Disaronno Sour Cocktail

The classic Disaronno Sour is the ideal balance of sweet and sour. All you need is a handful of ingredients to make this classy cocktail. Our recipe breaks it down step-by-step so you can make it easily at home!

about this disaronno sour

Say hello to the Disaronno Sour – a simple cocktail that looks elevated and sophisticated, but is deceivingly simple to make.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. “Disaronno? Isn’t that some fancy Italian liqueur?” Well, yes. But don’t let that intimidate you!

I was first introduced to Disaronno back in college when I knew a guy who was OBSESSED with it. To me, this 30-something guy was totally classy as he sipping the nutty liqueur over ice whenever we hung out. I never was converted to drinking it straight, but I fell in love with turning it into cocktails when I first tasted a Disaronno sour.

I first discovered this gem of a drink at a fancy cocktail bar, where the bartender mixed it up with such flair that I thought, “I could never make that at home.” But then I did some research (and by research, I mean I asked the bartender for the recipe after a couple of drinks 😉), and it turns out, it’s actually super easy to make.

This is one of my favorite cocktails to make to celebrate at the end of a meal, whether it’s a party or it’s a random Friday night while I catch up on Bridgerton… IYKYK.

So let’s dive into what makes this cocktail so tasty!

ingredients

Disaronno. An amaretto liqueur, this is the primary ingredient in the disaronno sour!

bourbon. Use your favorite bourbon for this cocktail. We reach for a nice mid-price range option like Bulleit or Woodford Reserve.

lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice will give this cocktail the best possible flavor! You can also use store bought lemon juice, but note that it is usually more tart than fresh lemon juice. Do not use sour mix as it will alter the final flavor.

simple syrup. we make out own simple syrup, since all you need is equal parts water and sugar. Here’s how to make simple syrup if you would like the full tutorial! You can also purchase the sugar syrup at the store (grocery store or liquor store).

egg white. While the egg white is optional, we highly recommend using to to achieve the foamy topping for the drink.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this cocktail, you will need the standard cocktail making equipment. You will need a jigger to measure ingredients, a cocktail shaker to make the cocktail, and a cocktail strainer.

We like to serve this cocktail in coupe glasses!

here’s how to make a disaronno sour

shake

Pour in all of the ingredients to an empty shaker. Shake well to build up the foam. This will take about 15 to 30 seconds.

shake again

Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker. Shake again until chilled.

serve

Strain into your favorite cocktail glass. Garnish with brandy cherries or a lemon slice, as desired.

tips and tricks

chill the glass! For a frosted glass finish, fill your cocktail glass with ice or pop it in the freezer as you make the cocktail. Remove the ice before pouring in the cocktail.

shake well, both times. The first time you shake the cocktail without ice is to build up the foam. The second time you shake it is to chill it well with ice!

adjust flavoring as desired. You can take a sip straight from the shaker before serving it if you want! Then you can easily adjust the cocktail if you want it sweeter (add more simple syrup) or more sour (add more lemon juice).

More shaken cocktails to sip on: Cherry Vodka Sour | Aperol Sour | Sparkling Whiskey Sour | Jameson Whiskey Sour

do I have to use the egg white?

You do not have to use the egg white in the cocktail if you prefer not to. The egg white is what gives the cocktail its foamy top, so you will miss out on that textural element!

what is Disaronno?

Disaronno is an Italian liqueur which is a brand of amaretto. Amaretto has a unique almond flavor, and this particular brand has been around since 1525. Funny enough, the liqueur doesn’t contain any actually almonds! It is a blend of herbs, fruits, and burnt sugar with a warming finish.

I don’t have a cocktail shaker! What can I use instead?

You can use a mason jar or any jar with a lid that seals well.

Need some inspiration for happy hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a disaronno sour

Amaretto is best paired with flavors like chocolate, citrus, red fruits like red plums, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Since it is usually served after dinner, we suggest pairing this cocktail with dessert! Here are some ideas to get you started:

A decadent chocolate bourbon caramel tart is incredibly easy to make! It’s one of those wow-worthy desserts that doesn’t require a ton of steps or complicated technique.

Triple chocolate brownies are our favorite brownie recipe ever!

Blackberry lemon icebox cake is a no-bake dessert that’s citrusy and bright.

For something more like a simple sweet snack, crockpot cinnamon almonds are perfect for a party.

more sour cocktail recipes

One of my favorite sour cocktails is this cherry amaretto sour. You can even use Disaronno in this recipe. It’s perfect for summertime!

For another cherry sour cocktail, this cherry bourbon sour is ideal for bourbon lovers.

A classic Boston sour is made with just a handful of ingredients for a balanced sweet and sour cocktail.

If you love amaretto, try this Italian amaretto margarita!

Finally, if you make this disaronno sour recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

Want to know when I come out with a new recipe or the latest news? Sign up for my newsletter!