The classic Godfather does not waste time: whisky, amaretto, and ice. The Brooklyn Godfather arrives with a little more tailoring. Bourbon takes the lead, both dry and sweet vermouth join the conversation, and it’s stirred over ice and served up. It keeps the nutty comfort of the original, but feels lighter on its feet and considerably more polished.
Bourbon is an especially good match with the amaretto. Its vanilla, caramel, and oak naturally lean into the liqueur’s almond sweetness, creating a warm first sip with no shortage of charm. There are still two full ounces of whiskey at work, though, so the drink never wanders into dessert territory. The amaretto softens the bourbon, but it does not smother it.
The vermouths are what give this Godfather its Brooklyn address. Dry vermouth adds a fresh herbal edge, while a smaller measure of sweet vermouth fills in the middle with dark fruit and spice. Together, they keep the drink from settling too comfortably into sweetness. It is a bit like a Godfather that borrowed a Manhattan’s good jacket, and decided to keep it.
Best served cold in a coupe with a maraschino cherry, the Brooklyn Godfather is rich but composed, with bourbon warmth, almond, herbs, and fruit all moving wandering across the palette. It makes a fine after-dinner drink, particularly when an Old Fashioned sounds predictable and a standard Godfather feels a little underdressed.
Check out the full recipe here:
Brooklyn Godfather
Bourbon, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth