Galliano for Whisky Lovers

Maybe it's her Italian heritage, but Washington, D.C.-based mixologist Gina Chersevani has a soft spot for Italian liqueurs, like Galliano L'Autentico. “Galliano is a very different kind of liqueur,” she says. “It could be incredibly masculine if you let it take the lead in a vodka drink. But when you mix it with rye or bourbon, or even some Japanese whiskies, it becomes softer, and other flavors start to present themselves.”

Galliano is made from a proprietary blend of 30 herbs and spices—including Mediterranean anise, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, and vanilla—that undergoes seven infusions and distillations. Both the exact recipe and production process have been kept secret since they were conceived back in 1896 by distiller Arturo Vaccari, who made the liqueur to honor Italian war hero Giuseppe Galliano.

While Galliano has a place in classic cocktails like the Harvey Wallbanger, there are other creative avenues for this vanilla-forward liqueur. “With rye and bourbon, Galliano brings on these tropical notes, so I love using it with passion fruit or pineapple,” she says, adding that for these reasons the liqueur is also a great ingredient to use in whisky-based brunch cocktails. “Galliano, Maker's Mark, and a bit of orange juice or grapefruit juice? Yeah, that's lovely.”

Try These Galliano and Whisky Cocktails

Other Fruit

Gina Chersevani of Suburbia, Washington D.C.

• 2 oz. WhistlePig rye (or other rye)
• ¾ oz. Galliano L'Autentico
• 1 oz. passion fruit juice
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 oz. pomegranate juice

In a blender, combine all ingredients. Add 1½ cups ice, and blend until smooth. Serve in a cocktail glass and top with a Galliano floater.

Aereo d'Oro

Jessica King of Brother Wolf, Knoxville

• ¾ oz. Koval single barrel rye (or other rye)
• ¾ oz. Galliano L'Autentico
• ¾ oz. Aperol
• ¾ oz. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and fine strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a thin peel of lemon.

The Blind Pilot

Lance Mayhew, mixologist

• 1 oz. bourbon
• 1 oz. Galliano L'Autentico
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth

In a mixing glass, add all ingredients over ice. Stir vigorously for 30 seconds, then strain into a cocktail glass.

The Belmont

Angie Mar for the former Beatrice Inn, New York City

• 2 oz. Islay single malt scotch
• ½ oz. Galliano L'Autentico
• ¼ oz. peach liqueur
• ½ oz. ginger syrup
• 1 oz. lemon juice