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Sweet soft notes of Amaretto swirl this cream-based cocktail with hints of coffee liqueur. The Toasted Almond Drink is the perfect way to say cheers this holiday season or sip as you sit fireside.
Any cocktail mixed with amaretto, especially Homemade Amaretto, during the holiday season or colder months is one I welcome. Whether it’s an Eggnog Martini or a classic beverage like this one.
This almond drink also makes a deliciously indulgent dessert cocktail that’s creamy and has a similar flavor to toasted almonds. It pairs perfectly as an after-dinner treat.
Each year I try to make some tasty homemade treats to give as gifts to friends and neighbors. In years past I’ve made infused olive oil, but this year I wanted something truly decadent. Making homemade amaretto seemed the perfect gift and after tasting it myself I can confirm.
I wanted to give my friends some options for using their amaretto, even though drinking it straight was truly divine and so I researched some cocktails. What I found was a delicious winter cocktail called the toasted almond drink.
Made of amaretto, coffee liqueur, and cream this is one decadent drink. It makes the perfect holiday cocktail for toasting friends or sipping while sitting fireside.
Why This Recipe is Great
- A delicious holiday beverage. Similar to a White Russian or even a Black Russian this drink, also known as a toasted almond martini, is rich and creamy but also sweet. The toasted almond cocktail perfect beverage to toast friends with during the holidays.
- Only 3 ingredients. The toasted almond drink recipe has only 3 ingredients and can be whipped up in minutes. This makes it great especially if you’re making a bunch of them.
- Can be made into shots. This beverage doesn’t have to be served as a cocktail and can also make a fun and festive shot too.
Ingredients Needed
There are only 3 main ingredients in this cocktail, which makes it similar to the White Russian. The difference between the two is the amaretto instead of vodka.
- Amaretto Liqueur – the name amaretto itself means “little bitter” in Italian and has a sweet and nutty flavor that’s also slightly bitter and reminiscent of toasted almonds. Many amarettos contain both almonds and apricot pits but are all equally delicious. I like to use the brand Disarono when I don’t have a homemade version on hand.
- Coffee Liqueur – my favorite coffee liqueur is Kahlua, which tastes strongly of coffee with hints of vanilla and caramel and brings a rich and bold flavor to this cocktail.
- Cream or Milk – this is a dessert cocktail, which is why I prefer to use whole milk or heavy cream. Either of these brings a rich creamy taste that smooths the other two liqueurs while blending them together perfectly. You can also use half and half or canned coconut for a dairy-free option, but try to stay away from using milk with less fat in it.
How to Make a Toasted Almond Drink
- Place the liquids into a cocktail shaker. Pour both the amaretto and coffee liqueur, or Kahlua, as well as the cream or milk into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously. Shake the contents vigorously for about 10 to 15 seconds to not only chill the mixture but also mix the contents well and generate the frothy cream on top.
- Serve. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass filled with ice. Typically this beverage doesn’t contain a garnish but you can top it off with some fresh orange peel, and mint leaves, or even place a cherry on a cocktail skewer.
Recipe Variations
This almond drink is also versatile and you can change up the mixture by making these variations.
- Eggnog Toasted Almond Cocktail: amaretto, coffee liqueur, and eggnog.
- Bailey’s Toasted Almond Cocktail: amaretto, coffee liqueur, and Bailey’s.
- Burnt Almond Cocktail: amaretto, coffee liqueur, vodka, and cream.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Line the rim of the glass. Dip the rim of your glass into some caramel or chocolate syrup and then pour some coarse sugar, Christmas sprinkles, or even graham cracker crumbs onto a flat surface and dip the rim in to coat it.
- Make it dairy free. Swap the cream for canned coconut milk, almond milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk to make this cocktail dairy free.
- Don’t skip using a cocktail shaker. Avoid just pouring the ingredients into a glass and stirring the contents. It’s important to shake them with ice in a shaker. This softens the cream and adds a froth to the top.
- The measurements aren’t finite. You can play around with the measurements of the liqueurs and the cream. Typically the liqueurs are equal and the cream is a little less or more depending on your preferences.
- Add some vodka. Some versions of the toasted almond cocktail contain vodka, which is a delicious addition and will also make it stronger. You can add 1 ounce to kick up your cocktail a notch. Try a flavored vodka to add even more to your drink.
Toasted Almond Cocktail: FAQS
If you’d like to prepare a larger batch of this cocktail, which makes it easier to serve during a party you will need 1 cup Amaretto, 1/2 cup Kahlua, and 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream. Whisk the ingredients together in a pitcher and keep them stored in the fridge.
To serve pour it over ice in a highball glass or pour individual servings into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake it and then strain it into a martini glass.
Yes, amaretto, especially brands such as Disaronno, makes great sipping liqueurs and can be enjoyed straight. You can also mix it into cocktails.
This sweet Italian liqueur can be made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds and the combination depends on the brand. All amarettos have a nutty almond flavor though.
I’m slightly partial, but I prefer to use Kahula as my preferred coffee liqueur and it tastes delicious in this cocktail.
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.
Toasted Almond Drink Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker and Strainer
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Amaretto Liqueur
- 1½ ounces Coffee Liqueur
- 2 ounces Cream or Milk
Instructions
- Pour both the amaretto and coffee liqueur, or Kahlua, as well as the cream or milk into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake the contents vigorously for about 10 to 15 seconds to not only chill the mixture but also mix the contents well and generate the frothy cream on top.
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass filled with ice. Typically this beverage doesn't contain a garnish but you can top it off with some fresh orange peel, and mint leaves, or even place a cherry on a cocktail skewer. Serve it in a martini glass or a highball glass over ice.
Notes
- Line the rim of the glass. Dip the rim of your glass into some caramel or chocolate syrup and then pour some coarse sugar, Christmas sprinkles, or even graham cracker crumbs onto a flat surface and dip the rim in to coat it.
- Make it dairy free. Swap the cream for canned coconut milk, almond milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk to make this cocktail dairy free.
- Don’t skip using a cocktail shaker. Avoid just pouring the ingredients into a glass and stirring the contents. It’s important to shake them with ice in a shaker. This softens the cream and adds a froth to the top.
- The measurements aren’t finite. You can play around with the measurements of the liqueurs and the cream. Typically the liqueurs are equal and the cream is a little less or more depending on your preferences.
- Add some vodka. Some versions of the toasted almond cocktail contain vodka, which is a delicious addition and will also make it stronger. You can add 1 ounce to kick up your cocktail a notch. Try a flavored vodka to add even more to you drink.
