Amaretto is an Italian liqueur distinguished by a sweet taste with a pronounced almond and spiced aroma. Its history traces back to 16th-century Italy and is tied to family production secrets and romantic legends.
The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 opened the way for Western products into Russia, and Amaretto rode the wave of exotic spirits that captured the imagination of Russian consumers. The reaction among Russian consumers was overwhelmingly positive. Amaretto offered a taste of the West — refined, smooth, and versatile. It became a symbol of a new era, a break from the vodka-drinking culture of the Soviet period.
The arrival of Amaretto in Russia in the early 1990s was an important event, symbolizing the country’s opening up to global tastes and foreign spirits. Before then, Russian consumers had been limited to Soviet liqueurs and cordials, and foreign alcohol rarely made it onto store shelves.
The story of Amaretto begins in 1525 in the small Italian town of Saronno. According to legend, the talented painter Bernardino Luini, a student of Leonardo da Vinci himself, came there to work on the paintings of the local church and stayed with a widow, who inspired him to create an image of the Madonna. In gratitude for the portrait, the widow presented the artist with a homemade drink made from apricot kernels, which became the prototype of modern Amaretto. This drink took its name from the Italian word *amaro*, meaning “bitter,” with the diminutive suffix *etto* added, hinting at the softness and sweetness of its flavor.
The liqueur’s recipe was kept secret for a long time. Only in the early 20th century did the Reina family, descendants of the woman who had hosted Luini, begin industrial production of the liqueur under the brand *Disaronno Amaretto Originale*. Production uses apricot kernels, almonds, vanilla, and spices, giving the drink its characteristic sweet, slightly tart flavor.
Amaretto is known for its rich, full-bodied taste, which includes notes of apricot kernel, almond, cinnamon, and vanilla. Though it’s called an “almond liqueur,” its flavor is actually built on apricot kernels, which give the drink its distinctive aroma. Its sweetness is balanced by a light bitterness, and its syrupy texture allows the liqueur to be used neat as well as in cocktails and desserts.
The best-known brands producing Amaretto remain Disaronno and Lazzaroni. In recent years, however, many other producers have introduced their own variations of the drink.
Popular Ways to Drink Amaretto, and Recipes
Amaretto has become a sought-after ingredient in cocktails and desserts, and is also popular neat over ice. Here are a few popular ways to enjoy it:
- Neat: Amaretto is drunk over ice, savoring its rich almond flavor.
- Cocktails:
- Amaretto Sour: amaretto, fresh lemon juice, and syrup, often served with a cherry and a lemon wedge.
- French Connection: a blend of cognac and Amaretto.
- Coffee with Amaretto: adding the liqueur to coffee gives the drink richness and a spiced aroma.
- Desserts: Amaretto is used in baking, in creams, in tiramisu, and as a syrup to soak cake layers.
Today Amaretto remains popular in Russia. It is widely available in stores and restaurants, and is often used in cocktails and desserts. The liqueur has become an integral part of Russian culture and its drinking scene.