California Root Beer

A deceptively simple cocktail from the 1980s that tastes surprisingly like root beer in a glass. It combines smooth vodka, the herbal-vanilla complexity of Galliano, and the deep roasted sweetness of coffee liqueur, lifted by a splash of soda water. A stronger, build-in-the-glass riff on the bartender's root beer.

smart_display Published 2026-04-30 download Extracted 2026-05-01

2m Prep

2m Total

1 Servings

cocktail vodka galliano coffee-liqueur build-in-glass rocks easy american retro no-cook

Ingredients

45 ml vodka
30 ml Galliano Vanilla
22.5 ml coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua, Tia Maria, or Mr. Black)
60 ml soda water (or sparkling water)
to fill ice

Steps

1

Fill a rocks glass with ice.

~1 min
2

Pour 1.5 oz (45 ml) of vodka over the ice.
3

Add 1 oz (30 ml) of Galliano Vanilla.

Tip: Recipes typically just call for Galliano without specifying — Vanilla works beautifully here, but L'Autentico also works.
4

Add 0.75 oz (22.5 ml) of coffee liqueur.

Tip: For a less sweet drink, use Tia Maria or Mr. Black instead of Kahlua.
5

Top with about 2 oz (60 ml) of soda water or sparkling water.
6

Stir gently with a barspoon until well combined and serve.

Tip: The result is a light brown color — visually a touch lighter than actual root beer, but the flavor lands.

~1 min

Nutrition (per serving)

220

Calories

18g

Carbs

Cultural Context

The California Root Beer has been around since at least the 1980s and is closely related to the bartender's root beer. Other regional variations swap the coffee liqueur for actual beer or cola (Pepsi or Coke), but this version leans into Galliano's vanilla-anise herbal profile combined with coffee liqueur to mimic root beer's signature flavor without using any actual root beer or cola.