Godmother
The Godmother is the vodka-based counterpart to the famous Godfather cocktail. It combines the clean, neutral profile of vodka with the sweet, nutty flavor of amaretto liqueur. This two-ingredient drink is incredibly easy to make, typically built directly in an Old Fashioned glass over ice. Its smoothness and simplicity make it an excellent digestif or a sophisticated nightcap.
Preparation
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Godmother is a classic cocktail, often served as a digestif or after-dinner drink. It belongs to the "Duo" family of cocktails, which consist of a base spirit and a liqueur. Its simplicity and smooth flavor profile make it a timeless choice.
Serving
The Godmother is a short, cold drink served over ice in a rocks glass. With an ABV of around 25%, it's a moderately strong but very smooth sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 2.25-3 oz / 67.5-90 ml (before ice)
Alcohol content
Around 24-28% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Old Fashioned glass
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The Godmother's origins are closely tied to its sibling, the Godfather, which rose to popularity in the 1970s, coinciding with the release of the famous film. It is believed to have been created as a variation for those who preferred the cleaner taste of vodka over the Godfather's scotch whisky. The name cleverly plays on the same theme, creating a small "family" of amaretto-based cocktails.
Origin
United States, likely created in the 1970s. Its exact creator is unknown, but its emergence followed the widespread success of the Godfather cocktail.
Godmother
The drink is primarily known as the Godmother. There are no significant alternative names, though it is sometimes referred to as the Godmother Cocktail to distinguish it in menus.
Original name
Godmother
Alternative name
Godmother Cocktail
Characteristics overview
The Godmother presents a dominant sweet almond and marzipan aroma and flavor, balanced by the clean base of vodka. It has a smooth, silky texture and a clean, nutty aftertaste, making it a pleasant sipper for any season.
Flavor
nutty, sweet almond, marzipan, hint of apricot, smooth spirit
Aroma
sweet almond, cherry, marzipan
Taste balance
sweet, balanced
Aftertaste
clean, sweet, nutty, short
Fizziness
none, still
Color appearance
light amber, pale gold, clear
Texture
smooth, silky, slightly viscous
Seasonality
all-season, year-round
Flavor intensity & Experience
The Godmother is moderately sweet with a distinct nutty fruitiness from the amaretto. It has no sour, salty, or spicy notes, offering a smooth, moderately strong alcoholic profile that is never fizzy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This simple cocktail requires only two ingredients: vodka and amaretto liqueur. The classic recipe uses a 2:1 ratio, but this can be easily adjusted to suit your preference for sweetness.
- Vodka1.5 oz / 45 mlA clean, neutral vodka works best to let the amaretto shine.
- Amaretto Liqueur0.75 oz / 22.5 mlThe ratio can be adjusted to taste, from 1:1 to 4:1 vodka to amaretto.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
No special equipment is needed beyond a jigger for measuring and a bar spoon for a quick stir. This drink is built directly in the serving glass, so no shaker is required.
- Jigger or measuring cup for measuring ingredients.
- Bar spoon for stirring.
Instructions
This cocktail is built directly in the glass for ultimate simplicity. Just fill a rocks glass with ice, add the vodka and amaretto, and give it a quick stir before serving.
1. Take an Old Fashioned glass (or rocks glass).
2. Fill the glass with fresh ice cubes.
3. Pour the vodka and amaretto liqueur directly over the ice.
4. Give the drink a brief stir with a bar spoon to combine and chill the ingredients.
5. Serve immediately.
Garnishing
The Godmother is traditionally served without a garnish, celebrating its elegant simplicity. However, a lemon twist can be added to provide a bright citrus aroma that complements the sweet amaretto.
- None. The drink is traditionally served without a garnish.
- Lemon Twist (optional). Express the oils over the drink and drop it in for added aroma.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is typically caffeine-free, dairy-free, and vegan. While distilled vodka is gluten-free, individuals with severe nut allergies should be cautious as amaretto is almond-flavored and may contain nuts.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
A single serving of a Godmother contains roughly 180-220 calories, with around 10-14 grams of carbohydrates, nearly all of which are from the sugar in the amaretto liqueur.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-14 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-14 g
Sugar level
Occasions
Perfect as an after-dinner digestif, the Godmother also serves as a sophisticated nightcap. Its simplicity makes it ideal for casual sipping at home or for serving at a cocktail party where ease of preparation is key.
- After-dinner drink
- Nightcap
- Casual sipping
- Cocktail party
Pairing suggestions
The Godmother's sweet, nutty profile makes it an excellent partner for desserts. It pairs beautifully with almond-based treats like biscotti, rich dark chocolate, or even creamy, mild cheeses. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a liquid dessert.
- Biscotti or almond cookies
- Dark chocolate
- Mild cheeses like ricotta or mascarpone
- As a standalone dessert
The Godmother: A Simple and Elegant Classic
The Godmother is a simple yet sophisticated two-ingredient cocktail that balances the clean bite of vodka with the sweet, nutty flavor of amaretto. As the vodka-based sibling to the scotch-based Godfather, it gained popularity in the 1970s and remains a classic after-dinner drink. It's incredibly easy to make by building it directly in a glass over ice, making it perfect for home bartenders and professionals alike. Its smooth, approachable flavor makes it a timeless nightcap.