Improved Amaretto Sour

The Improved Amaretto Sour elevates a once-maligned cocktail into a modern masterpiece. By adding cask-strength bourbon, the recipe cuts through the sweetness of the amaretto liqueur, providing backbone and complexity. The inclusion of fresh lemon juice ensures a bright, tart counterpoint, while an egg white gives the drink a luxurious, silky texture and a beautiful foamy head. It's a perfectly integrated drink that is simultaneously rich, refreshing, and deeply satisfying.
Improved Amaretto Sour

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is a cocktail belonging to the "Sours" family. It is categorized as a Modern Classic because it is a recent creation (from 2012) that has gained widespread acclaim and is now a staple in high-quality cocktail bars worldwide.

Serving

Served cold in a chilled Old Fashioned glass over a large ice cube, this is a moderately strong cocktail with a rich body and beautiful foamy top.
Serving size
Approx. 120 ml / 4 oz (before ice)
Alcohol content
Approx. 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Old Fashioned
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

In the early 2010s, bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon, sought to redeem the Amaretto Sour from its reputation as an overly sweet drink made with sour mix. He deconstructed the classic, adding high-proof bourbon to balance the amaretto's sweetness and egg white for texture. His formula became an instant hit, transforming the drink's perception globally and establishing a new standard for modern sours.
Origin
Created by Jeffrey Morgenthaler around 2012 at the bar Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Improved Amaretto Sour

While creator Jeffrey Morgenthaler simply named it "Amaretto Sour," the cocktail community often refers to it by his name to distinguish it from the simpler, two-ingredient versions of the past. It is widely considered the definitive modern recipe for the drink.
Original name
Amaretto Sour
Alternative names
  • Jeffrey Morgenthaler's Amaretto Sour
  • Morgenthaler's Amaretto Sour
  • Modern Amaretto Sour

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a delightful balance of nutty almond and warm whiskey aromas, leading to a rich, velvety texture that coats the palate. Its flavor is a perfect harmony of sweet and sour, finishing with a clean, warming aftertaste.
Flavor
Nutty, Almond, Sweet, Sour, Vanilla, Oak, Rich, Marzipan
Aroma
Almond, Lemon Zest, Whiskey, Cherry
Taste balance
Balanced, Sweet-and-sour
Aftertaste
Warming, Lingering, Sweet, Clean
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Amber, Golden-brown, Opaque, Thick foamy head
Texture
Velvety, Silky, Rich, Smooth, Creamy
Seasonality
Year-round, Comforting, Refreshing

Flavor intensity & Experience

The cocktail's flavor is moderately intense, defined by a perfect equilibrium between sweetness and sourness, with a creamy texture and a noticeable but well-integrated alcohol strength.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires a quality amaretto, a potent cask-strength bourbon, and fresh lemon juice. Simple syrup adds a touch of sweetness, while egg white provides its iconic rich texture.
  • Amaretto45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A quality amaretto like Luxardo or Lazzaroni is recommended.
  • Cask-Strength Bourbon22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    The high proof is crucial for balancing the sweetness. Booker's or a similar high-ABV bourbon works well.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Simple Syrup (1:1)5 ml / 1 teaspoon
    Adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your amaretto.
  • Egg White15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Creates the signature velvety texture and foam. Pasteurized egg whites can be used for safety.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking and one large cube or sphere for serving.

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and two types of strainers to ensure a perfectly smooth and frothy final drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for combining and chilling ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Hawthorne strainer for straining from the shaker.
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining to achieve a smooth foam.

Instructions

The key to this drink is the two-step shaking process: a dry shake without ice to build foam, followed by a wet shake with ice to chill and dilute. Double-straining ensures a silky-smooth texture before garnishing.
1. Add all ingredients—amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white—to a cocktail shaker without ice.
2. Seal the shaker and perform a "dry shake" (shaking without ice) vigorously for about 15 seconds. This emulsifies the egg white and creates a rich foam.
3. Open the shaker, fill it with cubed ice, seal it again, and perform a "wet shake" for another 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Place a large ice cube in a chilled Old Fashioned glass. Double-strain the cocktail through both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer into the glass.
5. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the surface of the drink and drop it in. Garnish with one or two brandied cherries.

Garnishing

The cocktail is traditionally garnished with both a lemon twist, for its aromatic oils, and a rich brandied cherry, which complements the nutty flavors.
  • Lemon twist: Express the oils over the drink's surface before dropping it in.
  • Brandied cherry: Drop one or two high-quality brandied cherries into the finished cocktail.

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains egg white and is therefore not vegan. Amaretto is an almond-flavored liqueur (often from apricot kernels), so it is not suitable for those with nut allergies.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately caloric, primarily due to the sugar content from the amaretto and simple syrup. The carbohydrates and sugar levels are relatively high for a single beverage.
Calories
Averagely 280 kcal / 1172 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 22 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile cocktail is perfect for a sophisticated happy hour or as an apéritif to start an evening. Its rich, dessert-like qualities also make it a wonderful after-dinner drink or a comforting cocktail for a quiet night in.
  • Happy Hour
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Dessert Cocktail
  • Cozy Night In

Pairing suggestions

The drink's nutty and sweet-sour profile pairs beautifully with almond-based desserts like biscotti, as well as the saltiness of a charcuterie board. The richness also stands up well to dark chocolate, making it a versatile cocktail for pairing with snacks and desserts.
  • Biscotti or almond cookies
  • Charcuterie boards with salty meats
  • Dark chocolate
  • Marzipan-based desserts

The Improved Amaretto Sour: A Modern Masterpiece

The Improved Amaretto Sour is a testament to the power of balance in mixology, transforming a simple sweet drink into a complex and satisfying experience. The addition of bourbon provides a crucial counterpoint to the sweet almond liqueur, while fresh citrus and egg white create a vibrant flavor and a luxurious, creamy texture. It is a sophisticated cocktail that appeals to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers, rightfully earning its place as a modern classic.

Similar Cocktails

Whiskey Sour

A classic sour made with whiskey (often bourbon), lemon juice, sugar, and optional egg white. It lacks the nutty flavor of amaretto.

Godfather

A much simpler two-ingredient drink made with just Scotch whisky and amaretto stirred over ice.

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