Homemade Amaretto

This simple and delicious recipe for homemade amaretto is perfect for mixing all kinds of amaretto cocktails. What is amaretto? Find out here!

Considering the fact that it's one of America's most popular liqueurs, you might be surprised to hear that amaretto, an Italian treat, wasn't actually imported into the United States until the 1960s.

Deliciously sweet and with a wonderful, distinctive, nutty flavor, amaretto originated in Saronno, Italy.

First made from bitter almonds, most brands now are made from either almonds or the crushed pits of cherries or peaches.

These all contain something called 'benzaldehyde', which gives amaretto its almond flavor.

Despite the fact that 'amaretto' translates from Italian to 'bitter almonds', the liqueur is only mildly bitter, but very sweet!

For this reason, it is best with an ice cube if served alone as it thins it a little and makes it less 'cloying'.

It also works well as a mixer in all sorts of cocktails, as it mellows out the 'bite' of many spirits.

Amaretto Cocktails 

Amaretto is used in a number of different cocktail recipes. Here are a few combinations you might like to try:

• French Connection - amaretto and cognac
• Amaretto Piña Colada - amaretto, rum, pineapple juice and coconut milk
• Snickerdoodle Cocktail Martini - amaretto, cinnamon vodka and cinnamon liqueur

How Else Can Amaretto Be Used?

• Try adding a little to freshly brewed coffee - delicious!
• Use it in savory dishes containing almonds - it really boosts the flavor.
• Stir a little into ice cream.
• Use it to make Tiramisu
• Add a dash to whipped cream for a unique and delicious flavor
• Mix it into pancake batter for a richer taste 
• Toss diced sweet potato with a mixture of amaretto and olive oil, then roast until golden. Sprinkle with almonds before serving

Not to Be Confused With...

The name 'amaretto' can sometimes be confused with other Italian terms.

These include:

• Amaro - these are also Italian liqueurs, but are flavored with herbs and have a much stronger, more bitter taste
• Amoretto - these are paintings of chubby Cupids!
• Amaretti di Saronna - these are macaron traditional to Saronno, flavored with amaretto

How to Make Homemade Amaretto

It's surprisingly easy to make your amaretto - and you don't even need to crush almonds or cherry pits to do so! Just grab a bottle of almond extract and everything else is plain sailing.

To make it you'll need the following ingredients:

• Water
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vodka
• Almond extract
• Vanilla extract

Other Amaretto Recipes

Amaretto also makes a beautiful addition to baked goods, especially decadent desserts!

This recipe for peach amaretto crumbles is delicious. Switch it up by swapping out the peaches for any other stone fruit you may have on hand.

In this amaretto cinnamon raisin bread recipe the amaretto adds a rich almond flavor to the already delicious pairing of warm cinnamon and raisins.

Of course, amaretto shines in a classic egg nog cocktail.