This week, we're taking a look at red bitter liqueurs - starting with Campari and moving on to the wide world of spirits that followed in its wake.
Cocktails Discussed:
The Church
1 oz. St. Agrestis Paradiso
1 oz. Grey Whale Gin
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. gomme syrup
1/2 oz. Cocci Americano
Based on the original recipe from the Locanda, as printed in San Francisco Cocktails by Trevor Felch
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube or sphere. Garnish with a wide strip of orange peel, and serve.
Eeyore's Requiem
1 1/2 oz. Bruto Americano
1 oz. Vya Extra Dry Vermouth
1/2 oz. London dry gin
1/4 oz. Cioco amaro
1/4 oz. Contratto Fernet
3 dashes orange bitters
3 orange peel twists
Based on Toby Maloney's recipe, as printed in Amaro by Brad Thomas Parsons
Combine all ingredients save the orange twists in a mixing glass with ice, and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Express the three orange peels over the surface of the drink, discarding the first two, and dropping the third in as a garnish.
Further Reading:
Gaspare Campari - https://www.italyonthisday.com/2020/03/gaspare-campari-Italian-drinks-maker.html
Origin Of The Spritz Veneziano - https://philosokitchen.com/spritz-veneziano-aperitivo-venice/#:~:text=The%20origin%20of%20the%20Spritz,sparkling%20water%20into%20the%20wine.
A New Boom of Italian Aperitivo Liqueurs - https://punchdrink.com/articles/a-new-boom-of-italian-aperitivo-liqueurs/
A Field Guide to the Great Wide World of Bitter Red Italian Spirits - https://www.saveur.com/bitter-italian-spirits-aperitivo-aperol-campari/