Galliano is one of Italy’s most distinctive liqueurs, instantly recognizable for both its tall, slender bottle and its striking golden color. Created in 1896 by Arturo Vaccari in Livorno, Tuscany, Galliano was inspired by Italy’s long tradition of herbal spirits but designed to stand apart through its bold aromatics and unique personality. Vaccari named the liqueur after Giuseppe Galliano, an Italian war hero of the time, giving the brand both a patriotic connection and a sense of romantic legend.

At its core, Galliano is a complex herbal liqueur made from more than thirty botanicals. The recipe includes Mediterranean herbs, spices, and roots such as star anise, juniper, lavender, cinnamon, and vanilla, with the vanilla in particular giving Galliano its characteristic sweetness and depth. The base is carefully distilled and blended to create layers of flavor that balance herbal freshness, spice, and warm sweetness. Its golden hue further emphasizes the sense of richness and indulgence.

The liqueur is best known internationally as a key ingredient in classic cocktails. The Harvey Wallbanger, which combines vodka, orange juice, and a float of Galliano, helped make the brand famous in the mid-20th century, especially in the United States. Beyond that, Galliano’s versatile flavor allows it to be used in a variety of drinks, from coffee-based creations to more modern craft cocktails, while also lending itself to culinary uses.

As a brand, Galliano embodies Italian style and flair. It represents both heritage and distinctiveness, with a bottle that commands attention and a flavor profile that is unlike any other liqueur. It has managed to remain relevant for more than a century by being both timeless and adaptable—steeped in tradition yet open to reinvention behind the bar. To pour Galliano is to bring a touch of Italy’s boldness, artistry, and history into the glass.