Golden Cadillac Cocktail Recipe

Golden Cadillac Nutrition Facts

Calories:350

Fat:15g

Protein:2g

Carbohydrates:20g

Alcohol:14%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: August 23, 2024

History

The Golden Cadillac cocktail was created in the 1950s at Poor Red's Bar-B-Q in El Dorado, California. It was named after the Cadillac automobile, which was a symbol of luxury and wealth during that time. The cocktail quickly gained popularity and became a favorite among Hollywood celebrities and high society.

  • The cocktail is known for its luxurious and indulgent taste, making it a popular choice for celebrations and special occasions.
  • The Golden Cadillac is often associated with the glamorous lifestyle of the 1950s and 1960s Hollywood elite.

How Golden Cadillac Tastes?

The Golden Cadillac has a rich, creamy, and velvety texture with a perfect balance of sweet and bitter flavors. The combination of Galliano, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream creates a decadent and indulgent taste, reminiscent of a luxurious dessert.

Interesting facts about Golden Cadillac

  • The Golden Cadillac is sometimes served as a dessert cocktail due to its rich and creamy taste.
  • The cocktail is often garnished with a cherry or a sprinkle of grated chocolate, adding an extra touch of elegance and indulgence.
  • The original recipe called for equal parts of Galliano, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream, but modern variations may adjust the proportions to suit individual tastes.

Ingredients

Galliano

  • Flavor: It brings a unique herbal-anise flavor that's critical to distinguish the Golden Cadillac.
  • Balance: 1 oz ensures the Galliano doesn't overpower the other ingredients, given it's potent.
  • Without It: Skipping Galliano makes it a no-Go(lden) Cadillac — you'd lose the defining herbal sweetness.

Alex Green

White Crème de Cacao

  • Flavor: Adds a subtle chocolate flavor, contributing to the dessert-like quality.
  • Balance: Equal parts maintain harmony—too much, and it's candy in a glass; too little, and the chocolate whisper might go unheard.
  • Without It: You'll miss the sweet cocoon that cradles the Galliano's herbal punches.

Mary Mitkina

Heavy Cream

  • Texture: For luxurious creaminess and mouthfeel—it's like the foam on your latte.
  • Balance: Again, 1 oz keeps the ingredients singing in a trio, not a solo.
  • Without It: The drink becomes a wistful memory of the lush, velvety indulgence you could have had.

Emma Rose

Maraschino Cherry

  • Accent: This is your cocktail's exclamation point! It gives a pop of color and a sweet finish.
  • Balance: One cherry is the perfect full stop—more may turn your glass into a fruit salad.
  • Without It: You could, but why? It's like signing off a letter with no signature—something's amiss!

Alex Green

Recipe. How to make Golden Cadillac Drink

  1. Chill a cocktail glass by filling it with ice and letting it sit for a few minutes.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the Galliano, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream.
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well chilled and frothy.
  4. Discard the ice from the chilled cocktail glass.
  5. Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.
  6. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh heavy cream for a richer, creamier texture.
  • Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously to ensure the ingredients are well mixed and the cocktail is frothy.
  • Chill the glass before serving to keep the cocktail cold for longer.

Perfect Pairings

Dessert Pairings

  • Chocolate Delights: The sweet notes of crème de cacao complement chocolate-based desserts perfectly.
  • Fruit Tarts: A fruity dessert could play nicely with the cherry garnish and the slight herbal notes from the Galliano.

Coffee Drinks

  • Espresso: A bold espresso matches the richness of the cocktail while the coffee's bitterness can cut through the creaminess.
  • Caffè Latte: Pair with a latte for a creamy duo that amplifies the velvety texture of the Golden Cadillac.

Cheese

  • Creamy Cheeses: Think Brie or Camembert, which would work well with the lush mouthfeel of the drink.

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What you could change in Golden Cadillac

  • Galliano: Can be substituted with other herbal liqueurs like Yellow Chartreuse.
  • White Crème de Cacao: Can be replaced with dark crème de cacao or chocolate liqueur.
  • Heavy Cream: Can be substituted with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter cocktail.

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And of course - twists🍹

Espresso Cadillac

  • Add a 1/2 oz of espresso. This will inject a kick of caffeine that pairs wonderfully with the chocolate notes.
  • Recipe: Add the espresso to the shaker along with the other ingredients and shake well. The flavour profile will lean towards a caffeinated chocolate dream.

Nutty Cadillac

  • Swap the Galliano for Frangelico to add a hazelnut twist.
  • Recipe: Use 1 oz of Frangelico instead of Galliano, shake and serve. The drink will have a nutty personality, making it even more cozy and inviting.

Pink Cadillac

  • Infuse with a splash of grenadine for a fruity and colorful take.
  • Recipe: Include a 1/2 oz of grenadine with the original ingredients. The cocktail will have a blush of pink color and a slightly tart sweetness, revving up the fun factor.

In case you forgot basics how to make Golden Cadillac

Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.

Learn everything on how to shake

Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.

Learn everything on how to strain

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Golden Cadillac

Can I add other garnishes to the Golden Cadillac?

Absolutely, though traditionally a maraschino cherry is used, feel free to get creative. You could add a twist of lemon peel for a citrusy aroma or a sprinkle of nutmeg for a hit of spice.

What is the best time to enjoy the Golden Cadillac?

Given its rich and indulgent flavor, the Golden Cadillac makes for an excellent after-dinner drink or late-night sipper.

Is the Golden Cadillac a seasonal cocktail?

While you can enjoy this cocktail any time of the year, its creamy texture and balance of sweet and bitter flavors makes it a popular choice during the colder months.

What kind of food pairs well with the Golden Cadillac?

The Golden Cadillac pairs well with dessert items such as chocolate cake or vanilla pudding. It can also complement salty snacks like pretzels or popcorn.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Golden Cadillac?

Yes, an alcohol-free version can be made by substituting the Galliano with a non-alcoholic herbal tea and replacing the crème de cacao with a rich chocolate milk.

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