Learn how to make a refreshing Amaretto Stone Sour!
The traditional Disaronno cocktail recipe is made with Italian amaretto liqueur, freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice and garnished with maraschino cherries.
It’s the sweet and citrusy cousin to the classic Amaretto Sour, perfect for an adults-only brunch!
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What Is An Amaretto Stone Sour?
A close cousin to the classic Amaretto Sour cocktail and not too far off from a Harvey Wallbanger, this simple mixed drink combines the almond-flavoured Italian liqueur for which it’s named with a muddling of citrus juice.
It’s the addition of freshly squeezed orange juice that separates it from the most basic rendition of the Amaretto Sour.
The drink rose to peak popularity in the 1970s alongside its better-known relative, although a predecessor, an Old Tom Gin-based Stone Sour, appeared in Tom Bullock’s “The Ideal Bartender,” published in 1917.
So what’s the difference between Amaretto Sour and Amaretto Stone Sour? An amaretto stone sour is a sour craft cocktail made with orange juice and amaretto. A traditional sour has liqueur, sour mix, and sweetener. The stone sour adds orange juice.
What exactly does an Amaretto Stone Sour taste like? The amaretto stone sour is a fresh, citrusy cocktail with notes of sweet almond and vanilla. The addition of fresh lemon and orange juice make it the perfect cocktail to serve in the morning at a fancy brunch!
What Is Disaronno?
Disaronno Originale is a type of amaretto, an amber-coloured liqueur featuring a unique almond aroma and taste. It is produced in Saronno in Italy’s Lombardy region. It is the world’s best known amaretto brand.
While the Italian aperitif smells and tastes like almonds, the liqueur is actually an infusion of apricot kernel oil with alcohol, burnt sugar, and the pure essence of 17 secretly selected herbs and fruits. Disaronno is a nut-free alcoholic product.
It was originally called Amaretto di Saronno until 2001, when it was rebranded as Disaronno Originale. The liqueur is sold in an oblong glass decanter designed by a craftsman from Murano.
For a long time the Italian company has promoted a legend surrounding the origins of amaretto, “In 1525, a Saronno church commissioned artist Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s pupils, to paint its sanctuary with frescoes. As the church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Luini needed to depict the Madonna, but was in need of a model. He found his inspiration in a young widowed innkeeper. As a gift for him, the woman steeped apricot kernels in brandy, producing the first amaretto liqueur.”
Disaronno can be served straight up as a aperitif or digestif, on the rocks, or as part of a cocktail mixed with other alcoholic beverages, Coca-Cola, ginger ale, or fresh fruit juice. It may also be added to hot chocolate and is an ingredient in the Italian version of a boozy Irish coffee. Amaretto liqueur is also famously used in the Italian dessert Tiramisu.
Our favourite way to use amaretto is by shaking up this quick Amaretto Stone Sour recipe!
Travel to Italy to Sip a Disaronno Amaretto Cocktail
There’s no better way to familiarize yourself with an authentic Disaronno Amaretto Stone Sour recipe then by planning a vacation to visit Italy.
While Disaronno was originally served as an aperitif in the north, Italy’s most popular liqueur is now enjoyed in drinks across the country and throughout Europe and North America.
If you’ve traveled to Italy before you’ll probably have developed a fondness for aperitivo hour. Aperitivo comes from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open.” Historically, an aperitivo was an alcoholic beverage consumed before dinner to whet your appetite. Today, it’s a daily ritual that embodies la dolce vita.
True to form, this daily routine exudes Italy’s quintessential style of slowing down, socializing, drinking, and, of course, eating. In Italy aperitivo hour starts every night from around 6-9 PM at local cafes, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Italians and tourists alike take part in drinks and snacks while they unwind and catch up with friends before their evening meal filled with polenta, pasta, short rib ragu, pici, gnocchi, pizza and gelato.
Classic Italian aperitifs like Campari, Aperol and Disaronno are served at aperitivo hour with a complimentary selection of snacks like olives, crackers, cured meat and cheese.
We suggest ordering an authentic Amaretto Stone Sour cocktail after sailing through the canals in Venice, luxury car hopping in Modena, tanning on the beach in Amalfi, visiting the Pantheon in Rome, exploring Italian Renaissance treasures in The Vatican, Armani and contemporary art shopping in Milan, touring the tower in Pisa, and enjoying a Honeymoon in Tuscany with stops in Siena, Sorano, Pitigliano, Saturnia, Volterra and Florence.
