what is amaretto liqueur

Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur that has a distinctive almond flavor. It is made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, all of which are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that provides the almond-like flavor of the liqueur. It generally contains 21 to 28 percent alcohol by volume. Although it is often used in cocktails, it can also be drunk by itself or added to coffee. Amaretto is also commonly used in culinary applications. The name "amaretto" originated as a diminutive of the Italian word "amaro," meaning "bitter," which references the distinctive flavor lent by the mandorla amara or by the drupe kernel. However, the bitterness of amaretto tends to be mild, and sweeteners (and sometimes sweet almonds) enhance the flavor in the final products.