Amaretto: A Guide to Cocktails

Amaretto, widely known as Disaronno, happens to be a personal favorite ingredient in cocktail drinks. While it can be a bit rough neat or on the rocks, mixing with some cola provides a refreshing taste of Dr. Pepper, but with alcohol. Going back as much as 500 years the recipe for the liquor has remained quite constant... probably due to its perfect taste.

As I have already said three ways people drink their almond friend is neat, on the rocks, and with cola. However, there are numerous other ways to enjoy this classic.

Using half part orange juice with half part Amaretto (similar to a screwdriver with alcohol) produces a savory balance of sweet against sour. Want it sweeter? Use more OJ. More sour? A wee bit more liquor.

A favorite among most Amaretto lovers is the infamous Screaming Orgasm. If you do not already know it is part Amaretto, part Kahlua, part Bailey's, part vodka, and five or six half and halfs. Really it can hit you with quite the kick.

Less popular than the Screaming Orgasm is the Cocktail Orgasm, which uses some of the same ingredients as its cousin in different portions. Remove the vodka and half and halfs. Replace them by using Amaretto, Kahlua, and Bailey's in thirds. Personally it has too strong of a taste for me compared to the above mentioned cocktails.

People who enjoy Scotch will be appreciative to know that, instead of taking Scotch on the rocks, you can mix it half way with Amaretto to add an almond softness to the kick. Known as the Godfather it is absolutely fantastic for relaxing after work.

Finally, while in the U.K., I was introduced to the Jailbreak. While I am no Guinness fan I still find this one very enjoyable. Each person has their own twist or mix skills, but you really cannot go wrong here. Usually we start with the three shots: Amaretto, Kahlua, and Mr. Daniels (Jack). After that it is either 3 parts Guinness or 3 parts cola. Using cola first seems to allow the drink to mix a bit more thoroughly. Honestly I have not really tasted anything quite like it using Amaretto in America.

Now that you have some new uses to Amaretto I urge you to guy buy a bottle of Disaronno and hit mixer! Do not forget to take an extra shot for me.