Wonderfully bitter, and with a satisfying bite, the Gin-Campari Old Fashioned is your ticket to a relaxing evening.
They say to save special things for yourself for a rainy day. It’s been raining here in Los Angeles. An atmospheric river is rolling through our neck of the woods, and as a result, a town that’s been on fire lately is now getting drenched. We’ve been getting through it though, with a sense of community and camaraderie that only people who live in this wild town can fully understand. Go to any bar in any neighborhood and you’ll feel it… folks aren’t going out to nihilistically dance the night away as everything around them feels hopeless. On the contrary, we’ve been out and about to remind each other that the dancing, drinking, movies and parties, it’s all a part of being human. We need these things to recharge that mysterious battery we call a soul.
Tonight’s cocktail has been my refresher, my personal battery charger on this wet evening. The Gin-Campari Old Fashioned was a drink I didn’t know about, until I had one in my hand. Prepping for this piece, I pulled out my favorite gin, the Campari I always keep on hand—due to my love of a good Negroni—and the sugar and bitters every decent Old Fashioned requires.
Those wet little jewels of water pitter and pattered on the window in the living room, as I sat and sipped. That satisfying bite from the bittersweet, red liqueur, enhanced by the strength of the gin, hit in a different way with the sugar and bitters, as opposed to a sweet vermouth. Simpler, and more complex than I expected. Different, and yet wholly familiar all at once.
As I finished my drink, I immediately set about to treat myself by making another. It is a rainy day, after all.
What Is The Best Gin To Use In A Gin-Campari Old Fashioned?
In my experience, I’ve found a crisp and balanced London Dry gin, such as a No.3 or Tanqueray, melds best with the bitter, sweet and complex notes found in the Italian liqueur, Campari. Bombay Sapphire is pretty strong in its juniper infusion, and I find that tends to clash just a little with the Campari for my taste. A regular bottle of Bombay or Beefeater is a great choice too, neither overpowering or disappearing amongst the other ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 barspoon Campari
- 1 barspoon simple syrup
- 2 dashes bitters
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine the gin, Campari, simple syrup, and bitters.
- Add ice to the mixing glass and stir until the mixture is well chilled.
- Place a large ice cube in an Old Fashioned glass. Strain the chilled mixture into the glass. Twist a lemon peel over the drink to express the oils, then drop it into the glass as a garnish.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?
Fill an Old Fashioned glass with ice or cocktail cubes and garnish with a lemon peel, expressing its oils over the drink. You can also go with an orange peel to keep with the tradition of a classic Old Fashioned or Negroni.
WHO CREATED THIS DELICIOUS COCKTAIL?
Dave Kwiatkowski is credited with inventing this version of the classic drink at Detroit’s Sugar House.
Gin-Campari Old Fashioned Variations
Tonight’s recipe was only one example of the different takes on the Old Fashioned that are out there, with many just as popular as the original. If you’re looking for something that’s slightly off the beaten path, while retaining a familiar profile, check these concoctions out, then explore Twist & Toast for even more cocktail ideas.
- Rum Old Fashioned – Bring some tropical vibes to your next Old Fashioned.
- Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned – When summer turns to autumn, this cocktail helps keep you warm.
- Tequila Old Fashioned – This sipper brings a little peppery spice to the party.
- Brandy Old Fashioned – A Wisconsin favorite could very well be yours, too.
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