7 Best Amaretto Substitutes (Alternatives to Amaretto)

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Do you like using Amaretto liquor in your dishes? Are you growing tired of the taste and want to try something new, perhaps a few Amaretto substitutes?

There’s no other liquor that’s exactly the same as Amaretto, but we’ve got all the best, most similarly matched alternatives coming up.

Each will imbue your dishes with a unique flavor, leaving it tasting phenomenal without everyone’s favorite almond liqueur. 

What Is Amaretto?

Amaretto is a sweet liquor flavored with almonds. The Italian liqueur Amaretto literally translates to “a little bitter,” hinting towards the delicious bittersweet taste of this long-running favorite.

From its origins in Saronno, a commune of Lombardy, Amaretto has spread to become one of the world’s favorite almond liqueurs.

Its earliest use can be traced back to the 1500s when one of Leonardo da Vinci’s students received a gift of steeped apricot kernels in brandy, and the recipe has evolved ever since.

Today, most brands use a recipe including apricot kernels and the stones of either peaches or almonds (or both) bitter almonds and apricot kernels.

What is Amaretto Used For?

The distinctive but mild flavor of Amaretto is perfect as a drink by itself or as a mixer for various cocktails.

Amaretto sours, the Alabama Slammer, and various other favorites like Almond Joy and the Italian Sunset are favorite drinks that all call for this vital ingredient.

It’s just as tasty in coffee, and Amaretto is added to a range of other recipes to instill a bittersweet almond flavor.

Cooking with Amaretto is just as popular, with this tasty Italian liqueur pairing great with cakes, jams, ice cream, and other desserts.

Best Amaretto Substitutes

Here are the five best Amaretto substitutes available. We’ve tried and tested each of these liqueurs and extracts and can vouch for their rich, sweet taste that’s a near-match to the Italian classic.

Each will ramp up flavor in your desserts and drinks. 

1. Hazelnut Liqueur – The #1 Amaretto Substitute

Hazelnut liquor is one of the first items to come to mind when talking about flavorful booze. It’s one of the absolute best Amaretto substitutes available.

You’ll find it readily available in bottle stores around the world. Similar to Amaretto, Hazelnut liqueur is a nut-flavored liquor that contains alcohol.

Amaretto’s alcohol concentration ranges between 21% and 28%, whereas a good hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico arrives at just 20%. 

The taste of hazelnut liqueur will be similar to Amaretto but forsakes almonds for the sweetener, nuttier flavor of hazelnuts. It’s an excellent alternative to use in coffee and baking.

Cakes and muffins come out creamy and decadent, with the taste of alcohol usually being baked away leaving nothing but a nuttiness.

Whether you’re looking for a substitute for cocktails or cooking, hazelnut liqueur is a fantastic option. 

2. Almond Extract – Top Non-Alcoholic Amaretto Substitute

It may not be a liquor, but almond extract is an outstanding Amaretto substitute. Most extracts are either extracted from top-quality almonds or made directly from pure almond oil.

The high-caliber manufacturing results in a rich Almond taste which is blended with neutral, flavorless ethyl alcohol. This grants the alcohol its long-lasting shelf life thanks to being a preservative. 

Almond extract is an extremely concentrated liquid that imparts an intensely strong almond flavor. Just like raw almonds, almond extract is slightly bitter.

When added to almond-flavored dishes and drinks, it delivers the perfect balance between sweet and bitter.

When substituting, don’t make the mistake of adding the same volume of almond extract as Amaretto. All you need is a teaspoon or two to add a similar flavor to your drinks or meals. 

3. Marzipan

You’ve probably eaten a lot of marzipan, and if you’re fond of baking, then it’s undoubtedly a favorite go-to.

Many cakes and desserts contain marzipan but did you know you can use it to impart almond flavor to your drinks and recipes? Marzipan is made from almonds, sugar, egg whites, and corn syrup.

It has a sweet candy flavor and a smooth texture. Either mix marzipan with hot water to create a syrup to add to your cocktails or recipes or melt a little marzipan straight into coffee or over a dessert. 

