The recipe
for your table
Place one large ice cube in an old fashioned glass.
Pour the whisky and then the amaretto over the ice.
Stir gently with a bar spoon for 15 seconds until the glass is chilled.
If desired, express an orange zest over the glass and drop it in.
The story
The Godfather emerged in the 1970s, in the wake of the 1972 film of the same name—Scotch whisky in the starring role and Italian amaretto as its counterpart, exactly the combination suggested by the title. It is one of the few modern cocktails to make it into the standard repertoire without doing anything complicated, simply because the ratio is right. An entire family has grown around it: with vodka it is called the Godmother, with cognac the French Connection, and with cream the Godchild. All three follow the same principle; only the base spirit differs.
The right glass
An old fashioned glass with a capacity of 30 to 43 cl is the classic choice, and here the shape really matters. This cocktail contains no mixer, so dilution is your biggest enemy: you want one large ice cube instead of five small ones, and for that you need a wide glass with a generous opening. A thick, heavy base keeps the drink at temperature longer and gives it that familiar weight in your hand. Choose clear glass or a faceted model—the glass itself can be part of the experience with whisky.
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Variations & twists
Replace the whiskey with vodka and it’s called a Godmother; use cognac and you have a French Connection. Add a layer of cream and it becomes a Godchild. With a smoky Islay whiskey, you’ll get a much more exciting result than with a smooth blend — the smoke and almond sweetness complement each other perfectly. A dash of Angostura bitters brings it closer to an Old Fashioned. More inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
The classic ratio is 2 to 1, but that’s too sweet for most people. Start with 5 to 2 and adjust to taste — with two ingredients, the ratio is the entire recipe. Use one large ice cube: less surface area means slower dilution, and you’ll notice that immediately here. Amaretto is syrupy, so make sure to stir thoroughly; otherwise, it will remain as a sweet layer at the bottom.
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for a Godfather?
An Old Fashioned glass of 30 to 43 cl. Browse our Old Fashioned glasses.
Which whiskey is best to use?
A Scotch blend always works. A smoky single malt adds the most character; bourbon makes it sweeter and rounder. Save your best whiskey for sipping neat.
What is the right ratio?
Classically, 2 parts whiskey to 1 part amaretto. These days, many bartenders use 5 to 2 or even 3 to 1, because amaretto is quite sweet.
Can you make a Godfather alcohol-free?
More challenging than most cocktails, because both ingredients carry the flavor. With 0.0 whiskey and almond syrup with a drop of bitter almond, you’ll get a long way.
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