almond liqueur in a bucket

Today’s drink? Amaretto on the rocks with an orange twist. Essentially, it’s an almond liqueur. This liqueur is made in my California kitchen, not in Italy. Despite that, I still feel a little Italian when I enjoy it. You may feel the same way too.

Before we start making it, what is amaretto? Amaretto is a nutty, vanilla-tasting liqueur with a slightly bitter flavor and a cherry finish. The first amaretto was said to be made in the 1500’s by a couple in Saronno, Italy. It is recommend to be consumed as a digestif or shaken with an egg white for a sour cocktail. It can also be served neat, on the rocks (my choice today), alongside coffee, or with scotch (one of my favorites).

Making your own amaretto can impress your guests. I have brought this and my Irish cream (premium content recipe coming soon) to many a dinner parties and given them as hostess and holiday gifts. The rich bottled goodness could be mistaken and rival those on the shelves in our markets, proving a perfect toast to perfection. If I so say so myself..

For the almond liqueur

Ingredients:

1 gallon water

6 cups of sugar

1 x 16 ounces of dark corn syrup

1 Tablespoon of decaf coffee

2 ounces of vanilla

3 ounces of almond extract

2 pints of vodka

Method:

Combine water, sugar and corn syrup and boil for 50 minutes. Add instant coffee and cool. When cool add extracts and vodka. Store in a glass jar with a lid or vessel of choice.

For the drink

2 ounces of almond liqueur

Orange twist

Pour 2 ounces of almond liqueur over ice. Express twist and rim the glass. Toss peel into glass.

Glass: bucket glass

Garnish: neatly trimmed orange peel (show and tell making of orange peel garnish click here)

Please drink responsibly and be of the legal drinking age

Where to buy the goods? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront.

*please know I may receive commissions for eligible purchases, thank you so much.