Toasted Almond Drink

The Toasted Almond drink is a creamy cocktail made with vodka, amaretto, and Kahlua: a dessert in a glass that’s easy to make at home! Here’s everything you need to know.

There’s something unique about the Toasted Almond drink that surprised me from my first sip. This creamy sweet drink balances vodka, amaretto and Kahlua for a flavor that’s unexpectedly similar to toasted almonds: and totally irresistible!

Something about the coffee liqueur adds in a roasty flavor that makes this drink both balanced and intriguing, all at once. This one surprised me with its delicious flavor, and had me coming back for more (even though I’m more of a fan of sour cocktails than sweet!).

What’s in a Toasted Almond Drink?

The Toasted Almond drink is a dessert cocktail made with vodka, amaretto, Kahlua and cream to mimic the flavor of toasted almonds. The history of the drink is murky: no one seems to know when and where it was invented. The ingredients are similar to a White Russian, invented in the 1950’s. But the addition of amaretto makes it taste like a more balanced dessert cocktail, like a Brandy Alexander. Here are the ingredients in a Toasted Almond drink:

Vodka: A neutral base that lets the other flavors shine; I like a mid-range vodka like Tito’s
Amaretto: An Italian almond liqueur that gives the drink its signature nutty sweetness
Kahlua: A popular coffee liqueur; you can also use Tia Maria to give the flavor a roasty depth
Heavy cream: For that silky texture; non-dairy creams work too

How to Make a Toasted Almond Cocktail

The Toasted Almond is a traditional shake and strain cocktail, much like other creamy after dinner drinks! Here’s what to do:

Shake in a cocktail shaker until cold. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, then add ice and shake about 10 to 15 seconds.
Strain into a glass. Strain the drink into a stemmed cocktail glass.
Garnish with fresh nutmeg. The garnish is important: fresh nutmeg adds a warm-spiced flavor to the drink. It’s similar to a Brandy Alexander, Milk Punch or a Golden Cadillac.

Star Ingredient: Amaretto

What brings the toasted almond flavor in this drink? Amaretto! Amaretto is an almond liqueur from Italy. It tastes both sweet and bitter, with a strong almond flavor (amaretto means in Italian “little bitter”). This liqueur became popular in the US in the 1960’s and 70’s, spawning many amaretto cocktails like the Amaretto Sour, French Connection, Godfather and others.

There are many brands of amaretto on the market. A common inexpensive choice is Di Amore Amaretto. A higher-end brand we’ve tried is Lazaroni Amaretto: but keep in mind, it has a much stronger and developed almond flavor. Whatever brand you find will work for this recipe!

Making It for a Crowd

Making the Toasted Almond drink for entertaining and want to whip up a bunch at once? Stir together the following ingredients in a pitcher to make 8 servings:

1 cup vodka
1 cup amaretto
½ cup Kahlua
1 ½ cup heavy cream

Important: when you’re ready to serve, serve the mixture over ice instead of straight up in the glass! This is important to get the dilution that shaking with ice would achieve.

What to Serve with a Toasted Almond

This drink is practically is dessert, so it works well with other small dessert-y bites like:

Dark chocolate squares or truffles
Biscotti or shortbread cookies
A fruit tray with chocolate hummus
After a rich dinner, served in place of dessert entirely

The Toasted Almond is always best served last: it’s the cocktail equivalent of an espresso at the end of a great meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?

Yes! The drink will be lighter and less rich, but still delicious. I’d avoid milk: it won’t give you the same creamy texture.

What’s the difference between a Toasted Almond and a White Russian?

A White Russian is made with vodka, Kahlua, and cream: no amaretto. The Toasted Almond adds amaretto, which brings in almond and bitter notes.

What’s the best amaretto brand for this recipe?

Di Amore is an affordable go-to. For a stronger almond flavor, try Lazzaroni or Disaronno.