When people come over to my house for a dashing evening of snacks, records, and conversation, they often partake of one of my signature cocktails. There are a few different drinks that I pour, but my go-to is the Godfather. I used to make Old Fashioneds for guests, but after discovering the Godfather, I realized that less effort was the way to go for a quick, boozy treat. Why muddle, measure, and prep garnishes when I could just pour and stir? Work smarter, not harder.
A true Godfather is made with Scotch and amaretto. But after one too many nights drinking Scotch to excess in my 20s, I don’t enjoy it like I used to. Call it liquor PTSD or spirit trauma, but the taste reminds me of waking up with a splitting headache and a taste in my mouth like someone was using it for an ashtray. I also feel like mixing Scotch with anything is sacrilegious, like putting ketchup on a steak. Sure, you can do it, but that doesn’t mean you should.
The Godfather itself became popular in the 1970s, likely named after The Godfather movie, though there’s no actual connection I’m aware of. Maybe someone thought it was a drink worthy of Don Corleone, or maybe they just wanted to sound tough while sipping something sweet. Maybe it’s because amaretto is Italian. Either way, it became a classic after-dinner drink, thanks to its slightly sweet, nutty profile.
Since Scotch and I are on a break, my alcohol of choice for the last decade or so has been bourbon. So I adapted the Godfather to use bourbon, because true innovation is just lazy theft with a personal twist. Bourbon is actually considered an acceptable substitute, so I’m not doing anything freaky over here. I like to call it A Southern Gentleman’s Godfather — because it sounds refined, even if you’re drinking it in sweatpants. Though usually, my friends and I just refer to it as a Godfather, with that adapted recipe understood.
If you want to get fancy — or just impress your friends by rattling off obscure cocktail variations — there are plenty of ways to tweak the Godfather. Swap the Scotch for vodka, and you’ve got The Godmother, a drink that’s smooth but morally ambiguous. Prefer something a little more sophisticated? The French Connection trades Scotch for cognac, also referencing a staple film of the 1970s. And if you think your Godfather should taste like a moonlight milkshake, there’s The Godchild, which replaces Scotch with cream for a lower-alcohol dessert drink.
But back to the bourbon; it’s sweeter and less smoky than Scotch, which makes the drink smoother and more caramel-forward. The vanilla, caramel, and spice notes in bourbon pair beautifully with the almond richness of amaretto. Plus, it’s less peaty, so if you’re not a fan of drinking something that tastes like a campfire, this is the way to go. I usually use Bulleit Bourbon, but since Christmas of last year I’ve been using Basil Hayden, a thoughtful gift from my staff, who clearly know me well.
My version strays even further from tradition. The usual ratio in the original Godfather is 2 oz of Scotch and ¼ oz of amaretto. Instead, I go with a 1:1 mix — one ounce of bourbon, one ounce of amaretto. This keeps the amaretto from getting lost while still letting the bourbon shine. It’s a solid way to enjoy the drink without it being too boozy or too sweet. It’s also faster to measure — a shot of each in a tumbler with ice. I suppose you could add a dash of bitters or even some soda, but that’s starting to sound like effort again.
There’s no widely recognized name for my exact ratio, but again, it’s still considered a variation of the Godfather. I prefer the 1:1 approach because it smooths out the booze while keeping the almond flavor more pronounced. It’s also easy to order in a bar where they don’t know what a Godfather is; the drink, once popular in the 70s and 80s, eventually fell out of favour. You just ask for a shot of bourbon and a shot of amaretto in a short glass on ice. Done. Simple.
Whatever you call it, and whatever ratio you prefer, The Godfather is an easy, delicious way to drink like a boss — or offer your guests a tasty libation they can’t refuse.
Bourbon Godfather / Southern Gentleman’s Godfather / Craig’s Godfather
Serve in a short tumbler on ice
1 oz bourbon
1 oz amaretto
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