Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (2024)

  • co*cktails
  • Liqueurs

By

Colleen Graham

Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (1)

Colleen Graham

Freelance writer and co*cktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Updated on 01/21/23

Tested by

Laurel Randolph

Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (2)

Tested byLaurel Randolph

A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 3 mins

Cool: 20 mins

Total: 28 mins

Servings: 16 servings

Yield: 750 milliliters

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Amaretto is an essential liqueur in the bar that is used for a variety of co*cktails from the amaretto sour to the godfather. While it's easy to find a number of commercial brands in the store, it's just as easy to make your own amaretto at home.

Homemade amaretto is made using just a few ingredients that are commonly found in the kitchen. It has a vodka base and is sweetened with both white and brown sugars. Rather than commercial amaretto's apricot kernels, the flavor in this recipe comes from almond and vanilla extracts. With everything at hand, you can have your very own bottle of amaretto within one hour. And, if you have not made a liqueur from scratch before, this is a perfect introductory recipe.

Simple Amaretto Sour co*cktail

Not only will your amaretto make a nice addition to your home bar's liqueur stock, but it's also a nice gift idea. Put it in a gift basket along with a few extras to create a selection of co*cktails, include some almonds to munch on, and you're all set!

Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (4)

"A quick and easy homemade amaretto recipe that tastes just like the store-bought liqueur. There's a good chance you already have the ingredients handy, and the variations are fun, especially swapping vodka for aged rum." —Laurel Randolph

Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (5)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 cup white granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 2 cups vodka

  • 2 tablespoons almond extract

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (6)

  2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add the sugars. Reduce the heat, simmer, and stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved.

    Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (7)

  3. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool completely.

    Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (8)

  4. Add the vodka and flavoring extracts and stir until it's well mixed.

    Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (9)

  5. Pour the amaretto liqueur through a funnel into a bottle and seal.

    Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (10)

  6. Serve the amaretto on its own over ice or mix it into your favorite co*cktails and enjoy.

    Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (11)

How to Store

The vodka will add to the shelf life of your homemade amaretto liqueur. It should keep well for at least a month and can be stored just like any other liqueur. Refrigeration is not required.

Tips

  • If you notice the flavorings are separating from the liqueur, give the bottle a really good shake to incorporate them.
  • Whenever you make liqueurs at home, keep in mind that the quality of the base liquor will affect the taste of your finished product. While it's not necessary to use top-shelf vodka, your amaretto will be better off with a vodka you wouldn't mind drinking on its own. Luckily, there are a number of great tasting inexpensive vodkas on the market that are perfect for projects like this.
  • The recipe makes about 750 ml (3 cups) of amaretto, which is the same as a fifth (the average-sized liquor bottle). This makes it very convenient to recycle your vodka bottle to store your amaretto under a tight seal.

Recipe Variations

  • If you prefer, use whole vanilla beans instead of vanilla extract. Typically, one bean should be enough to add a nice flavor, though some people prefer two. Cut the vanilla bean into pieces and add it while making the syrup—after the sugar has dissolved. Let it continue to steep for about an hour after adding the vodka and almond extract. Strain out the bean before bottling.
  • Rum makes a nice base for homemade amaretto as well. A white rum would be an excellent choice, though you could add dimension to the liqueur's flavor by using an aged rum.
  • Use this recipe as inspiration for other easy homemade liqueurs. For instance, you could use mint extract and white sugar exclusively to create a mint-flavored liqueur.
  • Another possibility is to add any flavor you like with fresh herbs or fruits to create a flavored simple syrup before blending it with vodka and water. For most flavors, a little vanilla extract will round out the taste with a nice richness.

How Strong Is Homemade Amaretto?

When made with an 80-proof vodka, your homemade amaretto should have a final alcohol content around 26 percent ABV (52 proof). This is right in line with the average commercial amaretto.

Vodka co*cktail Recipes

  • Liqueurs
  • Vodka co*cktails
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
141Calories
0g Fat
18g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories141
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 3mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 18g7%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 6mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 11mg0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • vodka co*cktails
  • american
  • christmas
  • beverage

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Making Amaretto Liqueur at Home Is Super Easy (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in amaretto liqueur? ›

Depending on the brand, it may be made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, all of which are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that provides the almond-like flavour of the liqueur. It generally contains 21 to 28 percent alcohol by volume.

