Skip advertisement Advertisement

The Boss

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (71)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 23 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
56 fl oz Adriatico Amaretto Liqueur

How to make

Glassware

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Alcohol content:

  • 1.7 standard drinks
  • 30.97% alc./vol. (61.94° proof)
  • 23.3 grams of pure alcohol

History

Adapted from a recipe in Stanley M. Jones' 1977 Jones' Complete Barguide:

(The) BOSS
Old Fashioned Glass
Build
1-1/2 oz Bourbon
1/2 oz Amaretto
Fill with ice

Stanley M. Jones, Jones' Complete Barguide, 1977


Godfather cocktail story and variations

Review

Amaretto brilliantly enriches bourbon. I tried adding a couple of dashes of bitters but found myself preferring the simplicity of just the two ingredients.

Variations/similar cocktails

Godfather (Scotch whisky and amaretto); Godmother (vodka and amaretto); Godchild (brandy and amaretto)

Difford’s Shop logo
$2.53 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 7.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Scott McIsaac Premium Member
I have a sentimental fondness for this one. When I was in college in the late 1970s, on the night when a girl I had a crush on told me she had chosen a rival suitor, a sympathetic bartender served me three of these gratis. He called it a Godfather (which according to Simon is made with scotch, not bourbon, but it's the same concoction no matter what you call it). I remember stumbling back to my dorm but not much else.
score: 2
Lou Panetta
Very smooth. The simplicity of this doesn't take away from how enjoyable it is. Made mine with 1792 Bourbon and Disaronno.
score: 1
Graeme McPherson
Quite an enjoyable nightcap. Really smooth. A bit subtler than the Godfather.
score: 1
Robert Dahlgren
Wow! I really like Godfather, but didn't think that Bourbon would make that much a difference. I was wrong. Only had Maker's Mark at home but next time I'll try with a different one!
score: 1
Juniper Lately
Adapted slightly with 2oz bourbon, 3/4 oz amaretto, 1/4 oz luxardo maraschino. It was really delicious! After a hard day at work I’m calling this “Screw the Boss” ;)
score: 7
Kevin Haynes Premium Member
Excellent adaptation! Since there was Luxardo Maraschino in the cocktail, it absolutely needed a Luxardo Maraschino cherry as a garnish!
score: 2
Matt Musick
I'd adapted this as well to these exact specs and called it "Glory Days" as a nod to "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen. Very tasty.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Instead of bourbon, decided to use a double barrel American Whiskey with the final aging in port casks. It was great. Very smooth with the hints of almond. Great as a night cap.
score: 3
Difford’s Shop logo
$2.53 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 7.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.