This amaretto stone sour is sweet, citrusy, and really easy to make. Amaretto, orange juice, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, shaken and strained over ice.
About this recipe
The stone sour is a variation of the classic Amaretto Sour with orange juice added. It makes the drink longer and a little lighter than a straight sour, with the orange juice adding a sweet citrus note that works really well with the almond flavor of amaretto. It’s one of those drinks you’ve got to watch out for because it’s super easy to sip through without really noticing how strong it is.
The sour mix in a lot of Stone Sour recipes is just lemon juice and simple syrup combined and I have a recipe for a sweet & sour mix on the blog, but you can keep them separate too so you can adjust the balance to taste.If you like it more tart, add a splash more lemon. If you like it sweeter, a little more syrup.
For the orange juice, fresh is great but carton juice can work well here too. The sweetness is consistent and it’s what most bars use. For more cocktail ideas, browse my vodka cocktail recipes or gin cocktail recipes.
Key ingredients and why
- Amaretto: A sweet Italian liqueur. It’s the base of the drink and what makes it a Stone Sour (because the flavor
often comes from apricot stones.) - Orange juice: Fresh or carton both work well, but I love using fresh orange juice because it’s a bit less sweet usually.
- Fresh lemon juice: The sour element. Always use fresh.
- Simple syrup: Balances the lemon and ties everything together.
Method
- Add ice to a double rocks glass.
- Add ice, amaretto, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well for about 15 seconds until chilled. Strain into the rocks glass.
- Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
Tips
- Carton orange juice is fine. The sweetness is consistent and it’s what most bars use. Fresh works too if you prefer.
- Fresh lemon juice only.
- Adjust to taste. More lemon for tart, more syrup for sweet.
- Make your own sour mix. If you want a ready-made base, my homemade sweet and sour mix works perfectly in this drink.
Related recipes
- Raspberry Gin Sour – fruity and frothy with egg white foam
- Blueberry Gin Sour – deep purple and fruity
- Bee’s Knees Cocktail – classic gin with honey and lemon
Amaretto Stone Sour
Ingredients
- 1.75 oz amaretto
- 1.75 oz orange juice
- 0.75 oz lemon juice fresh
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Orange slice and maraschino cherry to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a double rocks glass with ice and set aside to chill.
- Add the amaretto, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well for about 15 seconds until chilled.
- Strain into the rocks glass.
- Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
