Gibbo Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Gibbo is a laid-back highball that sits firmly in the “easy mixer” camp, pairing a sweet liqueur with familiar fizzy favourites. You won’t find a widely agreed origin story for it, but its build makes sense in the modern, casual-drinking era: a spirit-forward base softened by beer and lengthened with cola for a long, sessionable serve. It’s the kind of drink that feels designed for low-effort mixing and big, approachable flavour.
On the palate, the amaretto brings a rich, syrupy sweetness that immediately sets the tone. Cola doubles down on that sweetness with its own dark, caramel-like character, creating a smooth, rounded core. The lager then cuts through with crisp carbonation and a lighter, drier edge, lifting the drink so it doesn’t feel too heavy and giving you a brisk, refreshing finish.
Serve it in a highball when you want something uncomplicated and crowd-pleasing—ideal for house parties, barbecues, or game nights. You’ll like it if you usually reach for sweeter mixed drinks, but still want a bit of fizz and bite to keep things lively from first sip to last.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Amaretto leads with almondy sweetness that melts into cola’s caramel fizz, while lager adds a crisp, lightly bitter edge that keeps the highball from turning syrupy. The lager’s snap and bubbles lift the amaretto and cola into something surprisingly drinkable; it’s ideal for anyone who likes sweet, low-effort mixed drinks with a faint beer bite.
Method
How to make a Gibbo
- Amaretto 60ml, Lager 90ml, Cola 90ml
-
- Take a half pint glass, add the two shots of amaretto then the coke, then add the lager
-
- Add some ice cubes and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Gibbo with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What type of Amaretto is best used in a Gibbo cocktail?
For a Gibbo cocktail, using a quality Amaretto is key to achieving the best flavor balance. A traditional Italian Amaretto, known for its rich, almond-like taste, complements the cola and lager beautifully. Brands like Disaronno or Lazzaroni Amaretto are excellent choices due to their authentic flavors and smoothness.
What is the ideal way to serve a Gibbo?
The ideal way to serve a Gibbo is in a highball glass, as specified. Ensure the cocktail is cold, not shaken or stirred but rather layered or gently mixed to preserve the carbonation of the lager and cola. Garnish with a slice of lime or lemon for an added zest, enhancing the overall drinking experience.
How can I customize the Gibbo cocktail to suit my taste?
To customize a Gibbo, consider adjusting the ratios of the ingredients based on your taste preference. If you prefer a sweeter drink, increase the amount of Amaretto or cola. For a lighter version, reduce the Amaretto and substitute with more lager or a splash of soda water. Adding a dash of bitters or a squeeze of fresh citrus can also introduce new flavor dimensions.
How does the alcohol content of a Gibbo compare to a standard beer?
A Gibbo cocktail has an alcohol content of 8.88%, which is higher than most standard beers, which typically range from 4% to 6% alcohol by volume (ABV). This makes the Gibbo a stronger option, ideal for those who desire a beverage with a more significant alcohol presence without venturing into the higher ABV content of spirits or cocktails.
What food pairs well with a Gibbo?
Given its unique combination of cola, Amaretto, and lager, a Gibbo pairs well with foods that complement its sweetness and slight bitterness. Barbecue dishes, spicy foods, or hearty burgers can balance the sweetness of the Amaretto, while lighter options like cheese platters or salty snacks can enhance the cocktail's nuanced flavors.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Experience this vibrant fusion of spirits and juices
Dirty Bong Water
Spiced rum, Amaretto, Raspberry liqueur, Blue curaçao, Lime juice, Lemon juice
Savor this rich mix of amaretto and citrus
Amaretto Cruise
Peach schnapps, White rum, Amaretto, Orange juice, Cranberry juice, Sour mix, Cream
Experience this cozy blend of tea and amaretto.
Christmas Tea Warmer
Orange liqueur, Amaretto, Cinnamon, Tea
Experience this velvety blend of cream and liqueur.
PS I Love You
Gold rum, Amaretto, Bailey's, Galliano, Cream
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments