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Godfather Cocktail

Whisky
Author: The Bar Team
Old Fashioned whisky cocktail
Ingredients
Method

This simple, two-ingredient drink first appeared in the 1970s, gaining popularity around the time of the release of a movie by the same name, from which it derives its own. An excellent illustration of how two diverse ingredients work together to produce a nuanced flavour profile, the cocktail is generally served over ice in a rocks or old fashioned glass, allowing for leisurely sipping while the ice melts and opens up flavours.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

Serves:
1
  • Scotch whisky
    20ml
  • Amaretto
    10ml
  • Ice cubes, for stirring and serving
    Cup
  • Orange peel twist
    For garnish

Method

  1. Step 1

    Thoroughly cool a rocks or old fashioned glass by placing it in the freezer.

  2. Step 2

    In a mixing glass, blend the scotch and amaretto, along with some ice.

  3. Step 3

    Stir slowly but constantly for 20-30 seconds, until the mixture is well chilled and diluted.

  4. Step 4

    Strain into the chilled glass filled with more ice, garnish with orange peel and serve immediately.

Tips & Suggestions

  • Experiment with the scotch variety - a blended scotch provides a smoother, more palatable base whilst a single malt (unpeated or mildly peated) can provide fascinating layers of complexity that complement the amaretto’s sweetness.

  • Before adding ice to the serving glass, rub the rim and inside walls with the expressed orange peel to infuse each sip with a vivid citrus aroma.

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FAQs

The finest option for the cocktail is usually a blended scotch whisky such as Black Dog (or any other scotch whisky of choice), because its smoothness and adaptability allow the amaretto’s sweetness to elevate rather than overshadow the spirit’s flavour.

The cocktail is rich, smooth and slightly sweet, with a nutty almond flavour from amaretto blending well with the smoky or malty flavours of the base spirit.

An old fashioned combines whisky, sugar and bitters to highlight the spirit’s primary flavour whereas the Godfather combines scotch whisky and amaretto, emphasising a smoother, sweeter and nuttier character with no additional sugar or bitters.

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