Golden Dream Cocktail Drink

Golden Dream

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Our Golden Dream recipe makes creating this creamy, enjoyable drink a breeze; gather your ingredients and mix this cocktail for instant smiles.

Golden Dream Recipe

Celebrate the sunny season with our uncomplicated Golden Dream recipe, a creamy, citrus-infused delight that's a summer must-have!

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

291 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Galliano
  • 1 oz Triple Sec
  • 1 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange slice or twist, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Cocktail Strainer
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Make sure your old fashioned glass is chilled.
  • Add Heavy Cream: Measure and pour 1 oz heavy cream into the shaker.
  • Add Orange Juice: Pour 1 oz fresh orange juice into the mix.
  • Add Triple Sec: Follow with 1 oz Triple Sec.
  • Add Galliano: Measure and pour 1 oz Galliano into the shaker.
  • Prep Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake Well: Cap your shaker and give it a vigorous shake until the exterior frosts.
  • Strain: Strain the mixture into your old fashioned glass over ice cubes.
  • Garnish: Adorn with an orange slice or twist.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Galliano: Finding Galliano can be tricky sometimes. I've used other herbal liqueurs or a vanilla-flavored one, adjusting the sweetness as necessary. It changes the drink's character a bit but keeps it delicious.
  • Triple Sec: No Triple Sec? No problem. I've swapped it with other orange liqueurs like Cointreau or a splash of orange-flavored vodka for that citrus kick. Just keep an eye on the sweetness!
  • Heavy cream: I've sometimes used half-and-half or even whole milk for a lighter texture. It makes the drink less rich but equally enjoyable.

Making a Pitcher of Golden Dream:

  • Scale: To serve 8 people, you'll need 8 oz each of Galliano, Triple Sec, orange juice, and heavy cream.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients. Stir them well with ice.
  • Serve: For that fresh taste, serve in ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses garnished with an orange slice or twist.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Galliano Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vanilla or herbal tea syrup as a stand-in for Galliano's sweet herbal flavor.
  • Triple Sec Substitute: Opt for an orange juice concentrate or a non-alcoholic orange-flavored syrup.
  • Proceed As Usual: Replace the alcoholic ingredients with these non-alcoholic substitutes and follow the original steps for a delightful mocktail version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Heavy Cream Substitute: Swap the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or any plant-based cream alternative. Almond cream also works great and complements the nutty notes of Galliano. Just shake it well to achieve a nice, creamy texture.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
291
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Sodium
 
10
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
 
20
g
22
%
Potassium
 
92
mg
3
%
Cholesterol
 
32
mg
11
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Vitamin A
 
473
IU
9
%
Vitamin C
 
14
mg
17
%
Calcium
 
22
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.1
mg
1
%

 

Golden Dream Cocktail Drink

Golden Dream Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Celebrate the sunny season with our uncomplicated Golden Dream recipe, a creamy, citrus-infused delight that's a summer must-have!
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 291

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Galliano
  • 1 oz Triple Sec
  • 1 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • Ice cubes
  • Orange slice or twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Cocktail Strainer
  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Make sure your old fashioned glass is chilled.
  • Add Heavy Cream: Measure and pour 1 oz heavy cream into the shaker.
  • Add Orange Juice: Pour 1 oz fresh orange juice into the mix.
  • Add Triple Sec: Follow with 1 oz Triple Sec.
  • Add Galliano: Measure and pour 1 oz Galliano into the shaker.
  • Prep Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Shake Well: Cap your shaker and give it a vigorous shake until the exterior frosts.
  • Strain: Strain the mixture into your old fashioned glass over ice cubes.
  • Garnish: Adorn with an orange slice or twist.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Galliano: Finding Galliano can be tricky sometimes. I've used other herbal liqueurs or a vanilla-flavored one, adjusting the sweetness as necessary. It changes the drink's character a bit but keeps it delicious.
  • Triple Sec: No Triple Sec? No problem. I've swapped it with other orange liqueurs like Cointreau or a splash of orange-flavored vodka for that citrus kick. Just keep an eye on the sweetness!
  • Heavy cream: I've sometimes used half-and-half or even whole milk for a lighter texture. It makes the drink less rich but equally enjoyable.

