Godfather
Scotch and amaretto over ice. Two ingredients, a 1970s pedigree, and a name borrowed from a film — sweeter than a whisky on the rocks, and better than its reputation.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Fill a rocks glass with ice, ideally one large cube.
Add the scotch and amaretto.
Stir for about 15 seconds until cold.
Serve plain, or with an expressed orange peel.
A thoughtful finish
- The 1970s poured equal parts; four to one is the modern ratio and a far better drink. The amaretto is a sweetener, not a partner.
- A smoky or sherried scotch makes an interesting version; a soft blend makes the easy one.
- A large cube keeps it from turning to sweet water.
Common mistakes
- Equal parts. It becomes an amaretto with scotch in it.
- Shaking. It is a stirred, built drink.
- Cheap amaretto, which tastes of artificial almond and nothing else.
A few good questions.
What is a Godfather made of?
Scotch and amaretto, over ice. That is the whole recipe.
What is the difference between a Godfather and a Godmother?
The spirit. A Godmother is vodka and amaretto; a Godfather is scotch and amaretto.
Did Marlon Brando drink it?
The amaretto brand has said so for decades. There is no record that he did.
Can I use bourbon?
Yes — bourbon and amaretto is sometimes sold as a Boss or a Godfather variation, and the vanilla in bourbon suits the almond.
Variations
- Godmother — Vodka and amaretto.
- Rusty Nail — Scotch and Drambuie.
- Black Russian — Vodka and coffee liqueur.
- Amaretto Sour — Amaretto, lemon and egg white.
Where it comes from
c. 1972 · United States
Contested. More than one origin is claimed for this drink. We show the competing accounts rather than pick one.
The Godfather appeared in the early 1970s, almost certainly in the wake of the 1972 film, and the amaretto brand that benefited most has long claimed Marlon Brando as its favourite drinker — a claim with no evidence behind it. Whoever first poured Scotch over amaretto, the drink’s simplicity made it a staple of the decade’s rocks-glass repertoire alongside the Rusty Nail and the Black Russian. Its siblings followed the family theme: the Godmother (vodka and amaretto) and the Godchild (with cream).
Sources
- Gary Regan, The Joy of Mixology, 2003 (book)
- Difford's Guide, Godfather, 2015 (reference)
- Robert Simonson, A Proper Drink, 2016 (book)
Strength. About 1.63 US standard drinks at an estimated 34.1% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
A keeper?
Save this drink for your next cocktail hour.
Saved in this browser.The next great drink
might already be on your shelf.
Choose your bottles and mixers. Discover what you can make.