Golden Cadillac recipe
A decadent mid-century dessert cocktail blending herbal Galliano with rich chocolate and cream.
Method: Shake and fine strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 30 ml Galliano L'Autentico (or herbal liqueur)
- 30 ml White crème de cacao (chilled)
- 30 ml Heavy cream (high fat content)
How to make a Golden Cadillac
- Chill a coupe glass in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Add Galliano, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes.
- Shake vigorously for ten to fifteen seconds until thoroughly chilled and aerated.
- Fine strain the mixture through a mesh strainer directly into the prepared chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and serve immediately.
Garnish
Grated fresh nutmeg dusted lightly across the surface.
Pro tip
Shake vigorously with quality ice to achieve a velvety emulsion and prevent the heavy cream from separating. Using fresh high-fat cream ensures a luxurious mouthfeel without feeling overly cloying.
History of the Golden Cadillac
The Golden Cadillac cocktail originated during the mid-twentieth century, commonly attributed to the Poor Red's Bar-B-Q in El Dorado, California, around 1952. While popular lore suggests it was invented to honor a customer's newly purchased golden Cadillac, historical accounts of its exact creation remain anecdotal. The drink gained widespread national popularity across American supper clubs during the 1950s and 1960s as a decadent, dessert-focused digestif before fading from favor alongside shifting consumer palates toward lighter, drier cocktails.
Flavour profile
Creamy, Sweet, Vanilla, Herbal
Variations
- Silver Cadillac — Substitute crème de menthe for crème de cacao for a minty twist.
- Flying Grasshopper — Combine equal parts green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream with a splash of Galliano.
Practise making the Golden Cadillac in the free Virtual Bar game.