Making a Pitcher of Golden Dream:

  • Scale: To serve 8 people, you'll need 8 oz each of Galliano, Triple Sec, orange juice, and heavy cream.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients. Stir them well with ice.
  • Serve: For that fresh taste, serve in ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses garnished with an orange slice or twist.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Galliano Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vanilla or herbal tea syrup as a stand-in for Galliano's sweet herbal flavor.
  • Triple Sec Substitute: Opt for an orange juice concentrate or a non-alcoholic orange-flavored syrup.
  • Proceed As Usual: Replace the alcoholic ingredients with these non-alcoholic substitutes and follow the original steps for a delightful mocktail version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Heavy Cream Substitute: Swap the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or any plant-based cream alternative. Almond cream also works great and complements the nutty notes of Galliano. Just shake it well to achieve a nice, creamy texture.

What is a Golden Dream?

A Golden Dream cocktail is a sumptuous blend of Galliano, Triple Sec, orange juice, and cream, offering a sweet and citrusy flavor profile that is perfectly balanced with a rich, creamy texture. This delightful concoction is celebrated for its dessert-like qualities, appealing to those who cherish a luxurious and flavorful drink experience. Furthermore, it is recognized as an official International Bartenders Association (IBA) cocktail, marking its status among the esteemed ranks of globally recognized drinks.

A Golden Dream cocktail, shot from above, in an old fashioned glass on a wooden plate placed on a white cloth with oranges around.

What is a Golden Dream made of – The ingredients

For the creation of a Golden Dream, these are the essential ingredients:

  • Galliano: An herbal liqueur providing a sweet, vanilla-anise flavor base that sets the cocktail’s distinctive taste.
  • Triple Sec: A clear, orange-flavored liqueur that injects a citrus zing, enhancing the drink’s fruity profile.
  • Orange Juice: Adds natural sweetness and acidity, balancing the liqueurs with a fresh, fruity component.
  • Heavy Cream: Introduces a rich, velvety texture, rounding out the cocktail’s body and smoothing its finish.

Galliano, Triple Sec, heavy cream, and two oranges laid out on a white bar table.

How do you make the Golden Dream?

Our guide demystifies the process of preparing a Golden Dream, one step at a time:

1
<p>Start chilling your glass by putting it into the freezer or by filling it up with ice.</p>

Start chilling your glass by putting it into the freezer or by filling it up with ice.

2
<p>Start the ingredient list by adding the heavy cream, giving your cocktail a rich, creamy texture.</p>

Start the ingredient list by adding the heavy cream, giving your cocktail a rich, creamy texture.

3
<p>Pour in the fresh orange juice, enhancing the citrus taste and adding a bit of natural sweetness.</p>

Pour in the fresh orange juice, enhancing the citrus taste and adding a bit of natural sweetness.

4
<p>Add the Triple Sec to your mix, introducing a bright, citrus note.</p>

Add the Triple Sec to your mix, introducing a bright, citrus note.

5
<p>Measure and pour the Galliano into the shaker, setting the foundational flavor for your cocktail.</p>

Measure and pour the Galliano into the shaker, setting the foundational flavor for your cocktail.

6
<p>Ice up the shaker.</p>

Ice up the shaker.

7
<p>Securely cap your shaker, and shake the mixture vigorously until the exterior frosts, mixing the ingredients thoroughly and chilling the drink.</p>

Securely cap your shaker, and shake the mixture vigorously until the exterior frosts, mixing the ingredients thoroughly and chilling the drink.

8
<p>Remove the ice cubes from your chilled old fashioned glass.</p>

Remove the ice cubes from your chilled old fashioned glass.

