The Amaretto Sour is a delicious and popular cocktail made with amaretto, lemon juice, and egg white or simple syrup. But with a name like “sour,” some people wonder – is it a lower calorie cocktail option or are amaretto sours secretly packed with calories and sugar?
What is in an Amaretto Sour?
An Amaretto Sour is a sweet and sour cocktail that typically contains just 3 main ingredients:
- Amaretto – An almond-flavored Italian liqueur made from apricot pits/kernels.
- Lemon juice – Provides the sour citrus flavor.
- Egg white or simple syrup – Adds volume and frothy texture.
Some Amaretto Sour recipes also include:
- Angostura bitters
- Orange wheel or maraschino cherry garnish
So without all the added garnishes, an Amaretto Sour is very simple drink made with just amaretto, lemon, and egg white or sweetener.
Amaretto Sour Nutrition Facts
The calorie and sugar content of an Amaretto Sour can vary based on the specific ingredients used, but on average:
- A 1.5 oz shot of amaretto contains about 153 calories and 16g sugar (1).
- 1 oz lemon juice has about 8 calories and 2g sugar (2).
- A typical egg white has about 17 calories and 0g sugar (3).
- 1 tsp simple syrup has about 15 calories and 4g sugar (4).
So a standard 2 oz Amaretto Sour made with 1.5 oz amaretto, 0.5 oz lemon juice and 0.5 oz egg white would contain around:
188 calories, 18g sugar, 0g fat, 0g protein (5).
If made with 1 tsp or 0.33 oz simple syrup instead of egg white, the nutrition facts would be:
203 calories, 22g sugar, 0g fat, 0g protein (6).
So while not the lowest calorie cocktail option, Amaretto Sours are also not loaded with calories or sugar compared to some mixed drinks. The amaretto itself contributes most of the calories.
Amaretto Sour vs. Other Popular Cocktails
How does the 190-ish calorie Amaretto Sour stack up against other classic cocktails in terms of calories and nutritional value?
Here’s a calorie comparison of 6 oz cocktails (one standard drink size):
| Cocktail | Calories | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Amaretto Sour | 190 | 18 |
| Margarita | 190 | 20 |
| Moscow Mule | 180 | 5 |
| Mojito | 160 | 16 |
| Bloody Mary | 160 | 5 |
| Gin & Tonic | 150 | 0 |
The Amaretto Sour is very similar in calories and sugar to a standard frozen Margarita, and slightly higher than cocktails like the Mojito and Bloody Mary. Overall it lands around mid-range calorie wise compared to other classics.
The biggest contributors of empty calories in cocktails tend to be sugar and alcohol. Cocktails made with simple mixers like sparkling water or diet soda will generally be lowest in calories, while blended frozen drinks made with fruit, cream or added sweeteners like simple syrup will be highest.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Amaretto Sour
If you want to trim some calories and sugar from your Amaretto Sour, here are some easy tips:
- Use 1 oz amaretto instead of 1.5 oz.
- Add more lemon juice – its nearly zero calories.
- Use diet lemon-lime soda instead of simple syrup.
- Replace the sugar in simple syrup with zero-calorie sweetener.
- Use an egg white instead of syrup for creaminess.
- Skip the maraschino cherry garnish.
- Ask for it tall over ice to dilute the drink.
Following those guidelines can shave off anywhere from 50-100 calories per drink.
Is Amaretto Itself Fattening?
Now that we’ve covered the Amaretto Sour – what about amaretto itself?
Is this almond-flavored liqueur inherently fattening on its own or in other cocktails?
Here’s a look at the nutrition facts for amaretto:
- Serving Size: 1.5 oz (one shot)
- Calories: 153
- Sugar: 16 g
- Carbs: 12 g
- Fat: 0 g
So in a 1.5 oz shot, amaretto provides around 150 calories and 16 grams of sugar, almost all of which comes from the alcohol itself (7).
Amaretto is lower in calories than many liquors, including vodka, rum, gin, and whiskey, which all contain around 100 calories per shot.
However, keep in mind that amaretto is lower in alcohol by volume (ABV) than most hard liquors, at around 21-28% rather than 40% alcohol.
This means you would typically need to drink more ounces of amaretto to consume the same amount of alcohol as vodka or whiskey. More ounces = more calories.
The main takeaway is that amaretto itself is not any more fattening than other liqueurs or spirits. Its calories come primarily from the alcohol content rather than added sugars or flavorings.
So while amaretto may be low-calorie compared to something like a piña colada or blended strawberry daiquiri made with fruit juices and syrups, it isn’t a diet drink. Moderation is still key.
Should You Avoid Amaretto Sours If Trying to Lose Weight?
Are Amaretto Sours and other amaretto cocktails off-limits if you’re trying to lose weight or on a diet?
Not necessarily. Most cocktails can be enjoyed in moderation on a weight loss diet, and Amaretto Sours are no exception.
Here are some tips for enjoying Amaretto Sours without derailing your diet:
- Stick to 1 drink max per day.
- Make it a tall drink with extra ice and soda water.
- Use the lightening up tips mentioned earlier.
- Always account for cocktail calories in your daily calorie budget.
- Drink on a full stomach to slow alcohol absorption.
- Avoid sugary mixers like cola or tonic.
- Stay hydrated with water between drinks.
One standard Amaretto Sour likely won’t make or break your daily calories. But be cautious with multiple rounds of drinks in one sitting, which can add up fast.
Overall, an occasional Amaretto Sour can absolutely be enjoyed sensibly, even on a weight loss diet. Just keep your overall alcohol intake moderate and make smart mixology choices.
The Bottom Line
So is Amaretto Sour fattening? In short – it’s moderately high in calories, but not outrageously so. A standard 6oz Amaretto Sour contains around 190 calories and 18g sugar.
This is quite average compared to other popular cocktails like Margaritas or Mojitos. Amaretto itself is also not particularly high-calorie as far as liquors go.
There are definitely ways to lighten up an Amaretto Sour, like using less sweetener or more zero-calorie ingredients. But in general, it’s not considered one of the most fattening cocktails.
As with any cocktail, it comes down to overall quantity and frequency. An occasional Amaretto Sour can be budgeted into a healthy diet, but multiple per night or week can add up excess calories.
Moderation and smart mixology choices are key to keeping cocktail calories in check. But an Amaretto Sour here and there won’t break the calorie bank if planned for. Cheers!