Amaretto Rose - Amaretto, Lime & Soda Highball Cocktail

The Amaretto Rose is a simple highball built from amaretto, fresh lime juice, and club soda. Amaretto supplies its familiar almond-like sweetness, lime adds a sharp citrus counterpoint, and sparkling soda keeps the drink light on its feet. With just three ingredients and a build-in-glass method, it is an easy way to turn a rich liqueur into a long, refreshing drink.

Background

A firmly documented origin for the Amaretto Rose is difficult to establish, so it is better presented through its recipe structure than an uncertain creation story. Published versions consistently pair amaretto with lime juice and club soda in a Collins glass, creating a simple liqueur-based highball with a sweet, tart, and sparkling profile.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Amaretto - provides the sweet, nutty base and characteristic almond-like flavor.
• Lime juice - adds acidity that cuts through the amaretto's sweetness.
• Club soda - lengthens the drink and adds a crisp, sparkling finish.

No amaretto? Another almond-flavored liqueur is the closest alcoholic substitute, though sweetness and flavor intensity may differ. Sparkling water can replace club soda with only a small change in mineral character.

Equipment

• Collins glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Ice

Why Lime Changes the Drink

Amaretto can feel rich and concentrated on its own, but lime gives that sweetness a sharper edge. Club soda then stretches both flavors into a longer format, reducing the sense of weight without masking the almond character. The result stays recognizably amaretto-forward while drinking more like a refreshing highball than a dessert cocktail.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use lemon juice instead of lime for a softer citrus profile.
• Replace club soda with sparkling mineral water for a slightly different mineral character.
• Add an orange twist for a softer aromatic citrus note.
• Use a small splash of grapefruit soda for a sweeter, more bittersweet variation.
• Reduce the soda for a shorter, richer version with more concentrated amaretto flavor.

Helpful Tips

• Use fresh lime juice because the acidity is essential to balancing the amaretto.
• Fill the Collins glass generously with ice so the drink stays cold and lively.
• Add the soda gently to preserve carbonation.
• Stir only once or twice after topping.
• A lime wheel or wedge reinforces the drink's fresh citrus aroma.
• For several servings, pre-measure the amaretto and lime juice, then add ice and soda individually just before serving.