If you can’t find marzipan in your favorite grocer or supermarket, make your own. Here’s an easy marzipan recipe to follow:

• Blanch 1 1/2 cups of almonds by bringing them to a boil in a pot and letting them boil for one minute, exactly
• Rinse the almonds after blanching and squeeze each one to get rid of the skin
• Pulse your blanched, peeled almonds in a food processor or blender until a powdery, flour-like consistency is reached
• Add 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons of almond extract, and 1 teaspoon rose water to the food processor or blender and continue to pulse until there are no more lumps
• Add 1 egg white and continue processing until you’ve got a thick, smooth dough (add more sugar and almonds until the mix is smooth)
• Work the marzipan on a flat surface, kneading it to shape a log
• Store the marzipan log in plastic wrap and keep refrigerated for up to six months

4. Coffee Liquor

Coffee liqueur may not have the taste of nuts, but the bold flavor is exactly what you’re looking for by adding Amaretto to your drinks or recipes.

You lack the almond, but the intensity of the coffee is perfect. If you’re a coffee-lover, then this is one amaretto substitute you have to try.

Most good coffee liqueurs arrive at around 20% alcohol which puts them on par with hazelnut liqueurs. There are many options out there.

Be on the lookout for a liqueur-like Kahlua or Baileys Irish Cream. 

Whether you’re whipping up a coffee-based cocktail or baking a coffee cake, this is one alternative that you’ll keep coming back to.

Drinks like the famous White Russian include coffee liqueur as a core ingredient, but any cocktail featuring Amaretto can use coffee instead.

You’ll often be blown away by just how pleasantly different your favorite decadent drinks and desserts come out. 

5. Chocolate Liquor

Chocolate is a forerunning favorite flavor of most of the world’s population. It should come as no surprise that chocolate liqueur is a great Amaretto substitute.

Once again, you don’t get the bold taste of almonds or nuts, but the complex dimensions of chocolatey flavor are unbeatable in so many desserts, drinks, and baked items. 

There are tons of options at your disposal when deciding to substitute chocolate liqueur for Amaretto. Kahlua is a favorite of many, while Tempus Fugit Crème De Cacao should be held as a high-end option.

Another reliable contender for top chocolate liquor is Godiva’s decadent Belgian Dark Chocolate Liqueur. 

6. Anisette 

Anisette is a fantastic substitute for Amaretto that is flavored with Anise.

It’s far sweeter than other anise-flavored spirits like absinthe, giving meals, drinks, and cocktails a unique anise and licorice flavor.

You’ll find Anisette to be far stronger than similar cocktail liqueurs, so make sure that you use it sparingly.

There are many localized varieties of Anisette available.

Depending on where you are in the world, the blend may feature the inclusion of various other words and either a combination of soda or sparkling water.

7. Orgeat

Italian orgeat syrup is made from almonds and a combination of rose and orange flower water and sugar. Most know orgeat as the classic core ingredient of Mai Tai and Tiki drinks.

However, it can be used in the place of Amaretto in most recipes. It’s light, mild, and unmistakably almond.

Expect a more subdued flavor than almond extract, a quality that makes this alternative remarkably versatile. 

Be sure to try out various Orgeat syrup brands, as each will carry a unique flavor profile. Certain blends may be too mild as a substitute, while others will be amazing in just about anything.

The nuttiness is a great highlight to earthy flavors, with the hints of orange balancing out bold tastes to perfection. 

The Best Amaretto Substitutes Available

The flavor of almond is hard to replace, but each of these alternatives is sure to inspire tasty twists on all your favorite drinks and recipes. You can’t go wrong when selecting from these Amaretto substitutes. Just ensure that you adjust the quantity added relative to the boldness of flavor.

Related:

Best Orgeat Substitutes (Alternatives To Orgeat)

Amaretto vs Almond Extract: What’s The Difference?

Best Substitutes For Chocolate Liqueur