Featured Recipe
Amaretto Ginger Fizz
By Kate
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A sharp almond-flavored cocktail with a fresh herbal twist and zesty ginger soda lift; uses rosemary and lemon for bright contrast. Simple assembly. Chill glasses and measure before ice starts melting. Substitutions with bourbon or lime juice offer variations when amaretto or lemons absent. Watch soda fizz and garnish aromatics for aroma impact. A balance of sweet, tart, and spicy.
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Prep:
12 min
Cook:
0 min
Total:
12 min
Serves:
2 servings
cocktail
cocktail recipe
herbal drinks
Introduction
Sweet, nutty amaretto against citrus bite and ginger’s peppery sparkle. Straightforward mix. The rosemary stands in for the usual cedar—earthier, piney, and way easier to find fresh or at the market. Watch the balance; amaretto can overpower if too much, lime juice can make it harsh if not enough. Soda’s effervescence cuts the syrupiness, but should be ice-cold to keep the fizz alive and your drink fresh. Use lime when lemon’s not on hand; it changes character but brightens sharply, no regrets. Tying herbs to glass edges keeps them out of the way and releases fragrance steadily—no bits falling in, no string floating loose. Quick-ish prep, but ritualistic enough for a small gathering or winding down from a long day.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Grab fresh rosemary sprigs with stiff, woody stems—freshness here is key to aroma release. Amaretto sometimes runs sweet; prefer brands that balance almond bitterness with sugary notes. Sub out amaretto with bourbon for deeper warmth or hazelnut liqueur for twist. Lime juice substitutes lemon, offering more tartness and a bit less sweetness—adjust to taste. Ginger ale is the less spicy cousin of ginger beer but less aggressive, better for light soda fizz with herbal notes. Ice cubes: frozen in clean water for clarity; cloudy cubes dilute drink faster so keep your batch chilled to avoid rapid melting. No lemons? Try grapefruit juice but dial back soda for bitterness.
Method
Technique Tips
Tying herbs might seem fussy but keeps fragrance right at the nose and away from hands or teeth. Don’t skip this step unless you want those needles poking. Mix amaretto and juice first to ensure full acid-alcohol binding—one stiff stir is enough, no baton-rattling needed. Add ice to chill and slow dilution; the more the merrier to maintain the fizzy top longer. Pour soda gently to keep bubble structure; aeration ruins texture fast. Stirring after soda kills the bubbles and muddles clarity. Serve instantly; soda loses charm as it warms and flattens. If fizz drops too quickly, check ice quality or soda temperature next time. Garnish with lime wheel to draw visual contrast and add fresh oils you can press before sipping.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Fresh rosemary sprigs are key, stiff stems for best aroma. If using dried, skip tying; won't give same affect. Strong fragrances can overpower, balance is essential. Keep ingredients chilled. Cold ginger ale keeps it fizzy longer.
- 💡 Amaretto can be sweet, look for brands balancing sweetness and nutty notes. For deeper flavor, substitute with bourbon or hazelnut liqueur. Always taste as you go; aim for sweet and tart—sharp lime balances syrupy sweetness well.
- 💡 Ice cubes, clean water for clarity. Cloudy ice dilutes too fast; make a batch and keep them deep-freezed. Fill glasses generously—more ice slows dilution and maintains fizz. Pour soda slowly, gentle to avoid losing bubbles.
- 💡 Garnish with a lime wheel; adds oils and a pop of color. Rosemary tied at the rim helps fragrance; check its freshness. A quick twist can bring out more aroma. Best served immediately to enjoy fizz.
- 💡 Keep an eye on soda’s temperature. Flat drinks happen fast. If fizz declines too quickly, check your ice and soda source. Alternatives for lime include grapefruit, adjust sweetness for balance.
