In Search of Lost Time: Amaretto Madeleines alla Romana

Sylvia Fonalka
Nov 8
6 min read

Updated: Nov 30

Liquor : Digestif

👩‍🍳— Jump to recipe, but fair warning: you’ll miss all my brilliantly unnecessary (and deeply entertaining) ranting.

In 1997, I truly grasped the meaning of the saying, All roads lead to Rome, when my younger sister and I decided to exchange our Hungarian Christmas traditions for a dose of holiday magic in the captivating Italian capital. Just a night-time train ride away from Switzerland, where we were both living at the time, we embarked on this adventure. As an art history and archaeology student, I was particularly excited to immerse myself in Rome's wealth of artistic treasures. To be honest, I may have gotten a bit carried away with the cultural experiences during our few days there, so much so that by the third day, my sister teared up by the banks of the Tiber! It turns out that the overwhelming beauty of the sights and sensations can turn a sister into a very emotional tourist.

On Christmas Eve, we found ourselves in a corner store where we decided to buy a large bottle of Amaretto liqueur. After all, as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so why not embrace our inner Italian? Given our limited understanding of Italian culture at the time, it seemed like a fantastic idea, especially after days filled with exploration and a cocktail of homesickness and fatigue. Plus, let's be honest, we had become quite the magnets for Italian boys. Picture us as a slightly less glamorous version of Swedish actress Anita Ekberg, being pursued by Marcello Mastroianni while splashing around in the Trevi Fountain. Every glance from a charming local felt like a nod to our own version of La Dolce Vita! In retrospect, it all makes perfect sense, especially after discovering through genetic testing that we have significant Scandinavian ancestry as well!

As we started sipping the Amaretto right there on the street, I felt like I had crossed the Rubicon and reached a point of no return. To put it mildly, I overindulged and ended up quite intoxicated. I don't remember much from the rest of that evening, but for the next decade, I couldn't even stand the smell of Amaretto, Amaretto cookies, or Amaretto ice cream, well, you get the picture. Nonetheless, I realized: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is my tolerance for this lovely almond liqueur. Now, I can enjoy it again, in moderation, of course, because we all know how that story ends!

Amaretto is a wonderfully versatile drink that can be enjoyed in many whimsical ways. With its sweet, almond-kissed flavour, it feels like dessert in a glass and offers comforting solace amidst the chaos of the world. While some may liken sipping it to fiddling while Rome burns, I, personally, find that a bit dramatic, though, to be fair, if Rome is burning, it’s probably because someone tried to flambé something after three glasses.

Instead, Amaretto provides a delightful distraction from life’s turmoil, a soothing reminder that sometimes all we can do is clink our glasses and vibe politely through the apocalypse.

So please, pass the Amaretto. I intend to savor each delicious sip while everything around me simmers down. Cheers!

liquor or liqueur

Just to clarify, "liquor" is a general term that refers to distilled alcoholic beverages such as vodka, rum, and whiskey. In contrast, "liqueur" is a specific type of liquor that is sweetened and flavored with various ingredients, including fruits, herbs, or spices; an example of this is Amaretto liqueur. Therefore, all liqueurs are liquors, but not all liquors are liqueurs.

Amaretto - A Sweet Delight with a Nutty Twist

This sweet Italian liqueur is like a cozy hug in a glass, with its delightful almond flavour that makes it perfect for sipping solo or jazzing up your favourite cocktails and desserts. Now, before you start imagining orchards of almond trees, let me spill the beans: many brands craft their amaretto from apricot pits, peach stones, or other stone fruit kernels. Yes, it's a nutty little riddle wrapped in a sweet package!

The name "amaretto" is actually the Italian diminutive of "amaro," which means "bitter." It's a playful reference to the mild bitter notes that run alongside the sweetness.

Popular Brands of Amaretto

There are hundreds of Amaretto brands made only in Italy, each with its own unique flavour and history.

Disaronno Originale: The superstar of the amaretto world, known for its sweet, nutty goodness and hints of marzipan, vanilla, and a zesty whisper of citrus. Plus, that square bottle? Hard to miss!
Lazzaroni: This brand has been around since 1851, and boy, do they know what they’re doing! They infuse their liqueur with famous amaretti cookies, giving it a unique baked almond flavour.
Gozio Amaretto: Coming from the Distillerie Franciacorta, this gem is as international as a globetrotting foodie, made with bitter almonds sourced from four continents.
Luxardo: A family-owned brand that mixes essential oils from cherries, peaches, and apricot pits with top-notch almonds for a well-balanced flavour explosion.

Classic Amaretto Cocktails

Amaretto liqueur beautifully complements a variety of ingredients. These delightful beverages are perfect for any occasion, whether you're enjoying a cozy night in or hosting a vibrant gathering with friends.

Amaretto Sour: The sweet and sour superstar! This cocktail blends amaretto with lemon juice. Modern twists might throw in some bourbon for extra oomph and a dash of egg white for frothiness, topped with a cherry and orange slice.
Godfather: With just amaretto and Scotch or bourbon, this drink is simple but packs a punch. It’s the kind of drink that makes you feel like a film noir character.
French Connection: This smooth sip brings together equal parts amaretto and cognac. It's like a French kiss for your taste buds!
Toasted Almond: For those who prefer dessert in a glass, mix amaretto, coffee liqueur, and cream. It’s a dreamy concoction that tastes like a creamy dessert you can drink!

How to Drink Amaretto?

Whether you're sipping it solo or mixing it up with a creative cocktail, adding it to your coffee or desserts, Amaretto is here to sweeten your day, one nutty sip at a time!

Neat or on the Rocks: Smooth enough to sip, pour it straight into your glass or over ice as a smooth after-dinner treat. It's like a little party for your taste buds!
In Coffee: Take your morning brew up a notch by adding a shot of amaretto. It’s the almond-infused pick-me-up you didn't know you needed.

In Desserts

Amaretto is the fairy godmother of desserts. One splash, and suddenly tiramisu dances, ice cream sings, and freshly whipped cream becomes positively operatic.

Amaretto Madeleines

For this recipe, I've decided to make madeleines, inspired by the iconic scene in Marcel Proust's novel, À la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time), where the adult narrator tastes a madeleine dipped in tea, and this seemingly simple act evokes a rush of long-forgotten childhood memories.

This charming concept of involuntary memory truly resonates with me. Each time I sip Amaretto, it whisks me back to those carpe diem days I spent with my sorella in Rome, reminding me to embrace the beauty of those fleeting moments.

We are making 24 madeleines in total using two 12-Madeleine mould pans.

Ingredients

3/4 cup / 100 grams flour (unbleached, all-purpose)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup / 65 grams sugar
1/2 cup / 110 grams unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
1/4 cup / 60 ml Amaretto liquor
Optional Add-on: dried cherries, finely chopped

Instructions

If you are using dried cherries, soak them in the Amaretto for at least 10-20 minutes.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.

In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs, sugar and the Amaretto (make sure to strain it if you're using soaked cherries) for about 5 minutes or until the mixture forms a ribbon when you lift the beater. If you soaked those cherries, this is the perfect moment to fold them in!

Gently fold in the dry ingredients with a whisk, followed by the butter in the same manner.

Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200 °C (400 °F), positioning the rack in the middle. Grease and flour a two madeleine pans, then set it aside.

Fill each cavity of the pan three-quarters full with batter.

Typically, you can fit the two trays together in a standard oven. If not, bake them one after the other for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the madeleines are lightly golden brown.

Once baked, remove them from the pan and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Serve with powdered sugar, if desired.