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Substitutions · 6 dishes here use it
Almond-scented and very sweet, so it functions as the sugar in a drink rather than as an addition to it. Its bitterness underneath is the part that keeps it from being cloying.
Everything below is judged against that job. A swap that covers it is a swap; one that only looks similar is not.
Functional substitution system
For amaretto, the page's working definition is: Almond-scented and very sweet, so it functions as the sugar in a drink rather than as an addition to it. Its bitterness underneath is the part that keeps it from being cloying. The swap cards below are judged against that job rather than visual resemblance.
Job → candidate → side effects → small test → correct.
1 · Job
What is the missing ingredient doing?
2 · Candidate
Choose the shelf item that replaces that function.
3 · Side effects
Check water, fat, salt, acid, sweetness, and texture.
4 · Small test
Change a spoonful or small portion first when possible.
5 · Correct
Taste again and move only the axis that is still wrong.
Instead · 1
a quarter teaspoon of extract per ounce of syrup, used as the amaretto
Instead · 2
three quarters ounce orgeat, a quarter ounce brandy per ounce
Instead · 3
one for one
These need it and are short enough that nothing hides: 4 required ingredients or fewer. Make the swap a decision rather than a repair.
The company amaretto keeps in this library, counted off required ingredients. A swap that argues with the top two is the wrong swap, whatever a chart says.