amaro sour

The amaro sour cocktail is herbal and spicy, with a sweet-tart balance and creamy egg white foam. You’ll love the complex flavors and silky smooth texture! 

Whether you’re new to amari or you’re a longtime connoisseur of this vast category of bittersweet liqueurs, the amaro sour cocktail is for you. It’s built with mostly amaro (use your favorite!), a bit of bourbon, the obligatory squeeze of lemon, and a silky egg white foam. 

The cocktail is herbal and complex, with a sweet-tart flavor that keeps you coming back for more. You can skip the egg white and still have a delicious drink, but we strongly recommend that gorgeous creamy foam.

It’s one of the best ways to elevate your cocktails at home! There’s nothing more delicious (and impressive) than a freshly shaken cocktail with a thick egg-white foam and a luxurious texture.

Amaro sour ingredients: 

How to make an amaro sour

1. Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
2. Vigorously shake for about a minute (dry shake).
3. Add ice and shake until chilled.
4. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube.
5. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
6. Enjoy!

Egg white foam tips:

If you’re new to egg-white foams, don’t fear! We’re sold on the dry shake technique because it’s reliable and simple.

Shake everything without ice first, which helps loosen up the egg white and build volume. This is your chance to build the foundation of a thick foam. 

Then add ice and shake just enough to chill.

Note: There is always a risk of salmonella when consuming raw eggs. Be extra cautious or avoid them altogether if you have a compromised immune system.

Make this your amaro sour recipe your own! 

• Skip the egg white for a lean, fresh (and vegan) version.
• Use lime juice for a chalkier, sharper acid.
• Strain it into a chilled coupe instead of serving it over a large ice cube.
• Use a dark aged rum in place of the bourbon for a sweeter, softer flavor profile.

What amaro should I use?

You can use ANY amaro you want here. The flexibility makes this cocktail so much fun to play with. Use something light and delicate or strong and herbal.

The amaro you pick determines the flavor profile, intensity, and overall bitterness of the cocktail. 

Here are a few common amari (going from lightest to most intense) to try and what you can expect from them:

• Amaro Nonino is one of the most benign amari! The sour will be soft, with notes of thyme, orange peel and spices with the faintest hint of bitterness.
• Ramazzotti adds notes of cola, licorice, and vanilla with gentle bitterness.
• Averna brings an herbal, slightly bitter profile to the drink with notes of chocolate, spice, and licorice.
• Cynar is intensely vegetal and earthy, with a strong lingering bitterness.
• Fernet Branca is one of the most intense amari. It will give the cocktail a strong menthol character and profound bitterness. The amaro sour is one of the best ways to experiment with Fernet if you’re intrigued by it!

More amari cocktail recipes to try:

campari spritz

paper plane

jungle bird

mezcal negroni

white negroni

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