The Amaretto Sour: A Complete History & Modern Classic Recipe

Rich, tangy, and unexpectedly elegant, the Amaretto Sour has undergone one of the most dramatic makeovers in modern cocktail history. Once dismissed as a syrupy ’80s relic, it’s now a benchmark of balance and technique, thanks to a modern revival that turned sweetness into sophistication.

Blending amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, and egg white, the contemporary Amaretto Sour is a masterclass in contrast — nutty yet bright, silky yet sharp. It’s a cocktail that bridges generations: nostalgia meets craft.

I. Origins

The Amaretto Sour emerged during the cocktail culture of the 1970s, an era that loved its drinks simple, sweet, and accessible.

The star ingredient, amaretto, is an Italian almond (or apricot kernel) liqueur with a rich, marzipan-like sweetness. It originated in Saronno, Italy, with Disaronno leading the charge in global popularity.

When bartenders began combining it with lemon juice, the result was charming but cloyingly sweet — especially as proportions drifted toward a 2:1 or even 3:1 amaretto-to-lemon ratio. The original was pleasant but lacked structure.

Still, the Amaretto Sour became an icon of its time — simple, fragrant, and approachable, but destined for reinvention.

II. Historical Evolution

1970s–1980s – The Sweet Era

The earliest popular recipes called for 2 oz amaretto and a splash of lemon juice (or worse, bottled sour mix). The drink became a mainstay at suburban bars and dinner parties but lacked balance.

It was beloved by casual drinkers, but bartenders and critics largely ignored it — a sugary comfort drink without complexity.

2000s – The Craft Cocktail Renaissance

As the craft cocktail movement reignited respect for balance and fresh citrus, bartenders revisited maligned classics.

Enter Jeffrey Morgenthaler, the Portland bartender often credited with saving the Amaretto Sour. In 2012, he published his updated spec — adding bourbon for structure and egg white for texture, transforming the drink into a modern masterpiece.

Morgenthaler’s version restored the drink’s dignity: tart, frothy, complex, and deeply satisfying — a perfect example of how thoughtful adjustment can rescue a recipe from mediocrity.

Today – The Refined Revival

Now, the Amaretto Sour stands proudly alongside the Whiskey Sour, Daiquiri, and Clover Club as a must-know for any serious bartender.

The modern version balances nostalgia and nuance — proof that even the most maligned drinks can be redeemed through craft and care.

III. Ingredients & Technique

A proper Amaretto Sour demands precision and freshness. Its sweetness must be tamed, its acidity sharpened, and its texture elevated.

Core Components

• Amaretto: The sweet, nutty base — Disaronno or Lazzaroni preferred.

• Bourbon: Adds backbone and complexity.

• Lemon Juice: Brings structure and brightness.

• Simple Syrup: Optional fine-tuning of balance.

• Egg White: Creates luxurious texture and foam.

The Modern Ratio (Jeffrey Morgenthaler, 2012)

• 1.5 oz (45 ml) amaretto

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) bourbon

• 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice

• 0.25 oz (7 ml) simple syrup (optional, adjust to sweetness)

• 0.5 oz (15 ml) egg white (or aquafaba for vegan alternative)

IV. Cultural Significance

The Amaretto Sour is a redemption story — a drink once written off as kitsch that’s become a symbol of modern mixology’s humility and creativity.

It represents the best of the cocktail renaissance ethos: don’t discard the past — refine it.

Culturally, the Amaretto Sour bridges generations. For those who remember its heyday, it’s nostalgic; for today’s drinkers, it’s a revelation. Its new form reflects the evolution of taste itself — from excess to balance, from sweetness to sophistication.

It’s also one of the most approachable “gateway” craft cocktails, introducing new drinkers to the art of fresh citrus, structure, and foam.

V. How to Make the Modern Classic Version

Recipe — The Modern Amaretto Sour

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz (45 ml) amaretto liqueur (Disaronno recommended)

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) bourbon (e.g., Buffalo Trace, Elijah Craig, or Four Roses)

• 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice

• 0.25 oz (7 ml) simple syrup (optional, to taste)

• 0.5 oz (15 ml) egg white or aquafaba

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice (dry shake) for 10–15 seconds.

2. Add ice and shake again until well chilled and frothy.

3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

4. Garnish with a lemon peel, expressed and placed, or a few drops of bitters artfully atop the foam.

Specs

• Glass: Rocks glass

• Ice: Cubed or large cube

• Garnish: Lemon peel or bitters drops

• Style: Modern sour

Technique Notes

• Dry shake first to emulsify the egg white and create the signature creamy foam.

• Taste before serving — amaretto brands vary in sweetness; a touch of syrup or a few extra drops of lemon may be needed.

• Bourbon is the secret weapon — it anchors the drink with oak and spice, keeping the sweetness in check.

Variations & Lineage

• Almond Whiskey Sour: Equal parts bourbon and amaretto for a drier take.

• Toasted Sour: Add a dash of Angostura or cinnamon bitters.

• Smoky Sour: Substitute a peated Scotch for bourbon.

• Amaretto Flip: Add a whole egg for a richer, dessert-like experience.

Service & Pairing Tip

• Ideal as a dessert aperitif or after-dinner treat.

• Pairs beautifully with almond biscotti, citrus tart, or dark chocolate.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

The modern Amaretto Sour is a symbol of redemption and reinvention — proof that a drink’s reputation can change with a single, well-placed idea.

Bartenders continue to riff on Morgenthaler’s blueprint:

• Some replace bourbon with rye for a drier, spicier profile.

• Others swap amaretto for hazelnut or pistachio liqueur.

• A few adventurous bars add acid-adjusted pineapple or oleo-saccharum for depth.

But every iteration pays homage to the 2012 revival — one of the great success stories of cocktail modernism.

Today, the Amaretto Sour sits comfortably among the world’s most balanced modern classics — a shining example of how sweetness, acidity, and texture can sing in perfect harmony.