Sweet, citrusy, and ready in just a couple of minutes, this Amaretto Sour is one of my favorite easy cocktails for parties and get-togethers. Amaretto and sweet and sour mix give it plenty of flavor, while a splash of 7UP adds a light, bubbly finish.
I originally made a batch while we were watching the NFL playoffs, and out of the drinks I served that day, this was the favorite. My version is simpler and sweeter than the balanced bar-style Amaretto Sour you may be familiar with, making it an easy choice when you want a fun cocktail without a lot of ingredients or bartending techniques.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
There’s a reason this Amaretto Sour became a favorite at our house. It keeps everything simple while still giving you that sweet almond and citrus flavor you want from the drink.
- You can make it your own. Adjusting the sweet and sour mix gives you an easy way to make your Amaretto Sour a little sweeter or more tart, depending on what you like.
- It’s quick and easy. There’s no squeezing lemons or making simple syrup. Sweet and sour mix does the heavy lifting, so the cocktail comes together in just a couple of minutes.
- 7UP gives it a fun finish. A splash of soda adds some bubbles and lightens up the sweetness of the amaretto and sour mix.
- It’s made for entertaining. You can shake up one drink when the mood strikes or easily scale the amaretto and sour mix for a pitcher, then let everyone top off their glass with 7UP.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this cocktail, and everything should be easy to find at your local grocery or liquor store.
- Amaretto liqueur: Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavored liqueur that gives this cocktail its signature flavor. Disaronno is my go-to, but you can use your favorite brand of amaretto.
- Sweet and sour mix: Look for bottled sweet and sour mix near the cocktail mixers at the grocery or liquor store. Store-bought works great when you want to keep things easy, but homemade sweet and sour mix is a delicious option if you have some on hand.
- 7UP: A splash of 7UP adds citrus flavor, sweetness, and a little fizz. Sprite or another lemon lime soda will work too.
- Garnishes: Maraschino cherries and an orange wedge give this Amaretto Sour its classic finishing touch. I like dropping a couple of cherries right into the glass, then adding an orange wedge and another cherry on a cocktail pick.
How to Make an Amaretto Sour
STEP ONE: Add the amaretto and sweet and sour mix to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. You’ll know it’s ready when the outside of the shaker feels really cold in your hands.
STEP TWO: Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice and strain the cocktail into the glass. Using fresh ice instead of the partially melted shaker ice helps keep your drink cold without watering it down too quickly.
STEP THREE: Top with a splash of 7UP, pouring gently to keep all those bubbles. Start with a little, then taste and add more if you prefer a sweeter, lighter cocktail.
STEP FOUR: Add the maraschino cherries and garnish with an orange wedge and another cherry. Serve your Amaretto Sour right away while it’s icy cold and bubbly.
Two Ways to Make an Amaretto Sour
There’s more than one way to make an Amaretto Sour! My version keeps things quick and easy with sweet and sour mix and 7UP, but you can also make a more traditional bar style version with fresh lemon juice, bourbon, and egg white.
My Easy Party Variation
This is the version I make at home and the one you’ll find in the recipe card below. Amaretto and sweet and sour mix are shaken together until ice cold, then the drink gets a splash of 7UP for a sweet, citrusy, bubbly finish. It’s simple enough to make whenever the mood strikes and easy to serve for a party too.
Classic Bar-Style
Looking for something closer to the Amaretto Sour you’d order at a cocktail bar? Combine 1 ½ ounces amaretto, ¾ ounce cask strength bourbon, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon rich simple syrup, and ½ ounce egg white. The bourbon cuts some of the sweetness from the amaretto, fresh lemon gives it a tart citrus kick, and egg white creates that signature layer of foam on top.
A quick note about egg whites: Consuming raw or undercooked eggs can increase your risk of foodborne illness.
A Few Helpful Cocktail Tips
Making the bar-style variation? Shake the ingredients without ice first to help the egg white get nice and foamy. Then add ice and shake again until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled before straining.
No cocktail shaker? A mason jar with a tight-fitting lid works too. Just make sure the lid is on securely before you start shaking!
Amaretto Sour Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces amaretto
- 2 ounces sweet and sour mix
- 2 ounces 7UP or to taste
- maraschino cherries
- 1 orange wedge
Instructions
- Combine 3 ounces amaretto and 2 ounces sweet and sour mix in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until chilled.
- Fill a rocks glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass. Top with 2 ounces 7UP or add to taste.
- Drop a couple of maraschino cherries into the glass. Then add 1 orange wedge and another cherry to a cocktail pick and set it in the glass. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Make a Pitcher
Making Amaretto Sours for a party? Skip mixing them one at a time and make a big batch instead! This recipe makes about 12 cocktails, so it’s perfect when you have a crowd coming over.
For a 2-quart pitcher, combine 4 ½ cups amaretto and 3 cups sweet and sour mix. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Right before you put the pitcher out, stir in 1 ½ cups of cold 7UP. Adding the soda at the last minute keeps it nice and bubbly instead of letting it go flat in the fridge. Set out glasses filled with ice along with plenty of cherries and orange wedges, and everyone can pour and garnish their own drink.
More Classic Cocktails to Try
Stocking your home bar or looking for another cocktail to make next? These easy favorites are always worth mixing up!
Maria says
Where do you get the sweet and sour mix. What brand is it? Where do you get the Armaretto? Sorry I’m new at this….!
Aubrey says
Here in Oregon we can only buy liquor in a liquor store. In Arizona I would just buy it in the liquor section of the grocery store. The same with the sweet and sour mix. You’ll see it near the margarita mix.
Crystal says
Hello! I will be hosting a bridal shower soon and I wanted to serve drinks. How can I make a big batch of amaretto sour? Like blender size batch. Thank you. Also is it pretty sweet? I want it to be sweet.
Glenn says
We are in ohio. You can get both at Walmart. We use mr.&mrs. T sweet and sour mix, and di amore ameretto. We aren’t conissour of alcohol so these work.
Paula says
I use the same! Do Amore and any sweet and sour mix. I also top mine off with a splash of OJ! Try it it’s great!