For the Amaretto lovers out there!

Apr 14, 2023

Next Wednesday 19th April is International Amaretto Day! A day to celebrate the rich, nutty flavour of one of the most versatile liqueurs around. It's a day to raise a glass and toast to the Italian origin of amaretto, or as some like to call it, "liquid sunshine”.

So, what is amaretto exactly? Well, for those of you who haven't tried it yet (shame on you), it's a sweet almond-flavoured liqueur that's made from apricot pits. Yes, you read that right, apricot pits. Who knew that something so delicious could come from something as unappetizing as a pit? I mean, if amaretto can turn apricot pits into something that tastes like liquid gold, then maybe there's hope for the rest of us yet.

Amaretto is a spirit that's been around for centuries, and its popularity has only grown over time. It's the perfect addition to any cocktail, dessert, or even a cup of coffee (for those who like to live dangerously). In fact, it's so versatile that you could probably put it on your cereal in the morning and still have a great day. Okay, maybe that's a bit much, but you get the idea.

One of our favourites is making an Amaretto Sour.
Ingredients:
50mL Amaretto
30mL Lemon Juice
15mL Sugar Syrup
2 Dashes of bitters
1 egg white

Garnish:
Maraschino cherry
Lemon slice

Method:

Add amaretto, lemon juice, sugar syrup and an egg white to the shaker.
Shake for 20 seconds.
Fill the shaker three quarters full with ice and shake again for 20 seconds.
Strain into a glass with ice.
Add a dash of bitters on top.
Garnish with lemon wedge, and maraschino cherry.

Or if sour isn’t really your vibe, try out an Italian Margarita!
Ingredients:
60mL Tequila
30mL Amaretto
45mL freshly squeezed orange or blood orange juice
15mL lime juice

Garnish:
Salt the rim
Slice of lime

Method:

Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of flaky sea salt (or for a festive look, use our Margarita Salt).
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.

Don’t want to be your own bartender this weekend and rather have a professional make one for you? Here’s a few venues you can visit for an amaretto sour this weekend!
Barangaroo House, Sydney
Sitting on the beautiful waterfront in Barangaroo, grab a delicious amaretto sour on any of the three levels where each level encompasses its own personality. House Bar is our casual pub-like watering hole, where chilled escapism and sunny feels are the order of the day, everyday. Like it a bit louder? Level up to Rekōdo Restaurant and Vinyl Bar. A nod to Japanese listening rooms, Rekōdo (Japanese for 'record') blurs the line between food, drink and music to create an immersive restaurant and music experience with a Japanese twist. Or ascend the stairs to Smoke, where the cocktails and the stunning sunset will take you to dizzying heights. Rooftops and revelry go hand-in-hand, escape the day-to-day with us, where you come for the cocktails and stay for the stars, go on, you know you want to.

The Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
Kick back with some drinks or take in a gig, there’s only one place to be – Hotel Esplanade, the best pub in St Kilda. Fine food, functions, fun gigs and five levels of different bars, Hotel Esplanade has historically been one of the most popular bars in St Kilda, and most importantly, plenty of Amaretto sours to go around!

Dirty Little Secret, Wellington
Wellington’s original rooftop container bar, offering near-panoramic views of Courtenay Place and beyond. Dirty Little Secret is the most cutting edge venue to hit Wellington. Their industrial chic hideaway, inspired by the laneway bars of Melbourne is the perfect spot to enjoy an amaretto sour this weekend.

Want to start showing off your bartender skills? See here for venues hiring near you now that you can apply for!
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