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Article Summary: Consider yourself warned. You won’t be able to refuse the Godfater cocktail. Inspired by the original Godfather movie, the Godfather is a two-ingredient cocktail with an easy recipe and a sweet yet sophisticated flavor.
Inspired by the cinema, the Godfather cocktail is ridiculously easy to craft with just two key ingredients (scotch and amaretto). More important, it’s a surprisingly complex drink that’s simultaneously sweet, strong and smooth.
In other words, the Godfather is a cocktail that you simply can’t refuse.
Fun Fact
The Godfather isn’t the only cocktail with a movie connection. There’s also the Vesper Martini, a/k/a the James Bond Martini, and the White Russian, which the The Big Lebowski‘s dude imbibed with passion. Then there are cocktails like the Dirty Shirley and Mary Pickford which are named after movie stars.
The Godfather is a two-ingredient cocktail that’s crafted with blended scotch and amaretto liqueur. While the original Godfather cocktail combinded these ingredients using a 1:1 ratio, our recipe uses a 4:1 ratio to create a cocktail that’s sweet without being cloying.
History of the Godfather Cocktail
It’s common knowledge that Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola wrote The Godfather’s screenplay and that Coppola directed the movie. It’s also obvious that Marlon Brando played the title role of Don Corleone. However, things aren’t so clear about the Godfather cocktail’s origin.
Nobody seems to know who deserves credit for inventing the tasty tipple. However, it’s a fair assumption that the Godfather cocktail was inspired by The Godfather movie. After all, the two names are obviously the same, plus both debuted in the swinging seventies.
Another connection is that The Godfather‘s characters drink scotch during key dramatic moments. In one of those moments, Tom Hagen breaks the news of Sonny’s death to Vito Corleone after the consigliere drank his drink.
Your need the following ingredients for this Godfather cocktail recipe:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
The first step is to drop a handful of ice into a mixing glass.
Next, measure the two liquors (scotch and amaretto) with a jigger. Immediately pour the measured liquors into the mixing glass.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Gently stir the licors with a bar spoon until they’re chilled and combined – approximately 10 seconds.
Drop a jumbo ice cube into your finest lowball glass. (We use a Riedel rocks glasses designed by Zane Harris.)
Pro Tip
Not only do jumbo ice cubes look pro, but they also melt more slowly due to their size.
Strain the stirred liquors into the lowball glass.
Drop the orange peel into the lowball glass as garnish.
While this cocktail could easily double as liquid dessert, the better option is to pair the Godfather with a traditional Italian dessert like panne cotta or tiramisu. Or, better yet, keep to theme and pair it with a cannoli.
While we love this Godfather recipe, feel free to tweak it to your liking. Here are some variations worth considering:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Godfather Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces scotch (blended)
- 1/2 ounce amaretto
- 1 ice cube (jumbo)
- ice cubes (for shaking)
- 1 orange peel (garnish)
Instructions
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Add a handful of ice to a mixing glass.
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Add scotch and amaretto.
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Gently stir.
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Drop a jumbo ice cube into a lowball glass.
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Strain the combined liquors into the lowball glass.
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Garnish the cocktail with the orange peel.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Godfather is a 2-ingredient cocktail that’s crafted with scotch and amaretto.
Although the Godfather’s invention is a mystery, mixology historians link the cocktail’s inspiration to The Godfather movie which debuted in 1972.
Scotch, Amaretta, a Jumbo Ice Cube, Orange Peel (garnish) and Ice Cubes for mixing
The Godfather cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
🍸 More 2-Ingredient Cocktails
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French Connection Cocktail
Mauresque Cocktail: Iconic French Cocktail
Whiskey Highball: Timeless Yet Modern
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