Still not sure about eggnog for the holidays?  Whip up a batch of Amaretto Eggnog Cocktails using your own homemade Amaretto Liqueur Recipe!  It’s a whole new holiday experience!

MAKING AMARETTO LIQUEUR AT HOME

Amaretto is a popular almond-flavored liqueur that is most often made with apricot kernels, though the flavor can come from almonds.  It initially comes from Italy, and is produced throughout the world today, including the Netherlands and the U.S.  Amaretto is still a favorite liqueur throughout Italy and is a staple in all bars throughout the world.

Amaretto is essential to making some of the most popular cocktails and shooters, like my Amaretto Eggnog Cocktail!

Some people describe the flavor as being bitter from the almonds, but not too much so.   And it’s sweet, but, again, not really that sweet at all.  But one thing I do know for sure, is that the almond liqueur is a lovely post-dinner tipple all by itself. 

When you make your own Amaretto Liqueur, the real magic starts when you combine the bitter-sweet almond liqueur with citrus, cream or other spirits.  Amaretto brings out the flavors in other ingredients and mellows the entire concoction with its smooth bitter aftertaste.  Today’s recipe is the basic one to use as a starting point.

 

If you’ve never enjoyed amaretto before, try it in the Amaretto Eggnog Cocktail recipe further down this post.  I’m betting it will become one of your new favorite holiday libations!

MY HOMEMADE AMARETTO LIQUEUR RECIPE IS THE SECRET TO A FABULOUS EGGNOG COCKTAIL RECIPE!  (recipe card can be found at the bottom of this post)

 

FABULOUS COCKTAILS USING YOUR HOMEMADE AMARETTO LIQUEUR RECIPE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMARETTO SOUR COCKTAIL RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces homemade amaretto liqueur recipe
• 2 ounces Lemon Drop Cocktail Mixer by the Pitcher 
• Garnishes:  Orange slice and 3 Simple Brandy Soaked Cherries 

 

Instructions:

• Put ice into a cocktail shaker.
• Place some ice into a rocks glass.
• Add the Amaretto and Lemon Drop Cocktail Mixer to the shaker, cover and shake for 30 seconds to combine and chill the mixture.
• Strain the cocktail into the prepared rocks glass.
• Garnish with an orange slice and 3 Simple Brandy Soaked Cherries

 

AMARETTO EGGNOG COCKTAIL

So, now you’ve got a homemade amaretto liqueur recipe that’s easy and versatile.  I’ve already given you three cocktail recipes to use your amaretto stash.  Now here’s one more that’s perfect for the winter holiday season, whether you profess to hate eggnog or not!

I’ve combined both amaretto and vodka into a fabulous eggnog cocktail that is crowned with a caramel-gingersnap crusted rim! 

If you’re looking for way to make eggnog a “crowd pleaser” at your holiday party, this recipe fits the bill.

You can prep the Amaretto Eggnog Cocktail glass rims before your guests arrive.  Set them out on an attractive tray with a small bowl and spoon of extra gingersnap crumbs for garnish. 

Are you feeling ambitious?  Try making little star cut-out gingersnaps hangers for the rims of your Amaretto Eggnog Cocktails.  Isn’t that adorable? 

 

AMARETTO EGGNOG COCKTAIL AND FABULOUS EGGNOG GARNISHES

Here’s a list of some great eggnog garnish ideas for your eggnog or amaretto eggnog cocktail:

• Caramel rim
• Crushed peppermint candy rim (adhere with corn syrup)
• Crushed gingersnap cookie crumbs
• Flavored marshmallow cut-out shapes
• Brandy Soaked Cherries
• Nutmeg and cinnamon
• Whipped cream
• Pomegranate seeds
• Finely chopped chocolate

 

HOMEMADE AMARETTO LIQUEUR RECIPE – Amaretto Eggnog Cocktail!

Now who can say they still don’t like eggnog?  Not me, that’s for sure!  I hope you’ll give some or all of these fabulous recipes a try this holiday season.  So easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

 

 

ULTIMATE HOLIDAY BAR CART GUIDE

Once you’ve mastered the technique of making homemade amaretto liqueur, you’ll want to add it to your Holiday Bar Cart, won’t you?  But what else will you need on your bar cart for all your holiday entertaining this season?

