Ciroc Amaretto 750ML

Ciroc Amaretto 750ML is a French grape-based flavored vodka bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof) in a 750ml format. Distilled five times in the Cognac region of France, this expression layers rich almond and cherry character over a clean vodka backbone — a grape-distilled alternative to traditional amaretto liqueurs that Wine Enthusiast praised for its big marzipan aroma, sweet almond flavor, and surprisingly elongated finish.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35%  |  Origin: Cognac Region, France  |  Style: Amaretto-Flavored Vodka  |  Producer: Diageo

Production & Heritage

Ciroc is produced at the Distillerie de Chevanceaux in the Cognac region of France, owned and operated by Diageo. Unlike the vast majority of vodkas on the market, which rely on grain or potato, Ciroc begins with fine French grapes that are harvested, vinified into wine, and then distilled five times — the final pass occurring in a traditional copper pot still, a technique borrowed directly from Cognac production. The Amaretto expression takes that clean, subtly fruity grape spirit and infuses it with natural amaretto flavoring, delivering the almond-forward profile of an Italian liqueur without the heavy sweetness typical of the category.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet cherry and marzipan dominate the nose, followed by toasted almond and a faint biscotti-like biscuit quality. A light peppery spice emerges underneath, hinting at the spirit's vodka foundations.

Taste: The entry is rich and almond-driven, with marzipan layered over lightly sweetened cherry. At mid-palate, baking spice and a subtle maple quality surface. Despite the amaretto character, the palate reads drier than expected — the mouthfeel suggests sweetness more than the sugar content actually delivers, and a light peppery bite from the grape spirit keeps things balanced.

Finish: Surprisingly long for a flavored vodka, with creamy almond lingering through to the close. Toasted biscuit and a whisper of cherry round out the final moments.

How to Drink Ciroc Amaretto

Served chilled or over ice, the Amaretto expression is approachable on its own, its lower 35% ABV and creamy texture making it easy to sip without dilution. It also performs well as a cocktail modifier:

• Amaretto Sour — substitutes directly for traditional amaretto, with the grape-spirit base adding a cleaner, lighter body to the drink.
• Espresso Martini — the marzipan and toasted almond notes complement coffee liqueur and fresh espresso without adding excessive sweetness.
• French Connection — paired with Cognac, this riff on the classic keeps everything in the same French terroir family while amplifying the almond character.

Best For

• Hosting a cocktail-focused gathering where guests prefer approachable, lower-ABV drinks
• Gifting to someone who enjoys amaretto but wants a lighter, vodka-based alternative
• Building a dessert cocktail menu around almond and stone-fruit flavors
• Introducing flavored vodka drinkers to grape-based spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ciroc Amaretto taste like? Ciroc Amaretto delivers rich marzipan and toasted almond flavors balanced by lightly sweetened cherry, with a dry, lightly peppery finish that distinguishes it from traditional amaretto liqueurs.

How does Ciroc Amaretto compare to Disaronno? Disaronno is a grain-based Italian amaretto liqueur at 28% ABV with pronounced sweetness, while Ciroc Amaretto is a French grape-based vodka at 35% ABV that reads drier and lighter on the palate. The almond profile is present in both, but Ciroc delivers it with a cleaner, more spirit-forward character.

Is Ciroc Amaretto good for cocktails? Yes — its lower sweetness compared to traditional amaretto and its 35% ABV make it a versatile cocktail ingredient that blends smoothly into sours, martinis, and dessert-style drinks without overwhelming other ingredients.

Where is Ciroc Amaretto made? Ciroc Amaretto is produced at the Distillerie de Chevanceaux, located in the Cognac region of France, where the base spirit is distilled five times from French grapes — the final distillation conducted in a traditional copper pot still.

What foods pair well with Ciroc Amaretto? Almond biscotti and cantucci echo the marzipan notes directly. Dark chocolate truffles complement the toasted almond and cherry character. Stone fruit desserts like apricot tart amplify the cherry undertones. Aged cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano create a savory contrast to the almond sweetness. Tiramisu makes a natural pairing given the shared biscuit and nutty flavor territory.

What sizes does Ciroc Amaretto come in? The standard size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Ciroc Amaretto worth the price? Ciroc Amaretto positions in the premium flavored vodka tier, above most mainstream flavored vodkas but justified by its five-times-distilled, grape-based production in the Cognac region — a process more labor-intensive than typical grain-based alternatives.

Why Ciroc Amaretto?

What separates this expression from countless flavored vodkas is its raw material: French grapes rather than grain, distilled five times with the final pass through a copper pot still — the same equipment used in Cognac production. That grape-spirit foundation gives the amaretto flavoring a cleaner stage to work from, resulting in a drier, more nuanced almond profile than you get from sugar-heavy Italian liqueurs. Wine Enthusiast recognized its quality, noting the surprisingly elongated finish and near-liqueur-like weight. For anyone who loves amaretto flavor but finds traditional versions too sweet or too heavy, this is the category crossover that actually delivers.