Amaretto

For other uses, see Amaretto (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with amoretto or amaretti di Saronno.

Bottles of amaretto liqueur.

Amaretto (Italian for "a little bitter") is a sweet Italian liqueur that originated in Saronno, Italy. While originally flavoured from bitter almonds, various modern commercial brands are prepared from a base of apricot stones, peach stones, or almonds, all of which are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that provides the principal almond-like flavour of the liqueur.

When served as a beverage, amaretto can be drunk by itself, used as an ingredient to create several popular mixed drinks, or added to coffee. Amaretto is also commonly used in culinary applications.

Origin

Etymology

The name amaretto originated as a diminutive of the Italian word amaro, meaning "bitter," which references the distinctive flavour lent by the mandorla amara or by the drupe kernel. However, the bitterness of amaretto tends to be mild, and sweeteners (and sometimes sweet almonds) enhance the flavour in the final products. Thus one can interpret the liqueur's name as a description of the taste as "a little bitter". Cyanide is processed out of the almond preparation prior to its use.

One should not confuse amaretto with amaro, a different family of Italian liqueurs that, while also sweetened, have a stronger bitter flavour derived from herbs.

Legend

Despite the known history on the introduction and acceptance of almonds into Italian cuisine, newer takes on the meanings and origins have been popularized by two major brands. Though of sometimes questionable factuality, these tales hold a sentimental place in Saronno culture:

In 1525, a Saronno church commissioned artist Bernardino Luini, one of Leonardo da Vinci's pupils, to paint its sanctuary with frescoes. As the church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Luini needed to depict the Madonna, but was in need of a model. He found his inspiration in a young widowed innkeeper, who became his model and (in most versions) lover. Out of gratitude and affection, the woman wished to give him a gift. Her simple means did not permit much, so she steeped apricot kernels in brandy and presented the resulting concoction to a touched Luini.

Notable brands

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

Usage

Amaretto serves a variety of culinary uses.

Cooking

• Amaretto is frequently added to desserts, including ice cream, which enhances the flavour of the dessert with almonds and is complementary to the flavor of chocolate. Tiramisu, a popular Italian cake, is often flavoured with either real amaretto or alcohol-free amaretto aroma.
• Savoury recipes that call for amaretto usually involve meats, such as chicken.
• A few shots of amaretto can be added to pancake batter for a richer flavour.
• Amaretto is often added to almondine sauce for fish and vegetables.
• Amaretto is often added to whipped cream.

Beverages

Some popular cocktails highlight Amaretto liqueur as a primary ingredient.

• Amaretto Piña Colada - Amaretto liqueur, light rum, coconut milk, and pineapple juice.
• Amaretto Sour (and variants) - Amaretto liqueur, lemon (or other citrus) juice, and sometimes various popular enhancements.
• French Connection - Amaretto liqueur and Cognac.
  An IBA Official Cocktail
• Godfather - Amaretto liqueur and Scotch.
  An IBA Official Cocktail
• Nutcracker Martini - Amaretto liqueur, dark crème de cacao, vodka, and Irish cream.
• Snickerdoodle Cookie Martini - Amaretto liqueur, cinnamon liqueur, and cinnamon vodka.

Amaretto is sometimes used as a substitute for Orgeat Syrup in places where the syrup cannot be found, or just to impart a less sweet flavour.

See also

• List of cocktails
• List of almond dishes

External links

• Media related to Amaretto liqueurs at Wikimedia Commons