9
<p>Refill the chilled glass with fresh ice cubes.</p>

Refill the chilled glass with fresh ice cubes.

10
<p>Strain the well-blended cocktail into your old-fashioned, leaving out the ice shards and ensuring a smooth drinking experience.</p>

Strain the well-blended cocktail into your old-fashioned, leaving out the ice shards and ensuring a smooth drinking experience.

11
<p>Garnish your drink with an orange slice or twist to enhance the aesthetic and add a hint of extra citrus aroma.</p>

Garnish your drink with an orange slice or twist to enhance the aesthetic and add a hint of extra citrus aroma.

12
<p>Enjoy your Golden Dream cocktail!</p>

Enjoy your Golden Dream cocktail!

Golden Dream with Cointreau or Triple Sec – Choose your orange liqueur

Choosing between Cointreau and Triple Sec can significantly influence the cocktail’s flavor profile when making a Golden Dream. Both are orange liqueurs, but they bring different nuances to your drink. Cointreau, a premium French brand known for its smoothness and balance, offers a sweet yet tangy orange flavor derived from a mix of sweet and bitter orange peels. Its higher alcohol content, around 40% ABV, contributes a robust backbone to the cocktail, perfect for those who prefer a more vital hint of alcohol in their sips. On the other hand, Triple Sec is a category of orange-flavored liqueurs that are typically lighter in taste and alcohol content, usually hovering around 20-25% ABV. Brands like DeKuyper or Bols offer a sweeter, more candied orange taste, making the cocktail fruitier and more accessible, especially for those new to the drink.

A Golden Dream Cocktail, shot from above, on a white marmol table surrounded by two oranges, heavy cream, Triple Sec bottle and Galliano bottle.

History and Origin

The Golden Dream cocktail has its roots in the late 20th century, emerging during an era of sweet, creamy cocktails that gained popularity in various social scenes. Bartenders crafted this drink as a sumptuous treat for patrons looking for something beyond the classic, spirit-forward options.

The exact origin point of the Golden Dream remains hazy, as is the case with many cocktails, but experts often attribute its creation to Raimundo Alvarez from the Old King Bar in Miami during the 1960s or 1970s. This period saw a surge in creamy and dessert-like cocktails, with the Golden Dream fitting right into this category with its blend of Galliano, Triple Sec, orange juice, and cream.

Galliano, the drink’s herbal-liqueur star, was a product of 19th-century Italy, created by Arturo Vaccari of Livorno, Tuscany. He named it after Giuseppe Galliano, an Italian hero of the First Italo-Ethiopian War. Its sweet, vanilla-anise profile made it a popular choice in various cocktails, with the Golden Dream being one of the notable concoctions highlighting its unique flavor.

A side shot of a Golden Dream cocktail in old fashioned glass on a wooden plateplaced on a white clothsurrounede by three oranges and a cupper cup.

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FAQ

What is the alcohol by volume (ABV) of a Golden Dream?
The alcohol by volume (ABV) of a Golden Dream can vary depending on the ingredients, but it typically ranges from 15% to 25%.
How much proof is a Golden Dream?
The proof of a Golden Dream depends on the specific recipe used, but it typically ranges from 30 to 50 proof.
What types of alcohol are in a Golden Dream?
The types of alcohol in a Golden Dream typically include Triple Sec and Galliano liqueur.
In what type of glass do you serve a Golden Dream?
A Golden Dream is either served straight up, in a cocktail glass, or in an old-fashioned glass for a version served on the rocks.
What does a Golden Dream taste like?
A Golden Dream has a creamy and citrusy flavor with hints of vanilla and herbal notes.
What is the ingredient ratio for a Golden Dream? 
The ingredient ratio for a Golden Dream typically includes equal parts heavy cream, Galliano, triple sec, and orange juice.
How do you serve a Golden Dream?
A Golden Dream is usually served shaken with ice and strained into a glass. It can be garnished with an orange twist.

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