National Amaretto Day
National Amaretto Day, April 19th, honors a liqueur known around the world for its taste and aroma.
Amaretto means "a little bitter" in Italian, because it is made from bitter almonds or apricot kernels, or both. Makers infuse it with either pure alcohol or brandy, resulting in a strong almond flavor. This traditionally Italian liqueur has a reputation for being fragrant.
Secrecy and lore shrouded secrecy and lore..
Artist Bernardino Luini selected a young innkeeper as his model for a fresco of the Madonna of the Miracles in Saronno, Italy. The innkeeper gave the artist a gift of her own personal blend of almond and brandy in appreciation for being chosen. For centuries, the family held the dish as a closely guarded mystery. Nevertheless, the Di Saronno family began making its amaretto for a wider audience in the twentieth century. The liqueur first appeared in newspaper advertisements in the United States in the late 1940s, and the family now bottles their recipe.
Another Amaretto tale comes from the same region of Italy as well as another Amaretto tale. However, this tale tells of a young Lazzaroni couple who were blessed by the Cardinal of Milan in 1718. The couple celebrated his stay with a special dish of their own, creating an amaretto cookie like no other. And this one came in a bottle as well. Naturally, they also closely guarded their recipe generations. The Lazzaroni family first began exporting their amaretto liqueur in 1851, and the family is still making it today.
How to celebrate #nationalamarettoday
- An amaretto drink can be sip or mixed up
- Celebrate with an amaretto baked good. The scent alone is quite satisfying
- Amaretto also complements coffee and citrus beverages
- Delicious mocktails are also available thanks to amaretto flavor syrups
- Experiment with recipes or share your favorites. We even have a recipe for you to try
- Almond Amaretto Bars, Almond Amaretto Bars
- On social media, use the hashtag #NationalAmarettoDay to post
Amaretto FAQ
Aren't bitter almonds poisonous? Q. Isn't bitter almonds poisonous?
A. Bitter almonds and apricot seeds contain a poison called hydrogen cyanide (HCN). If you're thinking that the bartender is actually requesting you to choose your poison, hold up a moment. No traceable (read poisonous) amounts of HCN were found in many of the amarettos made today. The process used to make amaretto and the use of almond extracts in several of the amarettos made today negate any traceable (read poisonous) quantities of HCN.
Q. What goes well with amaretto?
A. Amaretto is a reversible liqueur. Make it with your creamy liqueurs and vodkas. Be creative or ask your bartender their favorite mixes. Also with amaretto, Nutty, sweet, and chocolate flavors go well with amaretto. Or, make it simple and mix it with a citrus soda.
