Galliano L'Autentico Liqueur
Galliano L'Autentico Liqueur is a 42.3% ABV (84.6 proof), 750mL Italian herbal liqueur created in Livorno in 1896 — a sweet, golden-yellow original bottled far stronger than most liqueurs, with vanilla as its hallmark top note over around 30 botanicals. It is sold in the tall, fluted bottle inspired by a Roman column. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 42.3% (84.6 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Italian herbal liqueur
- Botanicals: Around 30; producer-disclosed Mediterranean anise, star anise, juniper, musk yarrow, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon and vanilla
- Origin: Italy; created in Livorno, Tuscany
- Created: 1896 by Arturo Vaccari
- Owner: Lucas Bols
The Golden Liqueur Named for a Hero
Distiller and brandy producer Arturo Vaccari created Galliano in Livorno in 1896 and named it for Giuseppe Galliano, the Italian Royal Army officer who had become a national hero in the First Italo-Ethiopian War. The recipe stays guarded; the brand discloses only a handful of its botanicals, with vanilla handled and infused separately before blending. Its modern fame arrived in the 1970s, when the Harvey Wallbanger made it one of the biggest-selling liqueurs in the USA. Find it on our liqueurs shelf, browse the wider spirits range, or see it on the Galliano vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Golden yellow with a light green hue. Nose: Peppermint sweets, anise, juniper and delicate vanilla. Palate: Anise and peppermint first, then fresh herbs with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and citrus. Finish: Lingering, smooth vanilla with refreshing peppermint and spice.
How to Enjoy
Sip it as a digestif, neat or on the rocks, float it over vodka and orange juice for a Harvey Wallbanger, or build a Golden Cadillac, Golden Dream or Yellow Bird. A little goes a long way — cocktail pours of a quarter to half an ounce carry its aromatic weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Galliano taste like? Vanilla and anise lead, over a complex herbal base of around 30 botanicals including juniper, lavender, peppermint and cinnamon — sweeter and more vanilla-forward than sambuca or ouzo.
What is the alcohol content of Galliano L'Autentico? 42.3% ABV (84.6 proof) in the current US bottling — much stronger than most liqueurs, and stronger than the separate Galliano Vanilla expression.
What cocktail is Galliano famous for? The Harvey Wallbanger — vodka and orange juice with a Galliano float — which drove Galliano's 1970s popularity in the US.
The tall golden bottle every back bar knows — order Galliano L'Autentico online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.