Galliano Hot Shot: recipe for a coffee shot with Galliano and cream

Galliano cocktail or Galliano shot with whipped cream and coffee

Galliano Hot Shot is a layered coffee shot: Galliano at the bottom, hot coffee in the middle and whipped cream on top. Here you get the recipe with measures, the history and facts about Galliano.

Quick overview: Galliano Hot Shot: Galliano cocktail

Pour the galliano into a suitable glass and let the coffee run lightly over the back of a spoon to settle on top of the galliano. Top with whipped cream and serve immediately.

Galliano Liquore is an Italian vanilla liqueur that presents a clear and golden color along with fresh bittersweet aromas of orange, vanilla and eucalyptus, accompanied by a characteristic sweet herbal flavor with hints of vanilla and anise. Galliano Liquore is best enjoyed neat or as an ingredient in shots, drinks and cocktails, it is especially known for being an ingredient in the Hot Shot, a coffee drink most often enjoyed as a shot.

Measures, history and the most common questions are below.

Updated: October 2026

Galliano Hot Shot at a glance

Drink	Galliano Hot Shot
Layers	Galliano, hot coffee, whipped cream
Measures	1.5 cl of each
Glass	Shot glass, preferably pre-heated
Liqueur	{galliano-vanilje-liqueur-19377p.html\|Galliano Vanilla}, 30%
Served	Immediately, no garnish

How to make a Galliano Hot Shot

Pre-heat a shot glass.
Pour 1.5 cl Galliano into the glass.
Pour 1.5 cl hot filter coffee slowly over the back of a spoon so it settles on top of the Galliano.
Lightly whip 1.5 cl cream until it is thick but still pourable, and lay it on top of the coffee with the spoon.
Serve immediately.

The measures are equal parts and come from Galliano’s own recipe and Difford’s Guide. The coffee should be hot and the cream only lightly whipped, otherwise the layers will not sit neatly.

The history of the Galliano Hot Shot

The drink is credited to the Swedish bartender Bosse Bergström, who made it for a coffee drink competition in Stockholm in the late 1980s. Sources give both 1987 and 1988. He used Galliano instead of anisette.

It quickly became popular in the ski resort of Sälen and spread from there across Sweden. Difford’s Guide calls it Sweden’s answer to the Irish Coffee. Sweden also has a national Hot Shot day, on the last Friday of November.

Facts about Galliano

Liqueur	Galliano, Italian vanilla liqueur
Founded	1896 by Arturo Vaccari
Named after	Giuseppe Galliano, an officer in the Italian army
Strength	Vanilla 30%, L’Autentico 42.3%
Flavour	Vanilla and anise with citrus and herbs
Bottle	Shaped like a Roman column
In our shop	{galliano-vanilje-liqueur-19377p.html\|Galliano Vanilla Liqueur, 35 cl, 30%}

Other drinks with Galliano

Galliano is also used in the Harvey Wallbanger, Golden Cadillac, Yellow Bird and Golden Dream. You will find more drink recipes here.

Our verdict: is the Galliano Hot Shot for you?

The Hot Shot is a small dessert in a glass. It is sweet and warm, so it works best after dinner. The only thing that takes a little practice is the layers: the coffee should run slowly over the spoon and the cream should be lightly whipped. We stock the Vanilla version of Galliano, which is also used in Galliano’s own Hot Shot recipe.

Galliano Hot Shot: frequently asked questions

What is a Galliano Hot Shot?

A layered coffee shot with Galliano at the bottom, hot coffee in the middle and whipped cream on top.

How do you make a Galliano Hot Shot?

Pour 1.5 cl Galliano into a pre-heated shot glass. Pour 1.5 cl hot coffee over the back of a spoon, and lay 1.5 cl lightly whipped cream on top.

What goes in a Galliano Hot Shot?

Three things in equal parts: Galliano, hot filter coffee and lightly whipped cream.

Where does the Galliano Hot Shot come from?

Sweden. The bartender Bosse Bergström made it for a coffee drink competition in Stockholm in the late 1980s.

When is Hot Shot day?

In Sweden the national Hot Shot day falls on the last Friday of November.

What is Galliano?

An Italian vanilla liqueur from 1896 with vanilla and anise, citrus and herbs. It is named after Giuseppe Galliano.

How strong is Galliano?

Galliano Vanilla is 30%, and the original L’Autentico is 42.3%.

Should the cream be whipped?

Yes, but only lightly. It should be thick enough to float on top of the coffee.

What else can you use Galliano for?

For the Harvey Wallbanger, Golden Cadillac, Yellow Bird and Golden Dream. It can also be drunk neat.

Where can I buy Galliano?

At Whisky.dk: Galliano Vanilla Liqueur, 35 cl, 30%.

Read and shop on

See the whole Galliano range, more liqueurs and coffee liqueurs. Facts about Galliano are on Wikipedia, and Galliano has its own Hot Shot page. Remember the right equipment: see our cocktail equipment.

Ready to make the first one? Find Galliano Vanilla in the shop and get a cup of hot coffee.

EUR 22,75

Galliano Hot Shot: recipe for a coffee shot with Galliano and cream

Quick overview: Galliano Hot Shot: Galliano cocktail

Galliano Hot Shot at a glance

How to make a Galliano Hot Shot

The history of the Galliano Hot Shot

Facts about Galliano

Other drinks with Galliano

Our verdict: is the Galliano Hot Shot for you?

Galliano Hot Shot: frequently asked questions

Read and shop on

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Galliano Hot Shot: recipe for a coffee shot with Galliano and cream

Quick overview: Galliano Hot Shot: Galliano cocktail

Galliano Hot Shot at a glance

How to make a Galliano Hot Shot

The history of the Galliano Hot Shot

Facts about Galliano

Other drinks with Galliano

Our verdict: is the Galliano Hot Shot for you?

Galliano Hot Shot: frequently asked questions

Read and shop on

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