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Amaretto Stone Sour Ingredients
Our easy Amaretto Stone Sour recipe is made with the best quality ingredients:
- Disaronno: Italy’s favourite amaretto liqueur.
- Lemon and Orange Juice: we suggest using freshly squeezed citrus juice. Don’t you dare use the store bought stuff!
- Garnish: adorn the rocks glass with an orange slice and Luxardo Maraschino Cherry cocktail pick.
Cocktail Recipe Tips
This Disaronno Amaretto Stone Sour recipe is easy to make at home, ready to serve in 5 minutes!
We love serving Amaretto Stone Sours in the summer as they are refreshing on a hot day. They’re also popular as a brunch cocktail since the main ingredient is freshly squeezed orange juice. My family loves serving this cocktail at special celebratory brunch gatherings like Christmas morning, Mother’s Day and Easter.
Our easy homemade cocktail serves one person. If you’re hosting a large gathering feel free to multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and muddle the drink in a punch bowl or jug rather than a cocktail shaker.
If the drink tastes too strong or sweet for your liking feel free to add a splash of sparkling water or soda before serving.
If you love Amaretto you may also like Amaretto Disaronno and Coke or Amaretto Disaronno Sour.
You May Also Enjoy These Italian Recipes…
- Strawberry Negroni Cocktail
- Aperol Negroni Cocktail
- Lemon Drop Martini Limoncello Cocktail
- Liquore Strega Saffron Yellow Gin Cocktail
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Best Bartender Tools & Cocktail Equipment
Before hosting a swanky Amaretto Stone Sour soiree you’ll need to ensure you have the best bartender tools and cocktail equipment.
- Cocktail Kit: cocktail kits are the perfect gift for newbie mixology fans as they include basic bartender tools like a jigger, shaker and spoon.
- Cocktail Shaker: a bartender’s best friend. Purchase a premium cocktail shaker to muddle or shake up your favourite pink gin cocktails.
- Cocktail Glassware: make sure your bar is stocked with a selection of unique glassware to show off your favourite cocktail creations.
- Hawthorne Strainer: this unique strainer features tightly wound coils and perforated holes. It keeps ice and other large ingredients like lime wedges in your cocktail shaker rather than in the glass.
- Bar Spoons: slender and long bar spoons are a must-have when stirring drinks.
- Bottle Opener: easily open bottles of beer or cider with the flick of your wrist or purchase a corkscrew for fine wine.
- Pouring Spout: once you’ve opened a new bottle of gin insert these affordable pourers to make cocktail assembly a breeze.
- Cutting Board: purchase a petite cutting board for your bar to slice garnishes or citrus wedges like lime, orange, lemon or grapefruit.
- Ice Bucket: chill bottles of gin quickly in an ice bucket or keep by the bar when muddling gin mixers into cool creations.
- Ice Crusher: fans of the Mint Julep love an ice crusher.
- Ice Cube Kit: we suggest purchasing a selection of ice cube trays. Silicone styles are our favourite as they’re easy to clean and are available in various shapes and sizes.
- Jigger: use a jigger to accurately measure spirits, juices, syrups and shrubs.
- Juicer: invest in an electronic juicer or buy an affordable hand-held to easily juice fresh citrus like lemons and limes.
- Muddler: fans of the Mojito love a sturdy muddler to mix mint and lime. Muddler’s are handy for any cocktail featuring ingredients that need a pounding like fresh herbs or citrus wedges.
- Citrus Peeler & Zester: adorn your craft cocktails with a thick citrus peel or finer ribbons of lime or lemon zest.
- Rimmer: Bloody Mary and Caesar lovers should outfit their bar with a handy rimmer for salting and sugaring glassware.
How To Make the Best Amaretto Stone Sour Cocktail Recipe
Amaretto Stone Sour Cocktail
Equipment
- Shot Glass
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 2 oz Amaretto
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Orange Juice
- Orange Wheel garnish
- Maraschino Cherry garnish
Instructions
- Add the amaretto, lemon juice and orange juice into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 30-40 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with an orange wheel and maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
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