The Best Amaretto Sour You Will Ever Have: Jeffrey Morgenthaler Method

If we’re being technical, the first written mention of any “Sour” or “Fix” cocktail was The Brandy Fix/Sour & The Gin Fix/Sour at Mart Ackermann’s Saloon. It was a hand-written cocktail menu. The Whiskey Sour appeared a few years after that, much later on came the Amaretto Sour, and after that came the Morgenthaler Amaretto Sour… This anointed offspring is proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks! In the early 2010s, Jeffrey Morgenthaler posted a recipe to his website of his idea of an improved Amaretto Sour. Some people balked at the non-traditional method, but the majority of the cocktail world agreed with Jeff… “It’s the best damn Amaretto Sour in the world!”

Here is his recipe and a link to his website - https://jeffreymorgenthaler.com/i-make-the-best-amaretto-sour-in-the-world/

Morgenthaler Method:
1 1/2 oz amaretto
3/4 oz cask strength bourbon
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. 2:1 simple syrup
1/2 oz egg white

He whips all ingredients with a milk frother first to create a foamier texture. Some bartenders will dry shake or reverse dry shake, but I’m slightly lazier-I just make sure not to use too much ice in my tin and shake the heck out of it! Especially when time is tight, I aim for the best results with the fewest steps.
However you whip this up, pour it over ice and garnish with a lemon peel and cherry!
I know some people will say that when the elderly person orders an “Amaretto Sour,” they aren't going to typically expect anything like Morgenthaler’s, but this is where true service comes in. I would use this opportunity, whether I was serving or bartending, and preface with this: “We do our Amaretto Sours the Morgenthaler way. If you haven’t had it this way, you’re in for a treat!” This sets expectations and adds anticipation. As I place the cocktail in front of them, I say, “So this recipe adds a touch of egg white for texture and mellowing the citrus, as well as a small dose of high proof bourbon to balance the sweetness. I hope you enjoy!” If they are the rare person who doesn’t fall in love with it… Oh well. But if their eyes pop open and you see their genuine enjoyment, you just made a typical drink an experience…

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#amaretto #sour #CocktailRecipe #Bartending #mixology

Additional Resources:
https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1133/sour-cocktails/history

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