Today, I messed around with a bottle of Galliano, and let me tell you, it was quite an adventure. I’d heard about this Italian liqueur, all golden and herbal, and I was itching to give it a try. So, I grabbed a bottle from the store, the tall, skinny one that just screams “try me.”

Getting Started
First off, I popped the top and took a whiff. It’s got this strong, sweet smell, kind of like a mix of vanilla and licorice, with a bunch of other herbs I couldn’t quite place. It definitely piqued my curiosity. I poured a little bit into a glass, just to taste it straight.
- Sipping it neat, it’s pretty intense. The vanilla hits you first, then comes a wave of different herbal flavors. It’s sweet, but not in a sugary way, more like a complex, herby sweetness.
- I could pick out some anise and licorice for sure, and maybe some juniper. It’s a bit much on its own, but I could see how it would be interesting in a cocktail.
Experimenting with Cocktails
So, I decided to get a little creative. I remembered seeing Galliano in Harvey Wallbangers, so I figured I’d start there. I mixed up some vodka, orange juice, and then floated some Galliano on top. It looked pretty cool, all layered in the glass.
- Tasting the Harvey Wallbanger, I could see why it’s a classic. The Galliano adds this unique herbal note to the orange and vodka, making it way more interesting than just a Screwdriver.
- Next, I tried a Golden Cadillac. I shook up some Galliano, white creme de cacao, and cream with ice. This one was a real treat. It’s like a creamy, dreamy dessert in a glass. The Galliano and chocolate flavors played really well together.
- Feeling adventurous, I even tried making a simple Galliano sour. I mixed some Galliano with lemon juice and a bit of simple syrup. It was surprisingly good! The tartness of the lemon really balanced out the sweetness of the liqueur.
Final Thoughts
After all that experimenting, I ended up really liking Galliano. It’s not something I’d drink every day, but it’s definitely a fun bottle to have around for making cocktails. It adds this unique, herbal complexity that you just don’t get from other liqueurs. It is so unique that I will keep making some new cocktails with it. Plus, that tall, skinny bottle just looks cool on my shelf.