Homemade Amaretto Recipe (10 minutes!)
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Craft your own homemade Amaretto in just 10 minutes! Follow our simple guide to yield three 8 oz bottles, perfect for savoring or gifting over the holiday season. A delightful DIY treat!
Little bottles of this make the perfect holiday gift! It’s also fabulous for making cocktails at home (see below for ideas).
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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Did you know you could make your own Amaretto in just 10 minutes?
I love Amaretto during the holidays – this recipe is GREAT for Christmas gifts, or keeping in the cupboard for when cocktail inspiration strikes.
I like it simple, poured over a glass of ice as an after dinner drink. However, if you MUST make cocktails (and I suggest that you must), I have suggestions for those too!
What is Amaretto? It’s an Italian Liqueur – that translates as “a little bitter”
Essentially, it is a simple syrup (white sugar, water), that we add flavoring (almond extract, vanilla extract, vodka, dark brown sugar.
Store bought Amaretto is made with either apricot pits or bitter almonds – or both! I just use almond and vanilla extracts, which make a sweeter flavored beverage.
If you love making homemade items like this, you’ll love my Homemade Caramel Corn, Homemade Chocolate Syrup, and my Homemade Teriyaki Sauce.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Quick and Easy. It takes just 10 minutes to make.
- Simple ingredients. Nothing crazy – you might already have them in the cabinet!
- It makes the a great gift!
- Making Amaretto at home allows you to adjust the flavors and sweetness levels according to your preferences. You can tweak ingredients, ratios, or even add additional elements like spices to make this homemade liqueur truly your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Amaretto typically includes simple syrup (sugar and water), alcohol (like vodka or a neutral spirit), almond extract, and sometimes apricot kernels or peach pit kernels for additional flavor. I don’t use the pits, but you could!
If stored in a cool, dark place and sealed tightly, it can last several months. The alcohol acts as a preservative, but over time, the flavors might change.
No special equipment is needed, though a good sealable bottle or container is necessary for storing the finished product.
I use vodka because it is a neutral flavor, and won’t impart any additional flavors.
How to use Amaretto
- Mrs. Claus Cocktail from Gastronom. The perfect Christmas drink, a boozy and sweet drink with gorgeous egg foam!
- Sparkling Amaretto Sour from Take Two Tapas. Other ingredients include homemade sour mix and lemon sparkling water. Don’t forget the cherry garnish!!!
- Apple Cider Cocktail from Who Needs a Cape. Combines the best flavors in an easy to make adult beverage that’s perfect for fall. You’ll love the combination in this great drink.
Aside from making a variety of cocktails, you could:
- Add to desserts, including ice cream, which enhances the flavor of the dessert with almonds and complements chocolate.
- Tiramisu is often flavored with either real amaretto or alcohol-free amaretto aroma.
- Stir some into a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
- Add to whipping cream for an almond flavor.
- Add to pancake batter!
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes
How to store
Store at room temperature in a cool, dark place and sealed tightly. You can keep it in the refrigerator if you prefer.
Key Recipe Ingredients
Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Water. This is used to make the sugar syrup that forms the base flavor for Amaretto.
- Sugar. I use granulated white sugar and dark brown sugar
- Vodka. Any vodka brand you enjoy. I use the 80 proof vodka from Costco or Absolut.
- Pure almond extract.
- Pure vanilla extract.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
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- Glass bottle. Store it all in one sealed narrow necked bottle, or in several smaller glass bottles for gifting.
- Saucepan. You’ll make a simple syrup and flavor it up with almond and vanilla.
How to make this recipe
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Make the syrup
Combine water and sugars in a saucepan over medium heat.
Heat until mixture is boiling, and all of the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
Stir in the vodka, almond, and vanilla extracts.
Whisk to combine thoroughly, then allow to cool to room temperature.
Pour or strain into sterilized bottles and seal.
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Homemade Amaretto Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 cups vodka
- 2 tablespoons almond extract
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup white sugar, and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat until mixture is boiling, and all of the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in 2 cups vodka, 2 tablespoons almond extract, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, allow to cool to room temperature, then store in sterilized, sealed bottles.
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee
Really good Amaretto recipe. Only suggestion is to let the sugar water mix cool down COMPLETELY (transfer to a cool 4 cup glass for approximately an hour), then put in the vodka and extracts. If the sugar water is too warm, it will evaporated the alcohol content. My husband and I love this recipe and have made three bottles in two months. Amaretto Sours, Amaretto and Pineapple juice, and on the rocks as an after dinner drink are awesome!
Awesome recipe and who knew amaretto was so easy!!! Made this for my family party and everyone was so impressed!
This is amazing! I have been listing today what to make for family and friends for Christmas this year, this is definitely going to be on the list now! Thanks!
I think I need to try this…. asap! Definitely the perfect Christmas gift for some friends!
I love this! I never thought to make my own amaretto! I bet your cleaning lady will love it!