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Café Amaretto Recipe

Café Amaretto Recipe

Learn how to make this homemade Café Amaretto, the best after-dinner cocktail that combines rich coffee flavors with sweet almond notes. This easy cocktail recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious dessert drink that rivals any craft cocktail from upscale establishments.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A close-up shot of a Café Amaretto in a crystal-clear rocks glass, showcasing distinct layers of dark coffee liqueur and cream crowned with a light dusting of cocoa powder. The lighting is warm and intimate, resembling the amber glow of a sophisticated cocktail lounge. Ice cubes glisten as they slowly melt, with condensation forming on the exterior of the glass. A whole coffee bean garnish rests on top of the cream, while a cinnamon stick leans against the rim, providing texture contrast. The cocktail sits atop a polished wooden bar surface with soft focus bar bottles in the background, creating depth and context.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml amaretto liqueur (Disaronno)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">45ml fresh cream</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml simple syrup</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Ice cubes</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Cocoa powder for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 coffee bean for garnish (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:
🔥 Calories:
🥑 Fat:
🧈 Saturated Fat:
🍞 Carbohydrates:
🍭 Sugar:
🍗 Protein:
🫀 Cholesterol:
🧂 Sodium:

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Rocks glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger for measuring</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer (optional for smoother texture)</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Fill your rocks glass with ice cubes to chill it thoroughly while you prepare the ingredients. After about 30 seconds, discard the water and ice.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add fresh ice to your now-chilled glass. The quality of ice matters here - larger cubes will melt more slowly, preventing unwanted dilution of your cocktail.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Pour 30ml of coffee liqueur directly over the ice. The liqueur should smoothly coat the ice cubes as it settles at the bottom of the glass.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Next, add 30ml of amaretto liqueur on top. Pour slowly to maintain a slight layering effect with the coffee liqueur. The sweet almond notes will complement the coffee beautifully.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Add 15ml of simple syrup. This balances the alcohol strength and enhances the dessert-like quality of the drink. You can adjust this to your sweetness preference.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Gently stir with a bar spoon to incorporate all the alcohol elements without disturbing the ice too much. About 5-7 rotations should be sufficient for proper mixing.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>For the final layer, slowly pour 45ml of fresh cream over the back of a bar spoon so it floats on top of the mixture. The spoon technique is crucial - hold it just above the surface and pour slowly to create a clean layer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Garnish with a light dusting of cocoa powder across the top of the cream. For an extra touch of elegance, add a single coffee bean and/or a cinnamon stick. The aromatics will enhance the drinking experience.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Serve immediately while the temperature contrast between the cold alcohol and the fresh cream is at its peak. Encourage your guest to sip through the cream layer to experience all flavors simultaneously.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Café Amaretto Recipe?

Café Amaretto requires coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), amaretto liqueur (such as Disaronno), fresh cream, simple syrup, ice cubes, and optional garnishes including cocoa powder, coffee beans, and cinnamon sticks for an elevated presentation.

How to make Café Amaretto Recipe at home?

Learn how to make Café Amaretto Recipe by chilling a rocks glass with ice, then adding fresh ice before pouring coffee liqueur, amaretto, and simple syrup. Gently stir these ingredients, then carefully layer fresh cream on top using the back of a bar spoon. Finish with a dusting of cocoa powder and optional coffee bean or cinnamon stick garnish.

Can I create a dairy-free version of this creamy coffee cocktail?

Absolutely! Substitute the fresh cream with coconut cream, oat cream, or almond milk creamer for a dairy-free alternative. These options maintain the cocktail's luxurious mouthfeel and layering effect while offering a complementary flavour profile to the coffee and amaretto.

What's the best way to achieve perfect layering in this cocktail?

The key to perfect layering is pouring the cream slowly over the back of a bar spoon held just above the liquid surface. Ensure your cream is cold and fresh (not ultra-pasteurised) for optimal floating. Pour gently and with patience—rushing will cause ingredients to mix prematurely.

Which coffee liqueur works best for a premium after-dinner drink?

While Kahlúa is widely available, consider Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur for a more intense coffee flavour with less sweetness. Other excellent options include Tia Maria, St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, or homemade coffee liqueur using espresso and your preferred base spirit.

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After about 30 seconds, discard the water and ice." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add fresh ice", "text": "Add fresh ice to your now-chilled glass. The quality of ice matters here - larger cubes will melt more slowly, preventing unwanted dilution of your cocktail." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add coffee liqueur", "text": "Pour 30ml of coffee liqueur directly over the ice. The liqueur should smoothly coat the ice cubes as it settles at the bottom of the glass." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add amaretto", "text": "Next, add 30ml of amaretto liqueur on top. Pour slowly to maintain a slight layering effect with the coffee liqueur. The sweet almond notes will complement the coffee beautifully." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add simple syrup", "text": "Add 15ml of simple syrup. This balances the alcohol strength and enhances the dessert-like quality of the drink. 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Encourage your guest to sip through the cream layer to experience all flavors simultaneously." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "164" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Elena Vasquez", "datePublished": "2024-05-01", "reviewBody": "This Café Amaretto is absolutely divine! The layering technique creates such a beautiful presentation, and the combination of coffee and almond flavors is heavenly. It's truly the perfect dessert cocktail replacement!", "name": "Dessert in a Glass", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "François Leblanc", "datePublished": "2024-05-03", "reviewBody": "Dangerously delicious! I've been making these for my dinner parties and everyone asks for the recipe. The cream floating technique takes a bit of practice but when you get it right, it's spectacular.", "name": "Dinner Party Showstopper", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Aisha Rahman", "datePublished": "2024-05-05", "reviewBody": "Impressed my date instantly with this gorgeous cocktail! The layers look professional and the flavor is so much better than anything I've had at coffee shops. The cinnamon stick garnish adds a wonderful aroma.", "name": "Date Night Winner", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Nikolai Petrov", "datePublished": "2024-04-28", "reviewBody": "Such a delightful nightcap! The balance between the sweet amaretto and rich coffee is perfect. I've tried many similar drinks but this recipe has the ideal proportions. Will be making this regularly during winter months!", "name": "Perfect Winter Warmer", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Mei-Lin Wong", "datePublished": "2024-04-25", "reviewBody": "The cocoa powder dusting on top is genius! It adds just the right hint of chocolate to complement the coffee and almond flavors. The recipe is straightforward even for beginners, but the result looks and tastes like it came from an upscale cocktail bar.", "name": "Simple Yet Sophisticated", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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