The recipe
for your table
Place a 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, squeeze an orange zest over the glass and place it in the drink.
The story
The Godfather emerged in the 1970s, in the wake of the film of the same name from 1972 — Scotch whisky in the lead role and Italian amaretto as its supporting actor, precisely 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 a Godmother, with cognac French Connection, and with cream Godchild. All three follow the same principle; only the base differs.
The right glass
An old fashioned glass 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 instead — with whisky, the glass itself can be part of the experience.
Stölzle Lausitz Kyoto Tumbler 43 cl (6 pieces)
Stölzle Lausitz Power Tumbler 50 cl (6 pieces)
Twelve tumblers in two sizes — together € 69,90.
The right tools
For a Godfather, besides the glass, you use a bar spoon for stirring, a jigger for precise measuring, large ice cubes, and a zester for the twist. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 4 bar tools — together € 90,75.
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 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. Find 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 whole 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 stays 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. View 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 difficult 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 there.
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