Ingredients
- 45 ml vodka good quality, neutral
- 30 ml amaretto Disaronno or similar
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice (a large cube is ideal).
- Pour in the vodka.
- Add the amaretto.
- Stir briefly to combine and chill.
- Serve. No garnish needed.
Notes
Where it came from
The Godmother appeared in the 1970s as the vodka version of the Godfather (Scotch and amaretto). The Godfather was already on bar menus by the late 1960s, riding the wave of the Mario Puzo novel and the 1972 film. The Godmother followed when bartenders realised vodka would let the amaretto’s almond character shine without the smoke.
It became a brunch and after-dinner staple in Italian-American restaurants. Easy to make, easy to drink, hard to mess up. A safe order at any bar in any country.
Why two ingredients work
Amaretto is already a complex liqueur: almond, marzipan, vanilla and a touch of bitter apricot kernel. Vodka is the clean canvas. Mix them and you get a smooth, sweet sip with the amaretto stretched into a longer drink. No citrus, no bitters, no garnish needed. Sometimes simple is the right answer.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The amaretto
- Use
- Disaronno (the standard, almost everyone has it)
- Try
- Lazzaroni Amaretto for a more bitter-almond, traditional Italian style
- Skip
- Cheap supermarket “almond liqueur”, too syrupy and one-note
The vodka
- Use
- Any clean premium vodka: Tito’s, Absolut, Ketel One
- Try
- Vanilla vodka for an extra dessert spin
- Why
- The vodka is the canvas. A clean spirit lets the amaretto carry the flavour.
The ice
- Use
- One large 5cm ice cube or sphere
- Skip
- Crushed ice or a heap of small cubes, melts way too fast
- Why
- A big cube chills the drink without diluting it into syrup.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Whisky turns it into a Godfather (the original). Brandy works for a softer, fruitier sip.
You need almond liqueur for this drink. There is no real substitute.
A 2:1 vodka to amaretto ratio is drier. The 3:2 build above is the standard.
Top with soda water in a highball. A French Connection cousin, easier sipping.
45ml total, equal parts, no ice. Chilled and downed neat is a thing too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Godmother cocktail?
Two ingredients: vodka and amaretto over ice. Standard build is 45ml vodka and 30ml amaretto in a rocks glass with a large ice cube.
What is the difference between a Godfather and a Godmother?
The Godfather uses Scotch whisky, the Godmother uses vodka. Same amaretto, same build. The whisky version is smoky and richer; the vodka version is cleaner and lets the amaretto’s almond character lead.
What kind of amaretto should I use?
Disaronno is the most common pour and works well. Lazzaroni Amaretto is the older, more bitter-almond Italian style if you can find it. Avoid cheap supermarket almond liqueurs, they tend to be too syrupy and one-dimensional.
Is the Godmother a strong cocktail?
Around 30 to 35 percent ABV in the glass. Roughly the same strength as a small neat pour. The sweetness can hide the punch, so drink slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Godmother?
Stir, briefly. Shaking adds water and air, which dulls the silky texture of amaretto. A few stirs over ice gets it cold without breaking the body of the drink.
Can I make a Godmother with whisky?
Yes, and now it is a Godfather. Equal build, just swap the spirit. Both versions are correct, depends on whether you want the smoke or the clean.
Is the Godmother good as a dessert drink?
Yes. The amaretto pairs naturally with chocolate, coffee, almond biscuits, tiramisu, panna cotta. Try it alongside biscotti or as the alcoholic finish to an espresso.
What food goes with a Godmother?
Italian-American classics: cannoli, tiramisu, dark chocolate, espresso. Also great with cheese boards featuring aged cheeses and dried fruit.
