Amaretto Stone Sour Recipe – Easy & Refreshing Cocktail
I clearly remember when I first learned about the Amaretto Stone Sour Recipe. I was trying to decide what to do with a bottle of amaretto that I had quickly purchased when I was in my kitchen. I’ve had amaretto on the rock side once; after that, I crave it. I totally remember the almond taste that was nice, but now I wanted something crispier. I tried the Amaretto Stone Sour at that point. This drink has the perfect balance of sour, sweet, and balanced flavors without being too complex for anyone to make at home.
When you see bartenders throwing ingredients around like wizards or shaking glasses with style, it can be difficult to shake cocktails at home. However, the majority of cocktails, including the Amaretto Stone Sour, are actually very simple for beginners to make. You can use as few items as I can in my kitchen. It’s not difficult at all; you can get its exact taste on just the first try. I will walk you through every step of what you need to know in this session. Let’s explore it:
What Is an Amaretto Stone Sour?
You need to understand what an amaretto stone sour is before I can start making it. Although the name gave it a hint of class, it’s actually very simple. The Amaretto Stone Sour is a simple beverage made with orange juice, amaretto liqueur, and a blend of sweet and sour flavors. These three simple ingredients combine to create a pleasant, refreshing, citrusy, and somewhat nutty beverage that is perfect for almost any occasion.

Given that oranges are referred to as “stone fruits” in cocktail culture, the word “stone” in the name refers to the usage of orange juice. The sweet and sour combination gives the amaretto a tangy kick that blocks its sweetness, which is where the “sour” flavor comes from. When you combine both, you get a delicious, smooth beverage that is just acidic enough to maintain attention.
Ingredients
I was really surprised by how little there was to the Amaretto Stone Sour when I first stocked up on everything I would need. This is a nice, simple drink, unlike some that call for strange syrups or spirits you may never even know existed. The three main ingredients for amaretto stone sour are required:
Amaretto Liqueur: This is the drink’s main attraction. Amaretto is a clean, candy-like, and somewhat nutty Italian liqueur with an almond flavor. Disaronno is the most common logo you’ll find, although any suitable good amaretto will work. This is what gives the drink its unique character. Many people even look for the best amaretto for Stone Sour recipe, and while Disaronno is the most popular, any high-quality amaretto will work beautifully.
Orange Juice: Orange juice in a bottle can work just as well, but fresh is preferable. The drink is refreshing since the citrus flavor balances the amaretto’s sweetness.
Sweet and Sour Mix: This includes water, sugar, lemon juice, and lime juice. You may make it at home by mixing lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup, or you can buy it already made from the shop. Since it tastes brighter and gives the cocktail a nice flavor, I like to make mine fresh.
That is all you need. You only need three ingredients to make a delicious cocktail. You can even garnish with a slice of orange or a cherry if you want to get really fancy, but that is completely optional.
Making the Amaretto Stone Sour Step by Step
Putting the drink together is the greatest part now. I was anxious about the quantities the first time I prepared this, but I quickly realized how forgiving this cocktail is. It tastes amazing even if you are not exact. This is how to make an amaretto stone sour the way I do it:
- I take my cocktail shaker first. Don’t be concerned if you don’t have one. Any jar with a lid can be used for mixing, or you can simply combine everything in the glass. A shaker is only used to thoroughly mix everything and provide a little ice frost.
- I then fill the shaker with ice. Next, I add a quarter of an ounce of amaretto liqueur. About a shot and a half, that is. Since the amaretto serves as the cocktail’s main flavor base, it is added first.
- One ounce of orange juice is then added. If I have oranges on hand, I usually squeeze mine fresh, but I’ve used canned juice a lot, and it still tastes great.
- One ounce of the sweet-and-sour mixture comes next. Simply use equal amounts of lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup if you have never done this before. Half a cup of lemon juice, half a cup of lime juice, and one cup of simple syrup can be combined to rapidly prepare a batch.
- I cover the shaker after adding all the ingredients and give it a good shaking for ten to fifteen seconds. This chills the beverage and combines the flavors. When the shaker’s outside feels chilly to the touch, you’ll know it’s ready.
- I next strain the liquid into a glass filled with ice. I sometimes serve it in a short glass, but if I want to drink more at once, I occasionally use a higher glass. I like to top it with a cherry or a small slice of orange. I usually make it presentable as soon as it’s ready, because it adds a special attraction to the drink.

How It Tastes
An Amaretto Stone Sour’s first flavor is always the best. The richness of the amaretto hits you first, then the spicy pucker of the sour mix and the refreshingly acidic flavor of the orange juice. The combination is sweet yet well-balanced, fresh but smooth, and it’s one of those drinks you can enjoy slowly or informally while hanging out with friends.
It’s not too strong, which is what I like best about it. This drink is less strong than others that give you a rapid hit of alcohol. Because of this, it’s perfect for beginners or anyone who wants something tasty without feeling strong.
Variations and Tips
After making the Amaretto Stone Sour a few times, I started experimenting with little adjustments. The ability to customize cocktails to your preferences is one of their best features. For a tropical taste, I sometimes mix in a little pineapple juice with the orange juice. I occasionally have flavored amaretto, such as vanilla or hazelnut, to see how it changes the flavor.
