The Golden Cadillac is one of those creamy mid century cocktails that always makes people smile. It tastes like a boozy vanilla milkshake with a hint of chocolate and anise from Galliano and white creme de cacao, finished with freshly grated nutmeg.
We love serving this as an after dinner holiday cocktail at private events, especially when guests are dressed up and lingering around the dessert table. It shakes up quickly, looks elegant in a chilled coupe and is easy to batch so the bar does not get slammed right as dessert hits the room.
How to Make a Golden Cadillac Cocktail
- Chill the glass. Place a coupe or small martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes so the drink stays frosty from the first sip to the last.
- Prep the garnish. If you want a dressed up rim, lightly dip the rim of the chilled glass in a shallow plate of cream, then into a plate of cocoa powder or finely grated chocolate. Set the glass back in the fridge while you mix the drink.
- Add ingredients to the shaker. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour in the Galliano, white creme de cacao and heavy cream or half and half.
- Shake until very cold and creamy. Seal the shaker and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside feels frosty and the mixture looks silky and slightly thick.
- Strain and garnish. Double strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to catch any ice chips. Grate a light dusting of nutmeg or chocolate over the top and serve immediately.
Bartender notes
- At events, we usually pre chill a tray of glasses and keep a small container of grated nutmeg at the bar so each drink can be finished to order in a few seconds.
- If guests want a lighter option, swap half of the cream for whole milk so the drink is still creamy but not quite as rich.
- Use a fine mesh strainer when you pour so the surface looks smooth and glossy instead of foamy and chunky with ice shards.
Golden Cadillac Variations
- Frozen Golden Cadillac. Blend the Galliano, white creme de cacao and cream with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a handful of ice until thick and milkshake like. Serve in a tall glass with a straw and nutmeg on top.
- Golden Cadillac with coffee. Add 1/2 ounce chilled espresso or coffee liqueur to the shaker for a coffee forward dessert drink that still keeps the classic vanilla and chocolate profile.
- Golden Cadillac without Galliano. If you do not have Galliano, combine 3/4 ounce vanilla liqueur or vanilla vodka with 1/4 ounce anise flavored liqueur plus the creme de cacao and cream. It will not be identical but keeps the vanilla and light herbal notes.
- Brandy Golden Cadillac. Add 1/2 ounce brandy and reduce the cream slightly for a hybrid of a Brandy Alexander and a Golden Cadillac. This makes a great winter after dinner option for brandy lovers.
- Holiday Golden Cadillac. Add a small pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg to the shaker and garnish with extra nutmeg. This reads as a Christmas dessert cocktail alongside holiday cookies and truffles.
Serving Suggestions
We usually serve Golden Cadillacs toward the end of the night when desserts come out and guests are ready to slow down from high energy cocktails. Think of it as a drinkable dessert that replaces or complements coffee service.
Pair it with chocolate truffles, tiramisu, shortbread cookies or anything with vanilla and caramel. If you are planning a full dessert bar, offer this alongside other creamy classics like a Brandy Alexander, Chocolate Martini or Holiday Nog so guests can choose their favorite style.
Make Ahead and Batching
- For a small party, you can pre mix the Galliano and white creme de cacao in a bottle and keep it chilled. Add the cream and ice only when you are ready to shake individual drinks.
- For a batched version, combine equal parts Galliano and white creme de cacao in a pitcher and keep in the fridge. Shake 3 ounces of the mix with 1 ounce cream per guest for consistent results.
- Because this drink contains cream, do not leave a pre mixed version at room temperature. Keep it chilled and discard any unused portion that has been sitting out for more than 2 hours.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving. Values are estimates and will vary based on the brands you use and whether you choose heavy cream or half and half.
- Serving size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 260
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Sugar: 19 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated fat: 8 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
More Creamy Dessert Cocktails
Planning a holiday party or corporate event and not sure how much alcohol and mixer to buy for creamy cocktails like this and more classic drinks on the menu. Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator to estimate bottles by guest count, then visit our bartender booking page if you would like our team to handle the mixing, garnishing and cleanup.
For more ideas, browse our cocktail recipes collection and the full Christmas cocktail recipes guide for seasonal drinks that fit your menu and guest list.
Golden Cadillac Cocktail FAQs
What is a Golden Cadillac made of?
A classic Golden Cadillac is made with Galliano liqueur, white creme de cacao and heavy cream or half and half. The three ingredients are shaken with ice until very cold and creamy, then strained into a chilled glass and finished with nutmeg or chocolate on top.
What was the Golden Cadillac drink of the 1960s?
The Golden Cadillac became popular in the 1960s as part of the wave of rich, dessert style cocktails that leaned on cream and liqueurs. It is often compared to a Brandy Alexander, but uses Galliano and creme de cacao instead of brandy for a lighter, vanilla forward flavor.
How do you make a Golden Cadillac extra creamy?
For a richer texture, use heavy cream instead of half and half and shake the cocktail hard with plenty of ice so the cream aerates slightly. You can also add a small splash of vanilla ice cream when you shake or blend for an ultra creamy, almost milkshake like version.
Can you make a Golden Cadillac without Galliano?
Galliano is traditional, but if you do not have it you can get close by combining vanilla vodka or vanilla liqueur with a small amount of an anise flavored liqueur plus white creme de cacao and cream. It will not be identical, but you will still get a creamy vanilla chocolate cocktail.
Is a Golden Cadillac strong?
The Golden Cadillac is boozy but feels gentle because the cream and sugar soften the alcohol. It is usually served in a smaller glass and sipped slowly as an after dinner drink, not as a session cocktail you drink several rounds of in a row.
Recent Comments