Amaretto - what kind of liquor? How and with what to drink amaretto?

Liqueurs - the category of alcoholic beverages, which deserves special attention. Special status is given to them by a specific combination of sweetness and alcohol. There are so many varieties and recipes of liquors today that even those who do not particularly like this type of drinks in their most classical form will be able to pick up something to their liking. Some of them insist on certain fruits, others on mint, and third on cocoa.

One of the most popular liqueurs today is the amaretto. This drink comes from the Apennine peninsula, which has a rich, unique taste.

What is amaretto?

A typical amaretto has a medium density and a warm brownish color. The main ingredient of this liqueur is almonds, which is felt both in smell, and in taste and aftertaste, opening from sweetness and ending in a bitter note.

However, almonds are not the only component present in this drink. Amaretto is also a combination of the nucleoli of apricot, vanilla, grape syrup, spices and fragrant roots. Almond bitterness is somewhat softened by this composition and has unusually pleasant properties. The fortress of the drink is from 21 to 28%.

A real amaretto is produced exclusively in square bottles with a square stopper. This form was quite original in the 1500s. They invented her Murano glass blowers for the sole purpose - that lovers of this liquor could find it in their cellars, even to the touch.

History of creation

The first amaretto appeared in Italy in the 16th century. According to some sources, this liqueur was made by one of the members of the family of Desaronno. The same is said about the current name of the drink - the classic variety is named only as Disaronno Originale.

However, with the emergence of amaretto, another very romantic legend is connected. According to her, in one of the monasteries in Saronno it was required to perform the painting of walls and ceiling. For this, the artist was hired, who was neither much nor less - a pupil of Leonardo da Vinci himself. Inspiration, he drew in a love relationship with the mistress of a local inn, an amazingly beautiful woman. They say that the image of the Madonna herself was written from her. Despite all the tenderness, lovers due to some circumstances could not connect their destinies, and on the day of separation this woman presented Bernardino Luini (the artist's name) to the self-prepared liqueur-amaretto. It simultaneously symbolized the sweetness of their love and the bitterness of parting.

Amaretto Properties

Alcohol in immodest amounts is detrimental to the body and causes addiction. This liquor is no exception. But at the same time in small doses the drink has some useful qualities. It is important only to know how to drink Amaretto, and also to understand what effect it has on our body.

Due to the presence of a large amount of almonds, liqueur is to some extent an antioxidant: it is used for the prevention of neoplastic diseases and the stabilization of the nervous system. In addition, Amaretto improves digestion and is therefore recommended for use after a plentiful meal.

Types of amaretto and their cost

In Russian stores, in addition to the Disaronno Amaretto Originale itself, today you can find the following amaretto brands:

• San Giorgio;
• San Marco;
• San Lorenzo;
• Paganini;
• Florence.

Their cost is somewhat different. For example, Disaronno and Florence are the most expensive liqueurs from the amaretto series. The price for one bottle of 0.7 liters is about 1600 rubles. The average cost is the brand San Giorgio and Paganini: they can be purchased for 750-800 rubles. And, finally, the most inexpensive are San Marco and San Lorenzo. 0.5 L is a typical volume for such amaretto. The price is very democratic. So, you can buy such a drink for only 250-300 rubles.

Amaretto liquor: with what to drink?

The rules for using this liqueur are simple enough: they drink it on their own, and also as an accompaniment to hot soft drinks, desserts and juices. Especially good is the amaretto in combination with:

• Chocolate, coffee and black tea;
• Cold cola;
• Orange or cherry juice;
• Cake, cake, profiteroles and creams.

In addition, with amaretto, excellent cocktails are obtained. Drink allowed to mix with bailis, soda, tequila, rum, champagne, whiskey, vodka and brandy. The main thing is to take all the ingredients in equal proportions, the recommended volume of which should be from 30 to 50 ml.

You do not like to mix drinks, but do not know how to drink an amaretto separately? In this case, pour a little liquor in a glass or a glass with a low leg and throw a few pieces of ice.

Mistresses can be advised to add amaretto to pastries: various cakes, clafuti, parfait, muffins, cookies, pies, soret, cupcakes and cheesecake on a chocolate-almond basis will acquire a new flavor.

Recipe for homemade liquor

Amaretto is a drink that does not necessarily have to be bought in a supermarket. Liqueur is quite possible to make at home, using a minimum of ingredients that are easily found in any store.

To make a homemade amaretto, you will need:

• Almonds - 100 g;
• Apricot / peach kernels - 100 g;
• Ordinary vodka - 0.5 liters;
• Boiled water - 0,5 l;
• Sugar - 400g.

Peel the almonds and crush it thoroughly together with the kernels. Put the mixture in a container, pour it with vodka, seal it tightly and put it in a pantry for 30 days. After the lapse of time, take out the billet and start to cook the syrup. To do this, mix the water and sugar in a saucepan, and then put it on the fire. When the future liquor boils, remove the pan from the plate.

Now you can strain the stock and mix it with the syrup. Pour out the resulting liquid over sterilized bottles and again take them to the pantry - now no less than 3 months.

The term is long enough, but the result fully justifies it. After all, the taste of a homemade amaretto is as close to a shop as possible, and it can also be added to cocktails and desserts.

In Russia, the amaretto appeared in the late 1970s, and has since become one of the most loved foreign spirits. The memorable taste, the appropriateness of eating after dinner or dinner, a pleasant relaxing effect is what primarily characterizes the amaretto liqueur. With what to drink it today, and how - it's mostly a matter of personal taste. However, remember that, like other alcohol, this drink should not be abused.