Gold Strike
The cinnamon shot with real gold flakes and 50% alcohol. Everything about its taste, why you drink it ice-cold, the alternatives, and the shot glass that goes with it.
A 50% cinnamon shot with real gold flakes
Gold Strike, also spelled Goldstrike, is a Dutch cinnamon liqueur made by Bols in Amsterdam. The liqueur is clear, strong (50%), and filled with flakes of 23-karat gold leaf that swirl when you shake the bottle. The idea isn’t new: as far back as the sixteenth century, people in Danzig drank a herbal liqueur with gold called Goldwasser.
In the Netherlands, Gold Strike is best known as a shot served in bars and at festivals. With its high alcohol content and sweet cinnamon flavor, it’s a drink you have in small servings, ice-cold. The gold is edible and tasteless; it’s purely for show.
In brief
Gold Strike and similar shots
Gold Strike comes in one version: the 50 cl bottle. If you like cinnamon or a strong shot, these are the alternatives.
Gold Strike
The one and only: clear cinnamon liqueur with swirling gold flakes. Shake, serve chilled, and drink in one go.
Fireball
Canadian whisky with cinnamon. Less strong than Gold Strike, sweeter, and with a whisky base.
Monkey shot
Dutch liqueur flavored like the familiar candy. Sweet and fruity, the opposite of cinnamon.
Dropshot
The Dutch licorice shot: sweet, dark and mild. For those who prefer licorice to cinnamon.
Shake the bottle before pouring, or the gold will stay at the bottom.
Sweet cinnamon, then fire
Cinnamon sticks
Warm, sweet cinnamon like a cinnamon roll, followed by a sharp kick of alcohol.
Sweet and hot
First sweet cinnamon, then the burn of 50% alcohol. It’s softer and more syrupy when ice-cold.
Long and warming
The cinnamon lingers, and the warmth slowly sinks in. That’s where the name comes from.
Gold Strike’s flavor profile when served ice-cold. At room temperature, the alcohol is much more pronounced.
How to drink Gold Strike
At 50% alcohol, Gold Strike isn’t a drink to sip. Small, cold and all at once: that’s the idea.
Ice-cold as a shot
Keep the bottle in the freezer, shake it so the gold swirls around, and pour 2 cl into a shot glass. Drink it in one go.
Glass: shot glass →With apple juice
A shot of Gold Strike in a highball glass full of ice, topped up with cold apple juice. Tastes like apple pie and is much milder than drinking it neat.
Glass: highball glass →In hot chocolate
A small splash of Gold Strike in hot chocolate or coffee, topped with whipped cream. Warming, sweet and with a kick of cinnamon.
Christmas cocktails →Shots and cocktails with Gold Strike
Gold Strike is usually enjoyed neat as a shot. These recipes and shots go well on the same evening.
All shots
From Gold Strike to B52 and Kamikaze: all shot recipes with the right glass.
Apple pie shot
Apple juice, liqueur and a cinnamon rim. Replace the liqueur with Gold Strike for a stronger version.
B52 shot
Kahlúa, Baileys and Grand Marnier in three layers. The prettiest shot to make.
Kamikaze shot
Vodka, triple sec and lime. A refreshing shot after Gold Strike’s sweet cinnamon.The right glass for Gold Strike
A shot glass with a thick base that can go in the freezer, preferably made of clear glass so you can see the gold swirling around. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Gold Strike
Can’t find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What percentage of alcohol does Gold Strike contain?
Is there really gold in Gold Strike?
How do you drink Gold Strike?
What’s the difference between Gold Strike and Fireball?
Is it Goldstrike or Gold Strike?
How long does an opened bottle of Gold Strike keep?
Buy Gold Strike
Want to have the bottle at home right away? Order Gold Strike online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can check the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it won’t cost you anything extra. No 18, no alcohol.
