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Galliano is a yellow herbal Italian liqueur with a nuanced vanilla flavor that makes cocktails go from good to great! Here’s how to use it.
It’s bright yellow, it’s beautiful, and it tastes divine: it’s Galliano liqueur! This Italian liquor rose to popularity in the 1970’s with the Harvey Wallbanger. But there’s so much more to it than a mixer for vodka and OJ! The sweet, nuanced flavor of vanilla, anise, juniper, and cinnamon adds an herbal complexity to any cocktail. This liqueur spawned several classic cocktails and deserves a spot in your collection, we think. Here’s more about it, when to use it, and the most popular cocktails that star this tasty liquor.
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 since 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 1890’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 we 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.
Why we like it
Galliano adds a sweet intriguing vanilla and licorice finish to any drink it touches. We weren’t expecting to like it as much as we do! The Golden Cadillac, Golden Dream, and Yellow Bird are must-try cocktails in our opinion.
Confession: we weren’t alive in the 1970’s, so we don’t have any of the retro baggage related to this ultra-popular liqueur. While it has since faded in popularity, we think it deserves a revival.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liquors, 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. We 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 many 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
Harvey Wallbanger & More Galliano Cocktails
The most popular Galliano cocktail? Try the Harvey Wallbanger, a recipe that’s a sophisticated spin on the Screwdriver.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) vodka
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) orange juice (fresh squeezed, if possible)
- ¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) Galliano liqueur (Galliano L’Autentico)
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
- For the garnish: Orange wedge, cocktail cherry (optional)
Instructions
- Add the vodka and orange juice to a glass with ice and stir a few times until cold.
- Pour the Galliano over the back of a spoon onto the drink. Garnish and serve.
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