Drink Matron

Category: Booze of the Week – Amaretto

  • What’s in an Alabama Slammer? Seriously.

    There’s something about the Alabama Slammer. When I was bartending, I loved making them, and as an imbiber, I love drinking them.

    Nearly everyone I know enjoys the drink, but almost no one, not even the many bartenders I know, is quite sure exactly what is in them. Not the first five times they’re asked anyway. It’s my belief, actually, that the Alabama Slammer is the reason for the oodles and oodles of bar books decorating tavern backbars all over the world.

    But even the bar books and experts aren’t sure. Stephen Kittredge Cunningham’s The Bartender’s Black Book 9th Edition, lists six separate recipes for the drink. The Ultimate Bar Book by Mittie Helmich has two. Several websites list three to five recipes each, with an accompanying video that shows a completely different version.

    Despite the bevy of variations, one recipe shows up no matter where you look. This is the recipe that I’m the most familiar with, and that I enjoy drinking and making the most. So here it is.

    The Alabama Slammer

    • 1 oz Southern Comfort
    • 1 oz Amaretto
    • 1/2 oz sloe gin
    • Orange Juice

    Combine the Southern Comfort, amaretto and sloe gin in a cocktail glass over ice. Fill with orange juice. Garnish with an orange or cherry. Serve. Also good as a shot.

  • Amaretto Cocktails with a Childhood Twist

    The sweet almondy taste of Amaretto is ideal for the sweetest of cocktails, often reminding us of the tasty candy and drinks we had as children.

    Many mixologists have taken this to heart, and created cocktails that not only spark reminiscence of, but are named after, some of the best childhood memories.

    Bocce Ball

    • 1 oz Amaretto
    • 2 oz Orange Juice
    • Soda Water

    In a shaker, combine the amaretto and orange juice. Pour into a cocktail glass and top with soda.

    Roller Coaster

    • 2 parts Amaretto
    • 3 parts Grapefruit juice

    In a shaker, combine amaretto and grapefruit juice. Shake vigorously. Pour into a cocktail glass and serve.

    Kickstand

    • 1 part Amaretto
    • 1 part Southern Comfort
    • 1 part Kahlua
    • 1 part Irish Creme

    Pour amaretto and Southern Comfort into a highball glass, and layer on Kahlua and Irish cream.

    Tootsie Pop

    • 2 oz Grenadine
    • 5 oz Amaretto
    • 3 oz Lemon Juice
    • 2 drops chocolate syrup

    Layer grenadine, amaretto, and lemon juice, then stir. Add 2 drops of chocolate syrup, let sink, and then serve.

    Candy Apple

    • 2 oz Amaretto
    • 1 oz Butterscotch schnapps
    • Apple Juice

    Combine amaretto and butterscotch schnapps in a cocktail glass over ice. Fill with apple juice.

    Electric Koolaid

    • 1/2 oz Amaretto
    • 1/2 oz Blue Curacao
    • 1/2 oz Southern Comfort
    • 1/2 oz Midori
    • 1/2 oz Cherry Brandy
    • Sour Mix
    • Cranberry Juice
    • Splash of Grenadine

    Pour liqueurs and brandy over ice in a cocktail glass. Fill half with sour mix and half with cranberry juice. Splash with grenadine.

  • Booze of the Week – Amaretto

    Let’s try this again, shall we? Amaretto is one of those liquors that when added to a drink will either make it or break it. This week we’re going to pay homage to that tasty almond spirit we love so very much.