What can you use instead of amaretto liqueur? ›

You can use almond extract to replace almond liqueur or amaretto liqueur in a recipe. OliveNation Almond Extract's flavor is more concentrated than amaretto or almond liqueur. Our recommended substitution ratio is 4 to 8 times liqueur to extract.

How is real amaretto made? ›

Amaretto is a sweetened distilled spirit. It gets its character from steeped almonds, apricot pits (which have a distinct almond flavor), peach stones, or a mix of the three. Most producers are secretive about their recipes. But traditionally, the ingredients are steeped for anywhere between a week to several months.

What's the difference between Disaronno and amaretto? ›

Disaronno is a brand of Amaretto, a liqueur made from Italian amber and almond flavours. In conclusion, the primary distinction between Amaretto and Disaronno is their almond content. Disaronno does not contain almonds despite its almond flavour.

How much alcohol is in a glass of amaretto? ›

It has a gorgeous copper hue and silky texture, much like an amaro. Amaretto can range in terms of its alcohol content, but like many liqueurs, it is often between 20-28% alcohol by volume, making it an easy sipper when served neat or on the rocks.

Why is Disaronno not called amaretto? ›

The product was called Amaretto di Saronno (Amaretto from Saronno) until 2001, when it was rebranded as "Disaronno Originale" for marketing reasons. Disaronno can be served neat as a cordial, on the rocks, or as part of a co*cktail mixed with other alcoholic beverages, cola, ginger ale, or fruit juice.

What's the difference between amaretto and amaretti? ›

Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavoured liqueur commonly used in co*cktails or in baking and desserts. Its flavour is derived from either almond pits, apricot pits, or both. On the other hand, Amaretti are traditional Italian almond cookies, made from almond flour, apricots kernels, sugar, and egg whites.

Does amaretto go bad? ›

Liqueurs and Cordials

The shelf life of a liqueur (e.g., schnapps, amaretto, and triple sec) is more temperamental. These spirits contain sugar and other ingredients that can spoil, some are more problematic than others. Generally, you'll want to discard open bottles after about 18 months.

What is a cheap version of amaretto? ›

Aldi's option is a little lower in alcohol content however it does still achieve the desired effect. Check out this easiest recipe for an Amaretto co*cktail if you like a sweet, dessert-like drink. Aldi Amaretto is one of many great (and cheap) Aldi liqueurs.

What is the closest liquor to amaretto? ›

Hazelnut liqueur is very similar to amaretto since it is also nutty in flavor, and might pair well with other sweet ingredients such as chocolate or coffee – start off with small amounts to ensure the flavor works well.

Are Frangelico and amaretto the same? ›

Frangelico and amaretto are the most popular nut-flavored liqueurs. They're comparable in color and used in similarly styled co*cktails. In drinks, the two can be used as substitutes for one another as you understand the difference in flavors. Amaretto's almond taste is more subtle than Frangelico's hazelnut.

Is it OK to drink amaretto straight? ›

You can drink amaretto straight by itself, or mix it with scotch, bourbon, rum, and other alcoholic drinks. Amaretto also mixes well with non-alcoholic drinks, like coffee, hot chocolate, and ginger beer. To drink amaretto straight, pour it over ice. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime for extra flavor.

Why does amaretto taste so good? ›

Originating in the 16th century, the sweet, slightly bitter drink is derived from natural flavourings like almonds and apricot pits, enhanced with pure alcohol and sweeteners.

Is amaretto good for you? ›

Moderation is key when it comes to enjoying amaretto. Excessive alcohol consumption can pose various risks to health, including: Increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer (including breast and digestive tract cancers), liver disease, and heart disease.

Is amaretto made with real nuts? ›

Amaretto is a fragrant almond flavoured liqueur. Traditionally, the almond flavour and slight bitterness come from oil extracted from bitter apricot kernels. However, sufferers of nut allergies should be aware that some amarettos are now made using almonds.

What is Disaronno amaretto made of? ›

It is produced in Saronno, a town in the Lombardy region of Italy. Disaronno is made according to a secret recipe that dates back to the Italian Renaissance. The liqueur is obtained from bitter apricot kernels, almonds, vanilla and sugar, which are mixed and macerated in neutral alcohol.

What liquor is made from apricot stones? ›

And amaretto is no exception. It's a liqueur that tastes like almonds, though it's made from apricot kernels. It's a happy marriage of bitter and sweet, equally at home in a brandy co*cktail as it is in biscotti.

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