Toasted Almond Cocktail
A creamy dessert cocktail that balances nutty amaretto with rich coffee liqueur and heavy cream. This drink delivers a luxurious combination of toasted almond and coffee flavors in an indulgent package.
Core Ingredients:
- 1½ oz (45 ml) amaretto liqueur
- 1½ oz (45 ml) Mr. Black coffee liqueur
- 2 oz (60 ml) heavy cream
- Garnish: grated nutmeg or cocoa powder (optional)
Equipment Needed
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Rocks glass
- Jigger for measuring
- Fine grater for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill your rocks glass with fresh ice
- Add all ingredients to your shaker:
- Pour in the amaretto
- Add Mr. Black coffee liqueur
- Finish with heavy cream
- Fill shaker with ice
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled and frothy
- Strain into your ice-filled rocks glass
- Optional: dust the top with freshly grated nutmeg or cocoa powder
Tasting Notes
The Toasted Almond presents a dessert-forward profile:
- Initial sweetness from amaretto with pronounced almond character
- Mid-palate features bold coffee notes from Mr. Black
- Rich, velvety cream texture throughout
- Coffee and almond flavors intertwine without competing
- Nutmeg garnish adds warm spice notes that complement the almond
Spirit Selection Notes
- Amaretto: DiSaronno is the classic choice for authentic almond flavor
- Coffee Liqueur: Mr. Black is essential for its robust, authentic coffee character - never use Kahlua
- Heavy Cream: Fresh heavy cream is critical - avoid half-and-half or milk substitutes for best texture and flavor
Tips for Best Results
- Shake vigorously to properly emulsify the cream with the spirits
- The longer shake creates a frothy, silky texture
- Serve immediately after shaking for best texture
- Keep all ingredients well-chilled before mixing
- Fresh cream makes a significant difference in mouthfeel
Origins
The Toasted Almond is a classic cream cocktail that likely evolved from similar dessert drinks in the 1970s. It shares DNA with cocktails like the Mudslide and White Russian but distinguishes itself with the prominent almond character from amaretto.