orange gives the drink a vivid color and refreshing twist.
Like other sour-style drinks such as a Limoncello Spritz or a Garibaldi, this Amaretto Sour features fresh citrus and a hint of sweetness—ideal for warm weather or any time you want something lighter than a glass of wine. Serve in chilled glasses for best results and garnish with a citrus slice for extra flair.
What is an Amaretto Sour?
An Amaretto Sour is a classic cocktail built around amaretto liqueur, citrus juice, and a sweetener, often with a splash of a base spirit like bourbon to add depth. Origins are debated—some trace it to the United States during amaretto’s rise in popularity, while others link it to Italy where almond-flavored liqueurs are traditional. Either way, it’s a simple, flavorful drink.
Amaretto itself is an almond-flavored liqueur often made by infusing alcohol and sugar with apricot kernels or similar stones, producing a sweet, nutty profile that pairs well with bright citrus.
Ingredients for This Classic Cocktail
- Lemon juice
- Blood orange juice
- Amaretto liqueur
- Bourbon
- Simple syrup
- Ice
- Dehydrated citrus slices or fresh citrus for garnish
You’ll need a cocktail shaker and a strainer. This recipe scales easily if you want to make multiple servings for a gathering.
How to Make an Amaretto Sour
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add all ingredients, and shake until frothy—about 20–30 seconds. Strain into your preferred glass over fresh ice or serve up in a chilled coupe. Finish with a dehydrated or fresh citrus slice for a bright presentation.
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Add ice. -
Add lemon juice. -
Add blood orange juice. -
Add simple syrup. -
Add amaretto, cover and shake.
Expert Amaretto Sour Recipe Tips and Tricks
Use fresh juices: Freshly squeezed lemon and blood orange juice give the brightest, cleanest flavor and natural balance between sweet and tart.
Chill your glass: Pop serving glasses in the freezer for a few minutes so the cocktail stays colder longer and looks more polished.
Shake well: Vigorous shaking for about 30 seconds creates a frothy texture and fully blends the flavors.
Adjust sweetness: Amaretto and simple syrup add sweetness. Increase or decrease simple syrup to suit your taste.
Choose quality spirits: With few ingredients, good amaretto and bourbon make a noticeable difference.
Garnish thoughtfully: Dehydrated citrus slices add visual appeal and a subtle aroma; fresh slices or a lemon twist also work nicely.
Experiment with ratios: If you prefer a tarter drink, add more lemon or blood orange juice; for a richer profile, increase the bourbon slightly.
Enjoy responsibly: Sip and savor; drink in moderation.
What to Serve with the Best Amaretto Sour
This cocktail can stand alone as an evening sipper, but it pairs nicely with salty bar snacks or a well-made charcuterie board. For dessert pairings, the nutty amaretto harmonizes with creamy sweets like a no-bake cheesecake or other light, fruity desserts.
FAQs
Yes. Homemade simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves, then cooled) gives a clean sweetness that blends well with the citrus and amaretto.
Garnish is optional but adds aroma, color, and presentation. A citrus twist, dehydrated slice, or maraschino cherry are all appropriate choices.
More cocktail recipes to enjoy:
If you enjoy this blood orange variation, try other sours and spritz-style drinks that highlight fresh citrus. Make a single serving or scale the recipe to serve a group—either way, the balance of amaretto and citrus makes this a year-round favorite.
First-time cocktail makers will find this recipe approachable: simple steps, straightforward ingredients, and a reliably delicious result. Don’t skip the citrus garnish—its aroma and color elevate the finished drink.
Blood Orange Amaretto Sour Cocktail
Italian
Ingredients
- 3 oz lemon juice
- 3 oz blood orange juice
- 2 oz amaretto liqueur
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Dehydrated citrus slices – for garnish
Instructions
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Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
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Add all ingredients and shake until frothy, about 30 seconds.
-
Strain into a glass and top with dehydrated citrus slices.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon and blood orange juice when possible for the best balance of sweet and tart.
- Chill serving glasses ahead of time to keep the cocktail colder longer.
- Shake vigorously to create a pleasing froth and fully integrate the flavors.
- Adjust simple syrup to taste if you prefer a sweeter or drier cocktail.
- Choose good-quality amaretto and bourbon since the recipe is simple and the spirits shine through.
- Use large ice cubes or quality ice to limit dilution.
- Garnish with dehydrated or fresh citrus slices for aroma and color.
- Experiment with ratios to make the cocktail more citrus-forward or spirit-forward as you prefer.
- Consider a lemon twist or sugared rim for an elegant presentation.
- Enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 54g
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Protein: 1g
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on exact ingredients used.
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