Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavored Italian liqueur traditionally made by macerating bitter almonds or apricot kernels in a neutral spirit and sweetening the result with sugar or honey.
It originated in Lombardy, and its name comes from the Italian "amaro" (bitter), referring to the bitter almond flavor at its core, even though the finished liqueur is sweet. Amaretto flavors desserts such as tiramisu and affogato and appears in cocktails such as the Amaretto Sour, but it also works in marinades and glazes for meat or poultry, where its nutty sweetness balances savory flavors. It typically runs 16-28% ABV depending on the producer, and pairs well with chocolate, coffee, cream, and citrus.