Non-Alcoholic Amaretto Sour

The Amaretto Sour is a non-alcoholic version of the classic sour: an almond-forward, citrusy drink with a silky foam cap, made with alcohol-free amaretto, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white.

Ingredients in the Non-Alcoholic Amaretto Sour

• 2 oz of Non-Alcoholic Lyre's - Amaretti - Amaretto
• 1 oz of fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz of simple syrup
• 1 egg white (or 0.75 oz of aquafaba for a vegan version)
• 2 dashes of aromatic bitters (optional)
• Garnish: an orange slice and a cherry

How to Prepare the Amaretto Sour?

Preparing a non-alcoholic Amaretto Sour is simple, and the foam is easier to get than you might think.

Follow these 3 steps for a smooth, foamy mocktail:

1. Dry Shake: Pour the amaretto, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white into a cocktail shaker with no ice. Shake hard for about 15 seconds to whip up the foam.
2. Shake with Ice: Add plenty of ice and shake again for another 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels frost-cold.
3. Strain & Serve: Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Let the foam settle, add a couple of dashes of bitters on top, and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Why do People Love the Amaretto Sour?

People love the Amaretto Sour because it delivers the same warm, nutty sweetness and bright citrus snap as the classic, without the alcohol. Made non-alcoholic, the almond and fresh lemon actually come through cleaner, with no liquor burn to cover them. The velvety foam makes it feel like a real treat, which is what turns a simple mocktail into something you serve to guests.

Amaretto Sour Variations to Consider

Once you have the base down, the Amaretto Sour is easy to make your own:

• Vegan Amaretto Sour: Swap the egg white for 0.75 oz of aquafaba (chickpea brine) for the same glossy foam, fully plant-based.
• Cherry Amaretto Sour: Muddle a couple of cherries in the shaker, or add a splash of cherry juice, to lean into the drink's stone-fruit side.
• Orgeat Amaretto Sour: No amaretto on hand? Use 1.5 oz of orgeat (almond syrup) with a drop of almond extract, and skip the simple syrup.
• Amaretto Sour on the Rocks: Skip the egg white entirely and build it over ice for a lighter, foam-free version in under two minutes.

Get Your Non-Alcoholic Amaretto at Upside Drinks!

A great Amaretto Sour starts with a quality amaretto alternative. Upside Drinks carries Lyre's Amaretti and a curated selection of alcohol-free spirits that mix beautifully into cocktails like this one. It is an easy way to upgrade your mocktails and enjoy an authentic amaretto flavour at home.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Amaretto Sour

What is the best non-alcoholic substitute for amaretto?

A dedicated alcohol-free amaretto such as Lyre's Amaretti is the closest match, capturing the almond, vanilla and stone-fruit notes of the original. In a pinch, orgeat (almond syrup) with a drop of almond extract will also do the job.

Do I have to use egg white?

No. Egg white gives the classic thick foam, but 0.75 oz of aquafaba (the brine from a can of chickpeas) creates the same effect and keeps the drink vegan. You can also skip the foam entirely and serve it on the rocks.

Is a non-alcoholic Amaretto Sour sweet?

It is balanced rather than sugary. The fresh lemon keeps the almond sweetness in check. Aim for roughly two parts sweet to one part sour, then taste and add a little more lemon if you prefer it sharper.

Do I need a cocktail shaker?

A shaker is recommended, because the dry shake is what builds the signature foam. If you do not have one, you can shake the ingredients in a sealed jar, or stir vigorously for a foam-free version.

Can I make it ahead for a party?

You can batch the amaretto, lemon juice and simple syrup in advance and refrigerate. Add the egg white and shake fresh per serving, since the foam is best made to order.