The Godfather recipe
for your table
Place a large ice cube in an old fashioned glass.
Pour the whisky over the ice first, then the amaretto.
Stir gently with a bar spoon for 15 seconds, until the outside of the glass becomes frosty.
If you like, squeeze an orange zest over the glass and add it.
What did you think of this recipe?
One click on a star is all it takes. If you'd like to add a comment, we'll review it before it appears here.
Save this recipe
Send the Godfather recipe to your own email so you’ll have it handy when you’re ready to make one. You’ll also get a €5 discount code on purchases of €50 or more, for the glasses to go with it.
The story
The Godfather appeared in the 1970s, shortly after the 1972 film of the same name. Scotch whisky takes the lead, with Italian amaretto alongside it. Fitting for the title. Few modern cocktails have become such a regular fixture on menus without anything complicated about them. It all comes down to the proportions. By now, it has a whole family. With vodka, it’s called a Godmother; with cognac, a French Connection; and with cream, a Godchild. The same idea each time, just with a different base spirit.
The right glass
The classic glass is an old fashioned glass of 30 to 43 cl, and the shape really matters here. This cocktail contains no mixer, so dilution is the biggest risk. You want one large ice cube, not five small ones, so you need a wide glass with a generous opening. A thick, heavy base keeps the drink cold longer and feels satisfyingly weighty in your hand. Choose clear glass or a cut-glass design. With whisky, the glass can make a statement.
Stölzle Lausitz Kyoto Tumbler 43 cl (6 pieces)
Stölzle Lausitz Power Tumbler 50 cl (6 pieces)
Twelve tumblers in two sizes together for € 69,90.
The right tools
For a Godfather, besides the glass, you’ll need a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for precise measuring, a zester for the twist, and large ice cubes. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you’ll find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our pick 01) + 4 bar tools together € 90,75.
What do you need to make a Godfather?
You need amaretto to make a Godfather. Popular bottles include Disaronno and The Macallan. Each drink page tells you the alcohol percentage, what it tastes like, which cocktails it goes well with, and which glass you need.
Variations & twists
Use vodka instead of whisky and you have a Godmother. With cognac, it becomes a French Connection. Add a layer of cream and you're drinking a Godchild. With a smoky Islay whisky, it’s much more intriguing than with a mellow blend. The smoke and sweet almond complement each other well. A dash of Angostura bitters nudges it toward an Old Fashioned. Find more inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
The classic ratio is 2 to 1, but most people find that too sweet. Start at 5 to 2 and taste. With just two ingredients, the ratio is basically the whole recipe. Use one large ice cube. Less surface area means it melts more slowly, and you can taste the difference straight away in this cocktail. Amaretto is syrupy, so stir well. Otherwise, a sweet layer will settle at the bottom.
Good to know
The Godfather cocktail and its variations
On some menus, it’s called The Godfather cocktail, as a nod to the film. You can also easily make a few variations with the same two bottles. For a Godfather sour, add fresh lemon juice and shake briefly with ice. That gets you close to an Amaretto Sour. If you want to serve it as a Godfather shot, leave out the ice. Chill the whiskey and amaretto beforehand and keep the same ratio in a small glass. Without ice, it won’t be diluted, so it’s just one sip.
Adjusting the Godfather cocktail recipe to taste
With just two ingredients, every half-centiliter makes a difference. So measure with a jigger and start on the drier side. Amaretto tastes very different from one bottle to another. A brand like Disaronno is really sweet, while a drier amaretto has more almond and less sugar. So pour in less amaretto than you think at first, then add more after stirring until it tastes right. A smoky whiskey can take a little more sweetness than a smooth blend. You can always add more, but you can’t take it back.
Frequently asked questions
What glass do you use for a Godfather?
An old fashioned glass, 30 to 43 cl. You’ll find them in our old fashioned glasses collection.
Which whiskey should you use?
A Scotch blend is always a safe bet. A smoky single malt gives it the most character. With bourbon, it becomes sweeter and rounder. Your best whiskey is simply enjoyed neat.
What’s the right ratio?
Traditionally, it’s 2 parts whiskey to 1 part amaretto. Since amaretto is quite sweet, many bartenders now go for 5 to 2 or even 3 to 1.
Can you make a Godfather alcohol-free?
That’s trickier than with most cocktails, because both ingredients determine the flavor. Non-alcoholic whiskey and almond syrup with a drop of bitter almond will get you most of the way there.
Everything for your bar,
at one address
Hospitality-quality glasses, sold in sets. Order today, delivered quickly.
Shop the glasses →