If you’re serious about wanting to have your Holiday Bar Cart ready for the holidays, then you’ll need my Ultimate Holiday Bar Cart Guide PDF!  

It’s a comprehensive checklist of all the various categories of items that make up a fabulous holiday entertaining station.

Feel free to customize your holiday bar cart by picking and choosing what’s perfect for your entertaining style and holiday guests.

And once you’ve made and tucked some fabulous homemade garnishes, like Pickled Asparagus, in the refrigerator, your holiday season entertaining just got that much simpler!

Or how about adding some big batch mixers to your cocktail menu this year?  I can personally attest that my Big Batch Bloody Mary Mix Recipe and Cocktail Garnishes For Entertaining A Crowd will be a huge hit with your family and friends.

And wait until you see my Bloody Mary garnish ideas and inspirations!  Yes friends, that’s a thick slice of crispy bacon peeking out from that brunch cocktail!

But, how can you get your copy of the ULTIMATE HOLIDAY BAR CART GUIDE?

 

Want your own ULTIMATE HOLIDAY BAR CART GUIDE, but you’re not on our list yet? 

Why not join in on the fun!

Fill out the form below and I’ll send you a copy as a thank you for joining the IFAFL Email Subscriber List.

As a Ingredients For A Fabulous Life Subscriber, you’ll also get instant access to the IFAFL Resource Library and receive our twice-weekly emails.  What are you waiting for?  You don’t want to miss out on anything fabulous, do you? 

There’s always something fabulous happening here at Ingredients For A Fabulous Life, don’t you want to stay in the loop?  

And while you’re at it, come join the gang in our Facebook group and get in on the gabfest at, The Fab Life!  That’s where we show off our triumphs and share our pursuit of “the good life” with each other all week long.  

 

 

Amaretto Liqueur Recipe

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 7 days

Total Time: 7 days 20 minutes

A little bitter from almonds, but yet sweet and smooth like velvet on your tongue. Try this easy Homemade Amaretto Liqueur recipe to include in your Ultimate Holiday Bar Cart.

Print

Ingredients

• 2 cups vodka
• 2 vanilla beans, split
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 Tbsp. almond extract (use a good quality brand)

Instructions

1. Place sugars into a small saucepan with 1 cup of water and stir to combine.
2. Over medium heat, bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer until all sugar crystals are dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
4. Pour cooled sugar syrup into a sterile glass container with a cover.
5. Add vodka, vanilla beans and almond extract and stir to combine.
6. Let stand for 7-10 days at room temperature. Strain mixture through fine cheesecloth and return to its container.

Notes

Your homemade amaretto will last about 6 months if kept at room temperature in a dark location.

Nutrition Information

Yield 20 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 102Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 12gFiber 0gSugar 12gProtein 0g

Amaretto Eggnog Cocktail

Yield: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Served with a caramel-gingersnap encrusted rim, this creamy cocktail packs a little punch with its crunch!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces homemade amaretto liqueur recipe
• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 4 ounces eggnog (store bought is great!)
• Dusting of freshly grated nutmeg
• Caramel sauce
• Gingersnap cookie crumbs

Instructions

1. Pour gingersnap crumbs onto a plate slightly larger than your cocktail glass rim. Do the same for caramel sauce, pouring it into a circle about the size of your glass' rim.
2. Dip rim of glass in caramel sauce and then immediately dip into the cookie crumbs. Turn glass upright. and let dry. (you can do this step ahead of party and have a tray of glasses ready to fill)
3. To assemble cocktail: Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
4. Add amaretto, vodka and eggnog to shaker. Cover and shake for one minute to combine and chill cocktail.
5. Strain into a caramel-gingersnap rimmed glass, dust with freshly grated nutmeg and serve.

Nutrition Information

Yield 1 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 499Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 75mgSodium 249mgCarbohydrates 57gFiber 1gSugar 52gProtein 7g