I’ll add half an ounce of vodka or whiskey to the mixture if I want a bigger kick. It changes the drink’s flavor while maintaining the harmony of sweet and sour. A little more lemon juice can help balance things out for people who dislike overly sugary beverages. Additionally, you can add a splash of soda water to the drink to make it lighter and fizzier.
Serving and Enjoying the Drink
Every time I serve guests an Amaretto Stone Sour, they usually compliment me on it. Its golden-orange color gives it an elegant appearance, and most people like the taste right away. It’s also a flexible beverage that works well as a casual afternoon refresher, a cocktail for an evening supper, or even a celebration drink when you need something unique but not overpowering.
I prefer to serve it in a small glass with a large ice cube. In order to prevent the drink from being too thin, the huge ice cubes melt more gradually. Even when I’m relaxing on my sofa, the addition of a cherry and an orange slice as a garnish gives it the vibe of a bar-pleasant cocktail.
Conclusion
One of my favorite small rituals is now making the Amaretto Stone Sour. It’s always profitable, fast, and clean. You can make a tasty and refreshing drink with just three ingredients: amaretto, orange juice, and a blend of sweet and sour. It is a popular pick and a great option for beginners due to its perfect mix of nutty sweetness, citrus brightness, and acidic sourness.
That is the right place to start if you have never tried creating cocktails before. The result is always tasty, it doesn’t require expensive equipment, and it’s forgiving if you don’t measure precisely. Squeeze some oranges, grab that bottle of amaretto, and shake up your own Amaretto Stone Sour. I can assure you that once you taste it, you will understand why it has become so popular.
FAQs
Can I make an Amaretto Stone Sour without a cocktail shaker?
Yes, you can. A simple jar with a lid works fine, or you can even mix everything directly in your glass with a spoon. A shaker just helps blend and chill the drink more evenly.
What’s the best amaretto to use?
Disaronno is the most popular and widely available brand, but any good-quality amaretto liqueur will work. Some brands even offer unique flavors that you can try.
Can I make my own sweet and sour mix?
Absolutely. Mix equal parts lemon juice and lime juice with simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water). Homemade always tastes fresher than store-bought.
Is this drink strong?
Not really. The Amaretto Stone Sour is really similar to many cocktails. The amaretto is only about 28% alcohol, and the orange juice. The sour mix makes this drink even more special.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Yes. You can substitute almond syrup or amaretto-flavored syrup for the liqueur, and mix it with orange juice and lemon-lime soda or sour mix. It won’t be the same, but it’s still tasty.
What’s the difference between an Amaretto Sour and an Amaretto Stone Sour?
The Amaretto Stone Sour vs Amaretto Sour comparison comes down to orange juice. The Amaretto Sour uses only amaretto and sweet and sour mix, making it sweeter and more intense. The Stone Sour adds orange juice, which makes it lighter and more refreshing.
Amaretto Stone Sour Recipe – Easy & Refreshing Cocktail
Course: CocktailCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1 cocktail
servings5
minutes200 kcal
kcalA refreshing Amaretto Stone Sour Recipe – sweet, sour, and citrusy cocktail anyone can make at home.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Amaretto Liqueur
1 oz Orange Juice (fresh or bottled)
1 oz Sweet and Sour Mix (or homemade with lemon + lime + simple syrup)
Ice cubes
Optional: Orange slice, Maraschino cherry for garnish
Directions
- I take my cocktail shaker first. Don’t be concerned if you don’t have one. Any jar with a lid can be used for mixing, or you can simply combine everything in the glass. A shaker is only used to thoroughly mix everything and provide a little ice frost.
- I then fill the shaker with ice. Next, I add a quarter of an ounce of amaretto liqueur. About a shot and a half, that is. Since the amaretto serves as the cocktail’s main flavor base, it is added first.
- One ounce of orange juice is then added. If I have oranges on hand, I usually squeeze mine fresh, but I’ve used canned juice a lot, and it still tastes great.
- One ounce of the sweet-and-sour mixture comes next. Simply use equal amounts of lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup if you have never done this before. Half a cup of lemon juice, half a cup of lime juice, and one cup of simple syrup can be combined to rapidly prepare a batch.
- I cover the shaker after adding all the ingredients and give it a good shaking for ten to fifteen seconds. This chills the beverage and combines the flavors. When the shaker’s outside feels chilly to the touch, you’ll know it’s ready.
- I next strain the liquid into a glass filled with ice. I sometimes serve it in a short glass, but if I want to drink more at once, I occasionally use a higher glass. I like to top it with a cherry or a small slice of orange. I usually make it presentable as soon as it’s ready, because it adds a special attraction to the drink.
Notes
- Can substitute amaretto with flavored amaretto (vanilla/hazelnut).
- Add pineapple juice for tropical twist.
- Use jar if no shaker is available.
- Adjust sweet and sour mix to taste.
- For non-alcoholic version, replace amaretto with almond syrup.