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The sweet almond flavor of this liqueur makes the perfect gift to share with those you love this holiday season or just enjoy on your own. This homemade Amaretto Recipe can be used in a variety of cocktails as well as over many delicious seasonal treats like ice cream.
I never knew how easy it was to prepare homemade amaretto until I tried this recipe. I wanted to prepare some kind of edible treat to give as a gift for the holidays and came up with this one. Personally, I enjoy sipping it as is but you can use it to make cocktails such as this Toasted Almond Drink.
You could also use amaretto to make a holiday signature cocktail too. Get creative! I love serving this Black Cocktail for Halloween or just using someone else’s signature cocktail like this Black Russian for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. This recipe for amaretto only takes minutes to make and has just a few ingredients. It’s truly one of the easiest gifts I give during the holidays.
- Tastes better than store-bought versions. There are many additional ingredients in the store-bought version of amaretto, but you can still get an almost exact flavor at home that in my opinion is smoother and tastes better.
- Makes a great homemade gift. A couple of years ago I started making homemade amaretto to give as a homemade gift, and one that’s not very expensive too, and everyone loved it. One friend opened the bottle immediately and poured us each a glass. I’ve even included labels you can print out below.
What is Amaretto?
The name amaretto is derived from the Italian word “amaro,” which means bitter and is used to describe bitter-tasting aperitifs and digestifs. “Etto” means little and so amaretto altogether means little bitter.
Amaretto is often thought of as an almond-flavored liqueur but it’s most commonly made using apricot pits. Some varieties use almonds or a combination of the two, but you can also prepare by adding extracts to a base liqueur.
There are no apricot pits needed or obscure items in this recipe though and only a handful of ingredients are used.
Ingredients Needed
The ingredients in this recipe for amaretto are simple and ones you likely already have at home. Since there are so few I recommend using high-quality ingredients which will increase the overall flavor.
- Vodka – there is only a handful of ingredients in this recipe, which is why I recommend using a higher quality vodka. You don’t want a vodka that’s going to cheapen the overall flavor of the amaretto.
- Sugars – you will need both granulated sugar and brown sugar for this amaretto recipe, to bring the sweet and caramel and toffee-like flavor to the mixture.
- Almond Extract – though traditional amaretto is made using apricot pits it’s also sometimes made using almonds, which is why this extract is a key ingredient for getting the delicious flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – adding in vanilla extract brings smoothness and sweetness to the liqueur that’s delicious.
How to Make Amaretto
- Dissolve the sugars. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the water and both the granulated sugar and brown sugar to a soft boil, stirring occasionally. Continue to heat the mixture until the sugars have dissolved completely, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Mix in the vodka and flavorings. Once the mixture has cooled stir in the vodka, almond extract, and vanilla extract. If the mixture is still warm allow it to cool completely before bottling it.
- Bottle the mixture. Place a funnel into the mouth of your chosen bottle and pour the liqueur in leaving about 1 inch of space at the top. Secure the top and print, cut out, and apply the labels if using. Tie some baker’s twine or ribbon around the neck for gifts.
What to Mix with Amaretto
Amaretto is one of those mixers that work well with many different spirits such as brandy, vodka, whiskey, and rum. You’ll often find it mixed, shaken, or stirred into fruity or cozy fall and winter cocktails. It can also be poured over desserts, specifically an affogato.
Other ways to use amaretto outside of cocktails is to add some to your coffee or try adding it to some Banana Pudding. Baking with amaretto is a delicious way to add some extra flavor and can be used instead of vanilla. It’s also great over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
Amaretto Cocktails
- Amaretto Sour
- Toasted Almond Cocktail
- Eggnog Martini
- Alabama Slammer
How to Package Homemade Amaretto
Since this homemade amaretto makes a great gift I’ve made some homemade labels, just like the ones in the photos for you to print out. You can use your home printer to make these and some label paper. The bottles I used in the photos are 16 ounces and turn out very nice.
I like to finish my bottles off by tying some baker’s twine or ribbon around the neck of the bottle. Don’t forget to write the “bottled by” date and the actual ounces on your label when you package them.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Use quality liquor. When making flavored liqueurs at home I recommend using a high-quality base liquor because it will affect the overall taste.
- Date the bottles. Don’t forget to write the “bottled by” date on the labels if you plan on giving these as gifts.
- Mix it into your baking. Amaretto isn’t just for sipping it is also great mixed into baked goods, especially, cakes, pies, and cookies. Try it instead of using vanilla.
FAQS
Once you’ve prepared the homemade amaretto and bottled the liqueur, keep the bottles stored in a cool dark spot such as a pantry or cabinet. You can also keep it on a bar cart if your cart isn’t in direct sunlight.
If stored properly, in a cool and dark place and with a cork top, or in an air-tight container, this recipe will last for up 6 months.
No, this liqueur doesn’t need to be stored in the refrigerator after opening. I like to keep mine sitting on my bar cart, especially during the holidays.
Yes, you can use a variety of alcohol as the base in this amaretto recipe. This recipe uses vodka, but some other options are brandy or rum
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this easy recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars.
Homemade Amaretto
Equipment
- 3 16-ounces Bottles with Lids or other size
- Small Funnel
- Medium Saucepan
- Label Paper if making into a gift
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups Water
- 1½ cup Granulated Sugar
- 3/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 3 cups Vodka
- 3 tablespoons Almond Extract
- 2 tablespoons Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the water and both the granulated sugar and brown sugar to a soft boil, stirring occasionally. Continue to heat the mixture until the sugars have dissolved completely, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes before moving on to step 3.
- Once the mixture has cooled stir in the vodka, almond extract, and vanilla extract. If the mixture is still warm allow it to cool completely before bottling it.
- Place a funnel into the mouth of your chosen bottle and pour the liqueur in leaving about 1 inch of space at the top. Secure the top and print, cut out, and apply the labels if using. Tie some baker's twine or ribbon around the neck for gifts.
Notes
- Use quality liquor. When making flavored liqueurs at home I recommend using a high-quality base liquor because it will affect the overall taste.
- Date the bottles. Don’t forget to write the “bottled by” date on the labels if you plan on giving these as gifts.
- Mix it into your baking. Amaretto isn’t just for sipping it is also great mixed into baked goods, especially, cakes, pies, and cookies. Try it instead of using vanilla.
- The nutrition information is for 1 entire 16-ounce bottle.
