Amaretto facts for kids

Bottles of amaretto liqueur

Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur. It comes from the town of Saronno, Italy. The name "Amaretto" means "a little bitter" in Italian.

This drink gets its special almond-like flavor from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, or peach stones. These are all natural sources of the flavor. Amaretto usually contains about 21 to 28 percent alcohol by volume.

People can drink amaretto by itself. They also use it to make different mixed drinks. Sometimes, it is added to coffee. Amaretto is also a popular ingredient in cooking.

Origin of Amaretto

What the Name Means

The name amaretto comes from the Italian word amaro. Amaro means "bitter." So, amaretto means "a little bitter." This describes the taste from the almond-like kernels used to make it.

However, amaretto is not very bitter. Sweeteners are added to make it taste good. This is why it's called "a little bitter." Any harmful parts from the almonds are removed before the drink is made.

It is important not to confuse amaretto with amaro. Amaro is a different type of Italian liqueur. It is much more bitter because it uses herbs.

A Story from the Past

There is a popular story about how Amaretto was created. This story is well-loved in Saronno.

In 1525, a church in Saronno asked an artist named Bernardino Luini to paint pictures on its walls. Luini was a student of the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci.

The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Luini needed someone to pose for his painting of the Madonna. He found a young woman who owned an inn. She became his model.

The woman wanted to give Luini a gift to show her thanks. She did not have much money. So, she soaked apricot kernels in brandy. She gave this special drink to Luini. This drink is said to be the first Amaretto.

Famous Amaretto Brands

• DeKuyper – From the Netherlands
• Disaronno – From Italy
• Lazzaroni – From Italy
• Bols – From the Netherlands
• Luxardo – From Italy

How Amaretto is Used

Amaretto is used in many ways, especially in cooking and drinks.

In Cooking

• Amaretto is often added to desserts. This includes ice cream. It gives desserts an almond flavor. It also tastes good with chocolate.
• Tiramisu, a well-known Italian cake, often uses amaretto for flavor. Sometimes, an alcohol-free amaretto flavor is used instead.
• Some savory recipes, like those for chicken, can also use amaretto.
• A small amount of amaretto can be added to pancake batter. This makes the pancakes taste richer.
• It is often used in almondine sauce for fish and vegetables.
• Amaretto is also added to whipped cream.
• It can be used to make amaretto chocolate truffles.

In Mixed Drinks

Amaretto is a main ingredient in many mixed drinks for adults. Here are some examples:

• Amaretto Piña Colada: This drink mixes amaretto with light rum, coconut milk, and pineapple juice.
• Amaretto Sour: This combines amaretto with lemon juice, egg white, and sugar. It is often garnished with an orange slice and cherries.
• French Connection: This is a simple mix of amaretto and Cognac. It is an official cocktail.
• Godfather: This drink uses amaretto and Scotch.
• Nutcracker Martini: This includes amaretto, dark crème de cacao, vodka, and Irish cream.
• Snickerdoodle Cookie Martini: This mixes amaretto with cinnamon liqueur and cinnamon vodka.
• Toasted Almond: This drink combines amaretto, coffee liqueur, and milk or cream. The Roasted Toasted Almond adds vodka.

As a Substitute for Orgeat Syrup

Amaretto is sometimes used instead of Orgeat syrup. This happens when orgeat syrup is hard to find. Amaretto gives a similar almond flavor, but it is less sweet.

See also

In Spanish: Amaretto para niños