This amaretto bitter recipe is an up to date tackle the basic cocktail. Straightforward to make with 5 elements, it is nutty and vibrant, with a scrumptious foamy high.

This amaretto bitter recipe is frothy, nutty, and vibrant. Straightforward to make with simply 5 elements, it’s such a festive cocktail for Christmas or New 12 months’s Eve. The amaretto’s almond notes remind me of marzipan (or the almond extract I take advantage of in a lot of my favourite Christmas cookies). It feels good for the season.

After I was in school, I had a very good pal who all the time ordered an amaretto bitter once we went out. The primary time I attempted one was together with her. I bear in mind liking the nutty taste however considering it was too candy for me.
I just lately discovered that there was a purpose for that: the amaretto bitter has developed fairly a bit over time. Initially developed within the Seventies, it consisted of simply amaretto (an Italian almond-flavored liqueur), somewhat sugar, and lemon juice.
However as time went on, industrial bitter combine changed the lemon juice, typically with a splash of lemon lime soda too. No marvel I discovered my first amaretto bitter too candy!
In 2012, Portland bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler gave this cocktail a refresh, nixing the bitter combine in favor of contemporary lemon juice and including cask-aged bourbon, wealthy easy syrup, and egg white to stability the drink.
Amaretto Bitter Substances
This amaretto bitter recipe relies on his. As a substitute of being overly candy, it’s wealthy and nutty. Right here’s what you’ll must make it:
- Amaretto, in fact! Amaretto is a candy Italian liqueur that’s made with apricot stones or bitter almonds. It has a nutty taste with notes of cherry and vanilla.
- Bourbon – The bourbon cuts the sweetness of the amaretto, including oaky notes to this drink. Morgenthaler recommends utilizing a higher-proof bourbon, however we usually use no matter we’ve available and all the time love the outcomes. Our go-to manufacturers are Bulleit and Woodford Reserve.
- Recent lemon juice – It provides acidity. Use freshly squeezed for the perfect vibrant taste!
- Maple syrup – My sweetener of alternative on this drink. I believe the maple taste pairs superbly with the almond-y amaretto. Should you don’t have it available, you’ll be able to substitute easy syrup as a substitute.
- Egg white – It makes the cocktail wealthy and frothy.
Garnish your glass with a cocktail cherry and lemon twist!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.

The best way to Make an Amaretto Bitter
I make this amaretto bitter cocktail in the identical method I make a whiskey bitter:
- Step 1: Dry Shake. A dry shake is if you shake the cocktail elements with out ice. This step incorporates the egg white into the drink, creating its thick texture and foamy high.
- Step 2: Add ice. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake till chilled.
- Step 3: Pressure and serve. Pressure the cocktail right into a glass (I take advantage of a rocks glass) crammed with ice. Garnish with a cocktail cherry and lemon twist and serve!
Topped with a thick layer of froth, this cocktail feels so elegant and spectacular. Jack and I really like making it for vacation celebrations or cozy winter date nights at residence. I hope you take pleasure in it too!
Extra Cocktail Recipes to Attempt
Should you love this amaretto bitter recipe, strive certainly one of these basic cocktails subsequent:

Amaretto Bitter
Serves 1
This amaretto bitter cocktail is frothy, nutty, and vibrant. Straightforward to make with 5 elements, it is certainly one of our favourite cocktails to make through the vacation season and all through the winter.
- 1½ ounces amaretto liqueur
- 1 ounce contemporary lemon juice
- ¾ ounce bourbon
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ ounce egg white*
- Ice
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Stop your display screen from going darkish
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Place the amaretto, lemon juice, bourbon, maple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds to include the egg white, then add ice and shake till effectively chilled.
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Pressure right into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and lemon twist and serve.
*Consuming uncooked egg white poses a small threat of sickness.
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