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Galliano is a golden Italian liqueur with notes of vanilla and anise that transforms cocktails like the Harvey Wallbanger. Here’s what it tastes like, how to drink it, and the best substitutes.
Galliano can’t be missed: this tall, tapered bottle of bright yellow liqueur has a 1970s aesthetic to go with the classic mixed drinks it’s famous for!
It’s most well-known for the retro Harvey Wallbanger cocktail. But as a cocktail expert, I think its intriguing flavor of vanilla and anise makes it deserving of more than just retro drinks. It adds a sweet, herbal complexity that turns simple drinks into something a lot more interesting. Here’s what to know about this Italian classic: what it tastes like, how to drink it, and the retro cocktails that deserve a comeback.
What is Galliano?
Galliano L’Autentico is a bright yellow, sweet herbal Italian liqueur. It’s made with a blend of 30 herbs, spices and plant extracts, and was invented in Tuscany, Italy in 1896. Its inventor, Arturo Vaccari, named it after Giuseppe Galliano, an Italian officer of the Royal Italian Army. Vaccari decided to make the liqueur gold in color to honor Italians traveling to California for the gold rush in the 1800’s.
Galliano went on to become the highest selling liquor in America in the 1970’s, due to the popularity of the Harvey Wallbanger! Some say the popularity of Galliano in the 1970’s is like that of St Germain today (and I concur).
What does Galliano taste like?
Galliano liqueur is sweet with a very complex flavor. It has strong notes of vanilla and anise, and subtler tone of juniper, peppermint, lavender, and cinnamon.
Are there any substitutes? Galliano is a unique liqueur that’s worth seeking out. In a pinch, you can use Licor 43, a vanilla-flavored Spanish liqueur that’s popularly used in a carajillo.
How to Drink Galliano
There are a few ways I like to serve Galliano liqueur:
- Sip it straight as a digestif. In Italy, Galliano is traditionally served neat or chilled in a small glass after dinner. The sweetness and herbal notes make it a natural pairing with dessert (try it with dessert drinks after dinner or a square of dark chocolate).
- Add it to coffee. A splash in hot coffee makes a vanilla-forward take on the carajillo, the Spanish and Mexican spiked coffee usually made with Licor 43.
- Mix it into cocktails. Galliano works well with vodka and orange juice (the classic Harvey Wallbanger), with cream and crème de cacao (the Golden Cadillac), and with rum and lime (the Yellow Bird). A little goes a long way: most recipes only call for ½ to ¾ ounce.
Storage tip: Galliano doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Store the bottle at room temperature away from direct sunlight, and it will keep its flavor for years after opening thanks to its sugar and alcohol content.
Why I like it
Galliano adds a sweet intriguing vanilla and licorice finish to any drink it touches. I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I do! The Golden Cadillac, Golden Dream, and Yellow Bird are must-try cocktails in our opinion.
Confession: I wasn’t alive in the 1970’s, so I don’t have any of the retro baggage related to this ultra-popular liqueur. While it has since faded in popularity, I think it deserves a revival.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liqueurs, Galliano is mid-priced. It costs about $17 to $20 for a 375 ml bottle and about $30 to $35 for a 750 ml bottle. I recommend getting the small size, since you’ll only use a bit at a time.
Most popular Galliano cocktails
Galliano is fantastic straight as a digestif after a meal. It also features in several cocktails, most of them after dinner cocktails.
Harvey Wallbanger
Make way for the Harvey Wallbanger! This easy highball cocktail is the Screwdriver‘s more sophisticated cousin. Galliano gives this otherwise boring brunch drink a complex, funky herbal finish.
History: In the 1960’s, the company that imports Galliano liqueur hired a man to create a cartoon of Harvey Wallbanger to sell the drink. The image of the colorful, anxious-looking surfer dude caught on and helped the drink become massively popular in the 1970’s.
Golden Cadillac
This pale yellow after dinner drink will blow you away with its creamy, complex flavor! One sip and it’s herbal and lightly chocolate, with hints of anise and nutmeg.
History: The story goes that it was invented in El Dorado, California in 1952 at a restaurant called Poor Red’s. The bartender created the drink for a couple who just got engaged, who named it after their new Golden Cadillac that was parked outside.
Golden Dream
This classy cocktail was popular in the 1960’s and 70’s, and we think it’s time for a reprieve. One sip and you’ll be instantly intrigued: in fact, it tastes like a boozy Creamsicle!
History: It was invented in Miami by Raimundo Alvarez sometime in the 1960’s, and it was dedicated to actress Joan Crawford at some point.
Yellow Bird Cocktail
Here’s a tasty sweet and sour cocktail that’s uniquely delicious: the Yellow Bird cocktail! This bright yellow drink is a sour cocktail with a little extra bling: a nuanced finish with notes of vanilla and licorice.
History: Unknown; likely invented in the 1960s or 1970s
More cocktail guides
Wondering what Campari is? Or St Germain or Chartreuse? Here are a few more guides to cocktail and mixology:
- Guide to Orange Liqueur All you need to know about this somewhat confusing style of liquor.
- Quick Guide to Cointreau and Quick Guide to Grand Marnier
- Guide to Creme de Cacao This chocolate liqueur is key to many popular after dinner drinks.
- Guide to Grenadine It’s mistaken as cherry, but this bright syrup has a secret.
- Quick Guide to Chartreuse This pale green liqueur is worth adding to your collection…here’s why.
- Quick Guide to Absinthe This formerly banned liquor is now in good graces.
Didn’t there youst to be a drink with Galliano and banana liquor called a banana boat