When served as a beverage, amaretto can be drunk by itself, used as an ingredient to create several popularmixed drinks, or added tocoffee. Amaretto is also commonly used inItalian and other cuisines, especially in recipes forconfectionery and sweetbaked goods.
The nameamaretto originated as adiminutive of theItalian wordamaro, meaning "bitter", which references the distinctive flavour lent by themandorla amara or by thedrupe kernel. However, the bitterness of amaretto tends to be mild, and sweeteners (and sometimes sweet almonds) enhance the flavour in the final products.[5] Thus, one can interpret the liqueur's name as a description of the taste as "a little bitter".Cyanide is processed out of the almond preparation before its use.[citation needed]
Amaretto is distinct fromamaro, a type of bitter Italian liqueur made from herbs, roots, flowers, bark, and/or citrus peels.[6]
Despite the history of introducing and accepting almonds intoItalian cuisine, newer takes on the meanings and origins have been popularized by two major brands. Though of sometimes questionable provenance, these tales hold a sentimental place in Saronno culture:
In 1525, aSaronno church commissioned artistBernardino Luini, one ofLeonardo da Vinci's pupils, to paint itssanctuary withfrescoes. As the church was dedicated to theVirgin Mary, Luini needed to depict theMadonna but needed a model. He found his inspiration in a young widowed innkeeper, who became his model and (in most versions) lover. The woman wished to give him a gift out of gratitude and affection. Her simple means did not permit much, so she steeped apricot kernels in brandy and presented the resulting concoction to a touched Luini.[7][8]
Amaretto is frequently added to desserts, including ice cream, which enhances the flavour of the dessert with almonds and is complementary to the flavour of chocolate.Tiramisu, a popular Italian cake, is often flavoured with either real amaretto or alcohol-free amaretto aroma.
Savoury recipes that call for amaretto usually involve meats, such as chicken.
A few shots of amaretto can be added to pancake batter for a richer flavour.
Amaretto is often added to almondine sauce for fish and vegetables.
Media related toAmaretto liqueurs at Wikimedia Commons
