Didn’t think the Amaretto Sour could get any better? Try this citrusy twist.
About the cocktail
The unstoppable popularity of the Amaretto Sour makes a lot of sense. The cocktail – which blends the almond-like liqueur amaretto with lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white – is packed with sweet, sour and nutty flavours, with a fluffy texture that ties it all together. The whole package is, frankly, delicious. And while amaretto rarely makes an appearance beyond its namesake Sour, that hasn’t stopped plenty of us falling in love with the liqueur. With our Blood Orange Amaretto Sour, we’ve found another very good reason to bust out that bottle. The Blood Orange Amaretto Sour is pretty much what you’d expect from the name – an Amaretto Sour spiked with the intense ruby colour and zippy fruitiness of blood orange. We’re only using a little blood orange juice here (45mL – the same amount as amaretto), but it is more than enough to give your typical Amaretto Sour a decidedly Mediterranean flavour – and that’s enhanced by the floral, lemony notes of sumac, which we’re using as a garnish. With its deep pink colour and extra fruity flavours, we reckon the Blood Orange Amaretto Sour is a perfect warm-weather upgrade to the classic version. We’re talking about garden parties in spring, pre-dinner sips on warm evenings, or Christmas afternoons when everyone’s too stuffed full of turkey for anything more than a few sweet sips.
Ingredients
45mL amaretto 45mL blood orange juice 1 egg white 5mL lemon juice, optional Glass: coupe Garnish: sumac
Method
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker Dry shake – without ice – to emulsify the egg white Add ice to the tin and shake again Strain the drink into your glass Garnish with a dusting of sumac on top
Dan’s top tips
Blood orange is the star of the show here, and the best way to get the most out of it is to squeeze your own. The flavours are brighter, the texture is more substantial and you’ll definitely notice the difference over the prepackaged juice. That said, if blood oranges aren’t in season (that would be August to October), or you just can’t be bothered with the juicing, a quality bottle from your grocer can do the trick. Unlike the typical Amaretto Sour, lemon juice is optional in this cocktail. The reason is that blood orange already brings acidity to the drink, so you may not want any extra from the lemon juice. That’s totally up to you, though – a little extra zing is not always a bad thing. As for the egg white, remember to dry shake first, without ice, to really nail that frothy texture, before adding ice for a second shake. And one egg usually gives about 25mL to 30mL of egg white, so if you’re planning to switch it for a vegan alternative, remember that quantity.
What is the difference between an Amaretto Sour and the Blood Orange Amaretto Sour?
The only difference between an Amaretto Sour and a Blood Orange Amaretto Sour is the addition of blood orange juice.
Can I make this cocktail without the egg white?
You definitely can! Simply sub around 30mL of egg white for a vegan alternative like aquafaba.
- What can I use if I can’t find blood oranges?
If you can’t find blood oranges, a good quality blood orange juice should work well. Alternatively, a traditional orange will also work, but it will deliver a slightly different flavour.
