How to Make a Classic Golden Cadillac

The Golden Cadillac drink is like a dream! One sip of its rich, creamy, and nuanced flavor and you’ll be a believer.

Some drinks are a cut above the rest, and the Golden Cadillac is one of those cocktails. This pale yellow after-dinner drink blew me away with its creamy, complex flavor when I tried it for the first time.

If the name sounds a bit 1950s, that’s because it is, but I think this retro cocktail deserves a place among the greats. One sip and it’s herbal, creamy, and lightly chocolate, with hints of anise and nutmeg. It’s a little like a Brandy Alexander, but even better.

The Golden Cadillac is a unique and festive drink to whip out for parties or entertaining.

Creating the Golden Cadillac

The Golden Cadillac is an after-dinner drink made of Galliano, a sweet herbal Italian liqueur, crème de cacao, and cream. The story goes that it was invented in El Dorado, California, in 1952 at a restaurant called Poor Red’s.

The bartender, Frank Cline, created the drink for a couple who had just gotten engaged and let them name the drink. They named it after their new Golden Cadillac that was parked outside.

Most cocktail origin stories have a bit of legend to them, and sometimes, when they’re told so neatly, I’m not sure whether they quite measure up. But this is the most common telling of the tale! Either way, Frank Cline hit the jackpot when he designed this one. It’s similar to a Brandy Alexander, using Galliano instead of brandy. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Galliano
• Creme de cacao
• Heavy cream

More about Galliano

Galliano is probably best known for its inclusion in the 1970s hit drink, the Harvey Wallbanger. It’s worth picking up a bottle just for this cocktail alone. Here’s what to know:

• Galliano L’Autentico is a bright yellow, sweet herbal Italian liqueur. It’s made with a blend of 30 herbs, and it’s been produced in Tuscany, Italy, since 1896.
• The taste is sweet and complex, with a strong vanilla flavor and notes of anise, juniper, peppermint, cinnamon, and citrus.
• 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.
• Is it worth buying? Absolutely! You can drink it as a digestif (a shot after a meal) or mix it into Galliano cocktails. I’ve already mentioned the Harvey Wallbanger, but the Golden Dream and Yellow Bird are fantastic, too.

All about crème de cacao

Crème de cacao is the other heavy hitter in the Golden Cadillac drink. You might not have it in your liquor collection unless you love dessert drinks. Here’s what to know:

• Crème de cacao is a chocolate-flavored liqueur. It’s possibly one of the first alcoholic beverages, made in the 1600s by monks after cocoa beans were brought back to Europe from America. It’s available in two varieties: white (or blanc), which is clear, and dark, which is a rich brown color. Each has a distinct flavor.
• White crème de cacao is sweet, with a strong milk chocolate flavor and vanilla notes. The dark variety is sweet with a richer, dark chocolate flavor.
• Crème de cacao is mid-priced. One 750 ml bottle costs around $15 to 20. I like the brand Drillaud as a good mid-range option.
• Is it worth buying? Yes! There are lots of chocolate-flavored crème de cacao cocktails like the Grasshopper, Chocolate Martini, and Bushwacker for you to try after this one.

Making your Golden Cadillac

Once you’ve got the special ingredients, the Golden Cadillac is a breeze to make! You’ll simply shake up the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Here are a few tips:

• Check the freshness of the dairy first. Make sure you’re using fresh cream before you start mixing the drink.
• Shake in a cocktail shaker (or covered glass jar) until cold. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, use a glass jar and strainer.
• Nutmeg garnish is required! Here, the nutmeg plays a crucial role in the final flavoring. Do not omit it! Either fresh nutmeg or ground nutmeg works.

More after-dinner drinks

Looking for more after-dinner drinks or dessert drinks to end a meal? Here are a few more tasty sweet ways to end a meal:

• Whip up a creamy Classic Mudslide.
• Opt for the bright green Grasshopper.
• Try a rich and chocolaty Chocolate Martini.
• Get caffeinated with Amaretto Coffee, Kahlua Coffee, aB-52 Cocktail, or an Espresso Martini
• Try a classic White Russian.

When to serve

The Golden Cadillac is a dessert cocktail that’s perfect when you need a sweet treat, but it also works for happy hour or a signature cocktail. Try it for a:

• Dessert cocktail or sweet cocktail
• Happy hour drink
• Girls’ or guys’ night drink
• Cocktail hour drink
• Signature drink

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