Recipe: Quick and Easy Homemade Amaretto

I love almonds. From marzipan to caramelised almonds, from almond fingers to almond apple pie, you name it, I love it.

So you can just imagine how much I love Amaretto. Almonds, sugar and alcohol - I mean c'mon, this is the nectar of the gods.

Here in the UK Amaretto isn't hugely expensive, so homemade amaretto isn't really a cheaper alternative, but making your own does mean you win bragging rights with your friends and that you can adjust the recipe to better fit your palet. This recipe is so quick and so delicious that in no time at all you will find yourself whipping up batches for all your friends.

A great addition to your alcohol stash or a fantastic Christmas gift for an almond loving friend, you are going to love this.


Ingredients:

Makes 750ml

250ml water

225 g sugar

100 g Demerara sugar

500ml vodka

2 tablespoons almond extract

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:

- Add all the sugar and water to a saucepan and heat on a medium heat until boiling. All the sugar must be dissolved.

- Remove from the heat and leave to cool (this should take around 30mins)

- Stir in the vanilla extract, the almond extract and the vodka.

- If you want your Amaretto to be clear, strain in through I coffee filter. I left mine cloudy- I think it adds to the 'homemade' feel.

- You can drink the Amaretto straight away, but it will get better with age. Ideally, you'll want to store if for about a week before serving it.

Et voila! Told you it was easy.