With the zing of citrus and soft flavor of almond, the Amaretto Stone Sour is the perfect cocktail for those relaxing and lazy afternoons.
It’s one of those warm, lazy and hazy days. Could be late Spring, or even late Summer. Whatever time of year, it’s a perfect day, and you’re in the mood for… well, what exactly are you in the mood for? The waves are softly crashing just a few hundred feet away off the beach while the sun begins to disappear behind the horizon, turning the sky into a deep and gentle orange fire. The string lights above the nearby outdoor bar are starting to glow, a few of them twinkling and blinking a little, until catching completely. You decide that the best place to figure out exactly what you’re in the mood for is there.
Sidling up to the modestly occupied beach bar, you greet the sauce slinger with an indifferent “I don’t know what I want. Surprise me.” With a cocked eyebrow and slight grin, the barkeep turns and begins to work their magic, knowing exactly what you need on this balmy evening. They’ve done this a few times before. As you watch the sky’s embers fade to an endless darkness, an icy and orange rocks glass slides across the bar and gently rests next to your waiting hand. You nod to its mixer, admiring the deep golden hue your cocktail has.
That first sip is divine. In fact, you drink a little deeper with this beverage than you usually do with others. A citrusy and refreshing burst of flavor hits your tongue, with dashes of almond. The bittersweet aftertaste is smooth and keeps you coming back for more selfish, albeit, refined guzzles.
You slam the glass onto the bar with a thunderous and joyful bang. The barkeep nods their head knowingly. Before you have the chance to ask what that cocktail was and order a second, another Amaretto Stone Sour is waiting for you. You’ll be tipping well tonight, in more ways than one.
What is the difference between a Sour & a Stone Sour?
An Amaretto Sour and an Amaretto Stone Sour are very close in name and recipe. They’re family, if you will. A Sour will have the Amaretto, lime and lemon juices, simple syrup and lemon/lime soda. Often times, this drink is also made with bourbon and egg white for a frothy finish. The Stone Sour is also Amaretto, lemon and lime juices, and simple syrup, but uses orange juice instead of soda.
What is the Best Amaretto to Use in an Amaretto Stone Sour?
The famous bittersweet liqueur that boasts flavors of marzipan, vanilla and apricot has been a mainstay in many a cocktail since its inception in 1525. When in doubt, choose a more well-known Italian brand to ensure an exquisite experience.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces amaretto liqueur
- 1 1/2 ounces orange juice
- 1 1/2 ounces homemade sour mix
- Garnish: maraschino cherry
- Garnish: orange slice
Instructions
- In a shaker, combine the amaretto liqueur, orange juice, and homemade sour mix.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the mixture is well-chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice to add a pop of color and a hint of citrus aroma.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Here’s something I’d like to remind everyone about, because this same thing happened to me over the weekend. When shaking your cocktail up to make it cold, please make sure that you have it clasped shut tightly, with one hand on the top and one on the bottom. If not, your mixture might very well splash all over the place. You’ll be spending your cocktail hour cleaning up the mess if you’re not careful.
A rocks glass is a good way to enjoy this drink, and you can even have one in a highball or Collins glass to keep your ice frozen longer. For garnish, an orange slice and maraschino cherry add a nice splash of orange/red color atop your tipple.
If you need to, you can pour the ingredients together and pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or so before serving. When ready, shake over ice and pour.
For such a sweet and smooth cocktail, the calorie count is a mere 150. Enjoy a few, and don’t worry so much about your waistband this evening. Hit the gym tomorrow, and enjoy yourself today.
It’s very easy! I like to make my simple syrup at home, using equal parts water and sugar, and a sour mix just adds equal parts freshly squeezed lemon juice and half part lime juice. Bring to a boil until the mixture is dissolved and store in a sealable bottle or jar. Boom, homemade sour mix!
The drink is served on the rocks, which, as we all know, means ice cubes. If you get your drink with actual stones in it, you might be at a Flintstones-themed establishment.
Similar Cocktails to the Amaretto Stone Sour
You’ve had a few of Amaretto Stone Sours and are ready for some more, deliciously alike libations? Or, in other words, you want another drink that tastes close to what you just had? Check out a few of these cocktails, courtesy of Twist & Toast:
- Blood Orange Amaretto – Go bloodier for a red and robust citrusy drink.
- Italian Margarita – Tequila and amaretto come together in this Mediterranean and Mexican inspired cocktail.
- Frozen Ginger Peach Bellinis – Peaches and oranges liqueur meld wonderfully in this tasty, summer favorite.
- Jingle Juice Holiday Punch – Amaretto comes home for the holidays in this festive and fizzy concoction.
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