Amaretto Stone Sour Cocktail Recipe

What is an Amaretto Stone Sour Cocktail?

The Amaretto Stone Sour is our go-to when we want something smooth with a bit of zing. It’s a brighter take on the classic Amaretto Sour, with a splash of orange juice that adds a fresh citrus kick.

It became popular back in the 70s and still holds its charm today. The sweet almond flavor from the amaretto blends with the tart citrus in a way that’s easy to enjoy. Whether we’re catching up at brunch or relaxing in the evening, this one always hits the spot.

What You'll Need to Make an Amaretto Stone Sour

Making an Amaretto Stone Sour is easy and doesn’t take much. We’ve put together everything you’ll need to mix up this sweet and citrusy favorite at home.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Amaretto liqueur – this almond-flavored spirit brings the drink its signature sweetness and depth. We usually reach for Disaronno, but any good-quality amaretto works just fine.

Orange juice – adds a fresh, zesty twist. We always recommend squeezing your own if you can. If you're using store-bought, go for one that's 100 percent juice with no added sugar.

Sour mix – gives the drink its tangy kick. You can buy it ready-made, but we like mixing equal parts lemon juice and simple syrup for a fresher taste.

Garnish – an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry make the drink look great and add a hint of extra flavor as you sip.

Ice – go for larger cubes if you can. They melt slower and keep your drink chilled without watering it down too fast.

Equipment You'll Need

Here’s what we like to have on hand when mixing up an Amaretto Stone Sour:

• Cocktail shaker – We love the MixMaster Pro Deluxe Stainless Steel Cocktail Set for its quality and style
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Rocks glass (or old-fashioned glass) – Our go-to is the Whiskey Wobble Rotating Connoisseur's Glass for a fun and classy touch
• Citrus juicer

Having the right tools makes mixing drinks easier and more fun, especially when they look as good as they perform.

How to Make an Amaretto Stone Sour

Let’s walk through how we make our go-to Amaretto Stone Sour. It’s quick to mix, easy to remember, and always a crowd-pleaser.

This cocktail brings together the sweet almond flavor of amaretto with the brightness of citrus. It’s smooth, refreshing, and just the right balance of sweet and tangy.

Step 1: Fill your cocktail shaker about halfway with ice.
Step 2: Add the amaretto, orange juice, and sour mix.
Step 3: Secure the lid and shake for about 10 to 15 seconds, until it feels cold to the touch.
Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Step 5: Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

We like to chill the ingredients ahead of time so everything stays cold and blends better. And if you’re making drinks for a group, you can easily scale it up by shaking in batches.

You’ll find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below.

Amaretto Stone Sour Recipe Variations to Try

Once we’ve mastered the classic, it’s fun to get a little creative. Here are some of our favorite ways to switch things up:

• Add an egg white – This simple step gives the drink a smooth, foamy top and adds a creamy texture. It looks fancy but takes barely any extra effort.
• Use blood orange juice – Swapping in blood orange adds a richer color and a slightly more tart flavor that’s perfect when citrus is in season.
• Try a few dashes of bitters – A little bit of orange or aromatic bitters can bring out deeper flavors and help balance the sweetness.
• Experiment with different amaretto brands – Not all amaretto tastes the same. Try Disaronno, Lazzaroni, or Luxardo and see which one fits your taste best.
• Add a splash of bubbles – A little soda water or prosecco on top gives it a light, refreshing twist that’s perfect for warm days or brunch.

These small changes can bring a whole new vibe to your drink. Try one at a time or mix and match to find your favorite version.

More Cocktails You Might Like

If you’re into the sweet and tangy vibe of the Amaretto Stone Sour, we’ve got a few other drinks you’ll probably enjoy. Some share similar flavors, others use the same ingredients, but all of them are worth trying.

• Amaretto Sour
• Whiskey Sour
• French Connection
• The Godfather
• Cherry Vodka Sour
• Classic Margarita
• Tequila Sunrise
• Alabama Slammer

Try a few and see which one becomes your new go-to. We’re always mixing things up around here.

For more sour cocktail ideas, check out The 15 Best Sour Cocktails to Try.

FAQs About Amaretto Stone Sour Drink

What is an Amaretto Stone Sour made of?

An Amaretto Stone Sour contains amaretto liqueur, orange juice, and sour mix. We shake these ingredients with ice and strain them into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

The amaretto brings a sweet almond flavor, while orange juice adds bright citrus notes. Sour mix balances everything with its tart kick, creating a perfect blend.

What does an Amaretto Stone Sour taste like?

An Amaretto Stone Sour tastes sweet, nutty, and refreshingly citrusy with a pleasant tang. We often compare it to a boozy creamsicle because of how the almond and orange flavors play together.

The orange juice softens the drink, making it less sharp than other sour cocktails. This creates a smooth, easy-drinking cocktail that works well for many occasions.

What's the difference between an Amaretto Sour and an Amaretto Stone Sour?

The main difference is that a Stone Sour includes orange juice while a classic Amaretto Sour doesn't. We find this orange juice addition creates a fruitier, more rounded flavor profile.

An Amaretto Sour relies more on lemon juice or sour mix alone, giving it a sharper tang. The Stone Sour feels more mellow and refreshing, with the orange juice smoothing out the edges.

What is the origin of the Amaretto Stone Sour cocktail?

The Amaretto Stone Sour gained popularity in the 1970s during America's love affair with Italian liqueurs. We can trace its roots to the broader "stone sour" family of drinks that combine spirits with citrus.

Early versions appeared in bar guides of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The cocktail became a staple in many bars as amaretto's popularity surged throughout the disco era.

How strong is an Amaretto Stone Sour?

An Amaretto Stone Sour falls in the low to moderate strength range, with about 10-12% alcohol by volume. We consider it milder than many classic cocktails like Manhattans or Martinis.

The drink's fruit juices and ice dilution make it quite approachable. This moderate strength makes it perfect for brunches or casual gatherings where you want something tasty but not too potent.

What's the best amaretto for this recipe?

Disaronno remains the most popular choice for its smooth, classic almond flavor with subtle floral notes. We also recommend Luxardo Amaretto for its richer, more intense almond character.

Lazzaroni offers a more traditional taste with its cookie-infusion process. For budget options, Hiram Walker and DeKuyper work well in mixed drinks where other flavors will complement the amaretto.

Amaretto Stone Sour Cocktail Recipe

The Amaretto Stone Sour is one of our go-to drinks when we want something sweet, citrusy, and easy to make. It blends almond-flavored liqueur with fresh citrus for a smooth, balanced cocktail that’s perfect for casual hangouts or laid-back evenings at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Ingredients

  

• 2 oz amaretto liqueur
• 2 oz orange juice fresh-squeezed is best
• 1½ oz sour mix or equal parts lemon juice and simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
• 1 orange wheel or wedge for garnish

Instructions

 

• Grab your cocktail shaker, strainer, rocks glass, and some ice.
• Add ice to the shaker, then pour in the amaretto, orange juice, and sour mix.
• Shake well for about 10 to 15 seconds until chilled, then strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
• Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice or wedge, then serve right away while it’s nice and cold.

Notes

Tips to Make It Even Better

• Use a good-quality amaretto like Disaronno or Lazzaroni for the best flavor.
• Make your own sour mix with equal parts lemon juice and simple syrup. It tastes way fresher than the bottled stuff.
• One big ice cube melts slower than a bunch of small ones and keeps your drink from getting watered down.
• Let the drink sit for about 30 seconds after shaking so the flavors can settle and blend.
• Want to mix it up? Try a fancy cocktail cherry, a dried orange slice, or a light dusting of cinnamon on top.

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