Amaretto Ginger Cocktail | Easy 2-Ingredient Highball Recipe

Amaretto Ginger cocktail with a sparkling golden-amber color over ice in a tall glass, garnished with a lemon wedge and a silver straw against a black background

The Amaretto Ginger cocktail is, true to its name, a gentle paradox: “amaretto” means “a little bitter” in Italian, yet the first sip of this low-alcohol highball glows with soft, almond-like sweetness. Poured over ice first, the amber liqueur releases its marzipan and vanilla notes, then chilled ginger ale lifts them with bright bubbles and a lively ginger bite, while a squeeze of lemon keeps the finish clean and balanced.

Build one tonight and let a little Italian warmth sparkle in your glass.

Table of Contents

Recipe & How to Make

Ingredients

Multiple rows of spirit bottles on backlit bar shelves against an exposed brick wall

Recipe no.134

  • Amaretto — 1 oz (30ml)
  • Ginger Ale — Full

※ Full = fill the glass about 80–90% full

5 Recommended Amaretto brands
6 Recommended Ginger Ale brands

Directions

A bartender in a black apron stirring a cocktail in a mixing glass with a long bar spoon
Step
Prepare

Chill the ginger ale well beforehand.

Step
Combine

Add ice and amaretto to the glass.

Step
Stir

Gently top with ginger ale so it doesn’t foam, then stir slowly and lightly. Stir just once or twice; lifting the ice up and down mixes it without losing the bubbles.

・Technique | Stir
・Glass | Collins Glass / Tumbler Glass
・ABV | About 4–5%
・Best Enjoyed | All Day

Amaretto Ginger | Features & Video

Features & Taste

Two Disaronno amaretto bottles, the amber Originale and the white Velvet cream liqueur, standing side by side on a bar counter

Amaretto comes from Saronno, Italy, where its story is said to date back to the 16th century. Its almond-like flavor often comes from apricot kernels, which explains its marzipan-like aroma and soft, vanilla-tinged sweetness.

Ginger ale adds lively bubbles and a gentle ginger bite that keeps the sweetness in check. I always choose a dry, spicy ginger ale, because it gives the drink a cleaner, more grown-up finish.

Points, Twists & Food Pairings

A glass bowl filled with biscotti cookies studded with almonds and dried cranberries

Tips for Making It

  1. Pour the amaretto first. A common mistake is adding amaretto after the ginger ale. The rich liqueur sinks to the bottom, leaving the first sips weak and the last ones overly sweet. Pour the amaretto over ice first, then top with ginger ale and lift the ice gently to blend.
  2. Start with about 1 part amaretto to 4 parts ginger ale. This ratio keeps the almond aroma clear without becoming cloying. Add a little more ginger ale if you prefer a lighter, crisper drink.
  3. Finish with a squeeze of lemon. A light squeeze of fresh lemon cuts through the sweetness and brightens the almond notes. I always add a lemon wedge, because it turns a sweet highball into a balanced cocktail.

Twists

  1. Amaretto Ginger Beer — Swap ginger ale for ginger beer. Its stronger spice makes the drink bolder and more warming.
  2. Bourbon Amaretto Ginger — Add 1/3 oz (10ml) of bourbon. Its oak and vanilla notes add depth and a richer finish.
  3. Amaretto Cola — Use cola instead of ginger ale. The almond aroma blends with cola’s spice for a cherry-like flavor.

Food Pairings

  1. Almond biscotti — The crunchy cookie echoes amaretto’s almond aroma, while ginger ale’s bubbles refresh the palate between bites.
  2. Blue cheese — Its salty, tangy richness contrasts beautifully with the drink’s sweetness, and the ginger keeps each sip fresh.
  3. Soy-glazed chicken wings — Sweet-salty glaze matches the drink’s soft sweetness, and the ginger bite echoes savory Asian flavors.

Recipe video

Amaretto Ginger Cocktail: Easy 2-Ingredient Highball Recipe

Make the Amaretto Ginger cocktail with amaretto and ginger ale. An easy 2-ingredient highball with almond aroma, gentle sweetness and a crisp ginger kick.

タイプ: Cocktail

料理: International

キーワード: Amaretto Ginger cocktail, amaretto and ginger ale, amaretto highball, easy amaretto cocktail, low alcohol cocktail, almond liqueur cocktail, ginger ale cocktail

レシピー歩留まり: 1 drink

準備時間: PT2M

所要時間: PT2M

レシピー材料:

  • Amaretto — 1 oz (30ml)
  • Ginger Ale — Full

レシピーの説明:

Prepare:

  • Chill the ginger ale well beforehand.

Combine:

  • Add ice and amaretto to the glass.

Stir:

  • Gently top with ginger ale so it doesn’t foam, then stir slowly and lightly. Stir just once or twice; lifting the ice up and down mixes it without losing the bubbles.

Table of Contents