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Amaretto

Amaretto is an almond flavoured liquor which originates from Sicily in southern Italy. Amaro is the Italian word for bitter, hence the derivation of Amaretto.

Legend has it that Amaretto was first discovered when Bernardino Luini was commissioned to paint a fresco of the Virgin Mary in a Saronno Church. He hired a widowed innkeeper as a Model for his Madonna and she soon became his lover. As a gift to him she mixed kernels of Apricot with Brandy to produce the first ever Amaretto.

Ameretto is often used in deserts; it makes a a rich tasting pancake if you add a few shots to the pancake batter before cooking and is excellent poured over peaches, baked in an oven for about 20 minutes and then served with vanilla ice cream.

Amaretto, however, is most commonly drunk neat (over ice or not, depending on personal taste) and in cocktails. Disaranno is the best selling brand of Amaretto.