I’ve been making Sicilian Kiss cocktails ever since a friend casually whipped one up for me at a dinner party last summer. I’ll be honest – I wasn’t expecting much from a drink with Southern Comfort in it (I grew up thinking that bottle was just for mixing into Coke at college parties), but the combination with Amaretto is magical. There’s this rich, nutty sweetness from the Amaretto, and the Southern Comfort just rounds everything out with a little fruity, apricot-like warmth. It’s a simple mix, but it always gets people’s attention.
If you’re looking to shake up your repertoire for your next gathering, the Sicilian Kiss is an easy win. It lands right in that sweet spot between “something different” and “not so weird that your most skeptical relative will turn up their nose.” Case in point: my brother-in-law, who’s spent years insisting he only drinks “beer or whiskey, neat,” sheepishly asked for a refill last Christmas Eve.
Strength & Profile
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I’ve tried digging into the backstory a bit, but as with so many great cocktails, the history’s murky. Most sources point to the 1980s, when American bartenders started experimenting with Italian liqueurs. True, Amaretto is from northern Italy, not Sicily, but the name fits – it’s got a sunny, Mediterranean feel that makes you think of citrus groves and long, lazy evenings.
What You’ll Need
- 1 oz Amaretto
- 1 oz Southern Comfort
- Ice cubes
- Maraschino cherry (garnish, optional but fun)
Don’t stress about glassware. A rocks glass is traditional, but nobody is going to care if you use any sturdy tumbler. If I’m at home, I usually pull out whatever short glass is clean.
How To Make It
- Fill a mixing glass (or just any sturdy pint glass) halfway with ice.
- Add the Amaretto and Southern Comfort.
- Stir well – about 20 seconds, until the mix gets nice and cold.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a cherry, if you’re feeling festive.
That’s honestly it. No shaking, no complicated bitters or syrups, nothing to muddle – just two bottles, some ice, and a glass.
A quick tip: I’ve tried subbing in other whiskeys before (I’m nothing if not curious), and it’s never quite right. Bourbon makes the drink too harsh, and rye just overwhelms the almond. Southern Comfort’s fruity, slightly spicy note works best here.
Feel free to play around, though. My sister loves hers with Frangelico instead of Amaretto, which gives the drink a distinctly hazelnutty vibe. Sometimes I’ll even toss in a splash of lemon juice when I want a little tartness.
For friends who aren’t drinking, I’ll mix up a mocktail version with almond syrup, a glug of cherry juice, and a couple drops of vanilla extract, topped with ice and a cherry. Is it the same? No, but it scratches the same itch – sweet, nutty, cozy.
If you want to really impress, serve Sicilian Kisses alongside dessert. They’re spot-on with anything chocolatey, like a simple flourless cake or even just good dark chocolate squares. Last New Year’s, we paired them with a bittersweet chocolate tart and there wasn’t a crumb left. If sweets aren’t your thing, the drink’s mellow almond note is surprisingly good with salted nuts or a wedge of aged Gouda.
The Sicilian Kiss isn’t a classic you’ll find in every old-school cocktail book, but it’s an under-the-radar crowd-pleaser and ridiculously easy to keep ingredients for. If you like cocktails that taste like a little hug, give it a try next time you feel like mixing something special.
