The Amaretto Spumoni cocktail is, true to its name, all foam and sparkle, since “spumoni” springs from the Italian word for froth, yet its heart is a soft, almond-like sweetness. Amaretto stirred with fresh grapefruit sets a mellow, bittersweet base, chilled tonic lifts it with fine bubbles and a gentle bitter edge, and a lemon slice pressed into the glass brightens every aroma and keeps the finish clean.
Pour one tonight and let a light, low-alcohol sparkle ease the end of your day.
Recipe & How to Make
Ingredients
Recipe no.135
- Amaretto — 1 oz (30ml)
- Grapefruit Juice — 1 oz (30ml)
- Tonic Water — Full
- Lemon Slice
※ Full = fill the glass about 80–90% full
5 Recommended Amaretto brands
6 Recommended Tonic water brands
Directions
Cut one lemon slice. Squeeze fresh grapefruit juice and chill it, and chill the tonic water as well.
Add ice, amaretto and grapefruit juice to the glass, then stir lightly.
Gently top with tonic water 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. Finish by sliding the lemon slice into the glass with a bar spoon.
・Technique ｜ Stir
・Glass ｜ Collins Glass / Tumbler Glass
・ABV ｜ About 4–5%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ All Day
Amaretto Spumoni ｜ Features & Video
Features & Taste
The Amaretto Spumoni is a variation of the classic Spumoni, which uses bittersweet Campari. Swapping in amaretto, often made with apricot kernels, brings a sweet almond-like aroma that softens the drink.
Grapefruit adds juicy tartness and gentle bitterness, while fine tonic bubbles lift everything to a crisp finish. I always press the lemon slice down into the glass, because it brightens the aroma and makes the finish even cleaner.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
Tips for Making It
- Stir the base before adding tonic. A common mistake is pouring everything in at once and stirring hard at the end. The heavy amaretto sinks, and the hard stir knocks out the bubbles. Stir the amaretto and grapefruit over ice first, then top gently with tonic and give it just one or two turns.
- Choose your grapefruit with intention. White grapefruit brings sharper acidity and more bitterness, while pink grapefruit is softer and sweeter. Pick white for a crisper drink, or pink for a rounder, fruitier glass.
- Use a well-chilled, crisp tonic. Cold tonic holds its bubbles longer and keeps the sweetness in balance. I always open a fresh bottle for this drink, because lively carbonation is what makes a Spumoni feel like a Spumoni.
Twists
- Half & Half Spumoni — Use equal parts amaretto and Campari. You get almond sweetness and a pleasant bitter edge in one glass.
- Amaretto Spumoni Spritz — Swap the tonic for prosecco. It becomes a softly sparkling, wine-based aperitif.
- Rosemary Spumoni — Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig. Its herbal aroma adds a fresh, grown-up accent to the almond and citrus.
Food Pairings
- Caprese salad — Juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella meet bright grapefruit acidity, a fresh Italian match.
- Arancini — These crispy, cheesy rice balls stay light alongside the drink, as tonic’s bitterness and bubbles cut through the richness.
- Almond cake — Its nutty sweetness echoes the amaretto, while grapefruit keeps the dessert pairing lively.
Recipe video
- Recipe video ｜ Muse Amuse Channel Home
