Amaretto is a liqueur that is well-known to many as a popular ingredient that is used in several Italian desserts (including Tiramisu), chocolates, ice-creams, and more. It is also, of course, enjoyed in its own right and is used to make cocktails and mixed drinks. For foodies who are planning a vacation in Italy who love to try local tipples, it is definitely a must-try if you have not yet already had the opportunity to sample this classic liqueur.
Originally from the town of Saronno in Lombardy, there are several Italian brands today with Disaronno being undeniably the most well-known among them. Coming from the Italian for, “a little bitter,” this is, funnily enough, actually a sweet Italian liqueur though there is some mild bitterness. Made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, depending on the brand, these are all natural sources of benzaldehyde, which lends its almond-like flavour.
As with many of Italy’s most popular and long-standing culinary favourites, the exact origins of amaretto is unclear but a local Saronno tale is near and dear to the hearts of residents. This says that, in the 16th century, the artist Bernardino Luini, a pupil to Leonardo da Vinci, was commissioned to paint frescoes in the sanctuary of the local church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He needed a model for his image of the Madonna and found a young widowed innkeeper to sit for his painting. In most versions of the tale, she also became his lover and wished to give him a gift. Having little to offer him, she is said to have steeped apricot kernels in brandy and presented the beverage to Luini - this was the precursor to amaretto.
Whether or not this is actually where the drink came from, Saronno still holds the claim to the origins of amaretto and is where local families and companies have been making the drink for centuries. The beloved Disaronno has been produced in the town since the 20th century. So, if you find a vacation rental in Lombardy, you really should seek out this local treat in whatever form you most prefer!
Once you have planned your dream holiday in Italy and are enjoying a stay in one of our villas in Lombardy, why not pick up a bottle of Disaronno, head back to your own kitchen or hang out al fresco and prepare an Amaretto Sour cocktail to enjoy as you unwind after a day of exploring the area? Here is our recipe for this classic cocktail featuring this quintessentially Italian and delicious liqueur...
Ingredients:
Makes one cocktail.
45ml of Amaretto
90ml of sour mix
Ice
1 egg
1 cherry
Orange/lemon wedge
Method:
1. In order to prepare the sour mix, combine equal parts lemon and/or lime juice with simple syrup and shake vigorously with ice. Or, if you want, you can often buy a pre-mixed version in liquor stores nowadays.
2. Dry-shake (without ice) the mix, the Amaretto, and an egg (if you want to serve it with the modern egg white foam common to the drink) in a cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until chilled.
4. Strain into a rocks glass either over fresh ice or straight-up (without ice in the glass served to you).
5. Garnish with the orange/lemon wedge and cherry.
6. Enjoy as you dive into the culinary heritage of Italy on your travels and then maybe bring a bottle of Disaronno home as a perfect souvenir so you can reminisce about your foodie adventures or as a gift to the neighbour who took care of your plants while you were away.