Godmother Cocktail

Test Kitchen Notes

Film buffs, this one’s for you: According to legend, the man behind Vito Corleone’s iconic character was known to enjoy a cocktail named for the movie that made him famous, the Godfather. In the drink, Scotch and amaretto are combined and served on the rocks for a smoky, lightly sweet cocktail. Whether or not Brando actually enjoyed this sip may be up for debate—some sources say he was more of a Campari and orange juice kind of guy—but the fact remains that this beverage became popular enough to inspire countless, cleverly named variations that we still drink today.

This recipe is one such variation that swaps in vodka for the Scotch to create a relatively delicate cocktail that’s aptly called the Godmother. (There’s also the low-ABV Godchild that combines cream and amaretto, along with the boozy Godfather II that features bourbon alongside the sweet stuff.)

It’s no surprise that vodka made its way into the mix here, as it was super popular in the ’70s, and it’s easy to see why it stuck. A quality vodka like Ketel One is able to balance some of the sweetness of the amaretto, which makes for an even more sippable drink. Enjoy the Godmother cocktail after dinner on its own or with dessert (we love it with biscotti and tiramisu).

This recipe is shared in partnership with Ketel One Vodka. —The Editors