The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Culture & Lifestyle›Beverages›Amaretto
Culture & Lifestyle • Beverages

Amaretto

Amaretto is an Italian liqueur known for its sweet, almond-like flavour and gentle bitterness.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Amaretto is an Italian liqueur known for its sweet, almond-like flavour and gentle bitterness. It is commonly made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, and is used in cocktails, coffee, and desserts. In Canada, amaretto is widely available through liquor retailers and is commonly used in home bartending and dessert recipes.

Origin and name

Amaretto is generally described as an Italian liqueur with origins in Saronno. Its name is a diminutive of the Italian word *amaro*, meaning bitter, reflecting its mild bitter note.

Ingredients and flavour

Different brands use different bases, including almonds, apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or other stone fruits. These ingredients create the liqueur’s distinctive almond-like aroma and taste.

Uses

Amaretto is often served as an after-dinner drink, but it is also used in mixed drinks such as the amaretto sour. It is common in coffee drinks and in desserts, cakes, and other sweet recipes.

Alcohol content and style

Amaretto is a sweet liqueur that usually falls in the low-to-mid 20% ABV range, though sources describe it as generally under 30% ABV. It is typically amber to dark-golden in colour.

Key facts

  • Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur with an almond-like flavour.
  • The flavour may come from almonds, apricot kernels, peach stones, or similar stone-fruit pits.
  • Its name is related to the Italian word for 'bitter'.
  • It is commonly served neat, on the rocks, in coffee, or in cocktails.
  • It is also used in Italian cooking, especially desserts and baked goods.
🍁
Canadian context

Amaretto is widely available in Canada through liquor retailers and is commonly used in Canadian home bartending, coffee drinks, and dessert recipes.

Frequently asked questions

What is amaretto?
Amaretto is an Italian almond-flavoured liqueur with a sweet taste and a mild bitter note.
What does amaretto taste like?
It tastes sweet, nutty, and almond-like, with some bitterness depending on the brand.
What is amaretto made from?
It is commonly made from almonds or stone-fruit kernels such as apricot, peach, or similar pits.
How is amaretto usually consumed?
It is often drunk neat or on ice, mixed into cocktails, added to coffee, or used in desserts.
How strong is amaretto?
It usually contains about 21% to 28% alcohol by volume, and is generally under 30% ABV.

References

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amaretto
    Supports: Defines amaretto as an almond-flavoured liqueur and notes the related macaroon sense.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaretto
    Supports: States amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur from Saronno, gives typical ingredients and ABV range, and describes common uses.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/amaretto
    Supports: Describes amaretto as an Italian liqueur made from alcohol infused with stone-fruit pits or almonds and notes its alcohol content is less than 30%.
  4. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/amaretto
    Supports: Defines amaretto as a sweet alcoholic drink made from almonds and notes the related Italian cookie sense.
  5. Food Network — https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-amaretto
    Supports: Explains flavour, common ingredients, colour, and uses in cocktails, coffee, and neat service.