Golden Dream Cocktail

How to make the Golden Dream cocktail

You can whip this drink up at short notice with ease, as the only equipment you need is a shaker or a mason jar. Simply combine all ingredients listed in our recipe in the shaker with a good handful of ice and shake vigorously. Strain the luscious golden cream into cocktail glasses and serve. It’s that easy!

Tips to make the best Golden Dream cocktail

Success depends on the finest ingredients; anise liqueur brings a unique herbal flavor that’s sweet with hints of vanilla. Store-bought orange juice is readily available but for best results, we say fresh is best. For the orange liqueur, Grand Marnier offers a good bitter orange hit. Be sure to use heavy cream with 36% fat to stand up to the orange juice—we promise it lightens up when shaken into a heavenly liquid gold drink. Typically, this cocktail is not adorned with a garnish but if presentation is your jam, add a slice of quartered orange or a buttery tuille cookie to the foamy top before serving. And don’t forget to chill your glasses ahead of time.

A brief history of the Golden Dream cocktail

The Golden Dream cocktail story unfolds in the swinging 60s, in Miami sunshine with beach views and palm trees, at a cool hangout called the Old King Bar. Bartender Raimundo Alvarez dedicated this delicious drink to his favorite golden girl, Joan Crawford. The official crew who watch over cocktails globally—the International Bartenders’ Association—have since ranked the Golden Dream cocktail on their IBA Cocktail Top 50 list as a contemporary classic. That’s a stamp of approval if ever you needed one.

Golden Dream cocktail alcohol contents and calories

This 3 oz serving is reasonably lightweight, with roughly the same alcohol content as a glass of wine, at 15% ABV. There are 240 calories per serving.