Amaretto is the Italian liqueur flavored with bitter-almond notes and traditionally used in an Amaretto Sour.
Its name comes from amaro, meaning “bitter,” with the diminutive ending suggesting a mild bitterness. Commercial amaretto may be flavored with almonds, apricot kernels, or a blend of botanicals, so the almond-like character does not always come exclusively from almonds. It is typically sweet and amber-colored.
The liqueur is associated with Saronno in Lombardy, where the Disaronno brand developed one of the best-known commercial versions. Amaretto is used in cocktails, desserts, and coffee. It should not be confused with amaro, a broader category of bitter Italian herbal liqueurs that is usually less sweet and more bitter.