Amaretto: Nutrition Facts, Recipe, & Uses

Amaretto is more than just a tasty type of alcohol; it also packs a few surprising health benefits, when consumed in moderation!

What is Amaretto?

Amaretto is an Italian liqueur originally made from bitter almonds, although now it is commonly also distilled using peach pits, and as such, is a gluten-free beverage. Most amarettos range from 24% to 28% alcohol by volume (ABV), and thanks to the high alcohol content, this alcohol does not go bad quickly. However, a bottle that has been opened for several years may have lost much of its flavor. If you do not have amaretto, non-alcoholic almond extract or hazelnut liqueur can be used as a substitute. ^[1]

Nutrition Facts

One ounce of amaretto contains 3 grams of sugar, 17 grams of carbs, and 110 calories. It does not contain any fats, proteins, cholesterol, and sodium.

Amaretto is a liqueur with an almond flavor. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

How to Make an Amaretto Sour?

The process to make an amaretto sour is a simple one. We have discussed the steps below.

Classic Amaretto Sour Recipe

This nutty liqueur makes an excellent sour. This classic recipe is easy to prepare and is a definite party pleaser. 

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Course: Alcoholic drink

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Liqueur, Amaretto Liqueur

Appliance: Cocktail Shaker

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Servings: 1 serving

Author: Paromita Datta

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Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Amaretto liqueur
• 0.75 oz lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 orange slice, thinly cut optional
• Ice cubes ^[4]

Instructions

• Pour the liqueur into a cocktail shaker with ice, syrup, and lemon juice.
• Shake to combine ingredients and let it cool.
• Pour into a glass and place a slice of orange on top.
  

Substitutes

There are many alternatives available depending on the effect you are looking for.

• Alcoholic substitutes: If you want to include the alcohol but have some flexibility on the flavor, try hazelnut liqueur, chocolate liqueur, or coffee liqueur.
• Non-alcoholic substitutes: If you’re interested in preserving the flavor of this alcohol, non-alcoholic substitutions, such as almond extract, orgeat Italian soda syrup, and marzipan are your best options.

Uses

Amazing uses of amaretto include the following:

• Most often used as an after-dinner drink, either straight or combined into a cocktail, this liqueur adds a sweet and strong flavor to many meals.
• Similarly, it is often added to desserts, such as tiramisu or cheesecake, or ice cream, to achieve a particular flavor.
• It is also popular to add to a morning or after-dinner coffee.

Benefits

Although not usually consumed with health improvement as its main goal, amaretto, as with many alcohols, may help with the following: ^[5]

• Lowers stress and anxiety
• Reduces the risk of heart diseases
• Prevents stroke

However, alcoholism and binge drinking is detrimental to overall health and can undo any possible good things that moderate amounts can impart.

Risks & Side Effects

Moderation is key. Excessive drinking can also lead to serious health problems, such as the following:

• Cancer
• Heart failure

Alcohol can impair your judgment, a particularly dangerous reality when operating heavy machinery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who should not drink alcohol include women who are pregnant, individuals younger than 21 years of age, and people who are recovering from alcoholism or cannot control the amount they drink. Also, it should be avoided by people who are planning to drive or any other activity that required focus and skill. However, different countries have different rules on alcohol purchase and consumption. ^{[6] [7]}

Cooking with alcohol: Cooking with alcoholic beverages results in only some loss of alcohol content. Foods baked or simmered in alcohol can retain anywhere from 4 percent to 85 percent of the alcohol, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data lab. ^[8]