Golden Cadillac

The idea for the Golden Cadillac cocktail came from Poor Red’s BBQ, a bar in the Sierra Nevada foothills town of El Dorado, California. Legend has it that a newly-engaged couple requested a celebratory cocktail that matched the color of their gold Cadillac. Bartender Frank Klein invented the golden-hued cocktail by combining Galliano with creme de cacao and heavy cream.

As someone who lives in Wisconsin, a state where supper club culture is alive and well and boozy ice cream drinks flow freely after the dinner plates are cleared, I am most familiar with the ice cream version of the Golden Cadillac cocktail, but this deliciously decadent version replaces the ice cream with heavy cream.

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Golden Cadillac Ingredients

• Galliano Autentico Italian liqueur: Galliano is an Italian herbal liqueur that’s golden in color thanks to its secret recipe of 30 herbs, spices and plant extracts. It has a complex flavor profile that includes vanilla and anise along with subtle hints of citrus and herbs.
• White creme de cacao liqueur: Make sure to use white creme de cacao, which is a clear liqueur, and not the dark version. Though similar in flavor, dark creme de cacao has a higher alcohol content and heavier body (making it ideally suited for chocolate martinis). Its darker color will obscure the golden hue of this Golden Cadillac drink.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds richness and body to this Golden Cadillac cocktail. For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half cream.
• Freshly shaved chocolate: This Golden Cadillac recipe calls for freshly shaved or grated chocolate as a garnish.

Directions

Step 1: Shake the cocktail

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Add the Galliano, creme de cacao and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously to combine.

Step 2: Garnish and serve the cocktail

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Strain the cocktail into a well-chilled champagne coupe. Garnish it with freshly shaved chocolate, if desired.

Editor’s Tip: When serving chilled cocktails up (that is, without ice), place your serving glass in the freezer for 15 minutes before you’re ready to pour your cocktail.

Golden Cadillac Variations

• Make a frappé: Instead of shaking the ingredients over ice, you can turn this Golden Cadillac drink into a frappé by blending together the liqueurs and heavy cream with ice for a slightly thicker drink.
• Add ice cream: If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, a Golden Cadillac also makes a delicious ice cream drink. To make a Golden Cadillac with ice cream, simply substitute one to two scoops of vanilla ice cream for the heavy cream and then whir all of the ingredients together in a blender. Serve it in a martini glass with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
• Take it to the tropics: For a tropical twist, substitute coconut cream for the heavy cream. This version was popular at 1970s cocktail parties when the Golden Cadillac had its first comeback!

Can you make Golden Cadillac cocktails in advance?

Unfortunately, cocktails like this one that are made with heavy cream do not batch well, as the cream will separate over time. Instead, plan to make Golden Cadillac cocktails to order. Given the simple 1:1:1 ratio, this cocktail comes together rather quickly—unlike fussier cocktail recipes with fresh-pressed citrus, fruit juice or complicated garnishes.

Golden Cadillac Tips

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What’s the best glass to serve a Golden Cadillac?

In homage to its celebratory origins, a Golden Cadillac cocktail is commonly served in a champagne coupe. However, you could also serve a Golden Cadillac in other types of cocktail glassware, like a Nick and Nora glass or a martini glass.

When should you serve a Golden Cadillac?

A Golden Cadillac is most commonly served as as an after-dinner drink. And while it’s typically served as dessert on its own, this creamy sip also pairs well with chocolate desserts, such as a rich piece of chocolate cake.