Tag: Campari

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Lost Recipe: Camparinara

This historical punch recipe was recently discovered and amplified by Derek on his Make and Drink channel on YouTube. It is Campari-forward, with other ingredients familiar to tropical and exotic cocktail fans.

In Derek’s video he published two single cocktail versions of the Camparinara and I chose the one that’s more rum forward. It originally calls for ginger and clove and so I used Falernum in place of the Ginger Syrup that Derek used. And rather than using Allspice Dram I used “Don’s Spices no. 2” which is equal parts Allspice dram and Vanilla Syrup.

It’s a really interesting and very flavorful cocktail that I’d like to see commercial tiki bars adopt. Cheers to Derek for finding this lost treasure.

Camparinara – Rummy Version on Ice
1 oz Lemon juice
2 tsp Falernum
2 tsp Cinnamon syrup
2 tsp Don’s Spices no. 2
1 oz Campari
2 oz Rum (Mount Gay XO)
Shake with ice and strain over a large ice cube. Garnish with ground nutmeg.

Watch the video on YouTube

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Rum Negroni Halloween Special

Had a good Rum Negroni with skull ice cubes in a Tiki Goth Club glass. Not too bad to celebrate Halloween but also laying low because you have a busy weekend ahead.

I used the new Planteray Mister Fogg Mavy Rum Sail n°2. I hypothesized that this rum wouldn’t be great in cocktails and even with cutting the Campari way back the rum doesn’t really push through. Stick to Jamaican rum next time. Sail n°2 is better as a nice sipping rum.

Rum Negroni
1½ oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari
1½ oz Planteray Mister Fogg Mavy Rum Sail n°2
Stir with ice and strain over large cubes

Happy Halloween

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Kingston Negroni with Rare Cane Jamaica Pot Still Rum

More praise for Rare Cane Jamaica Pot Still rum which works great in a Kingston Negroni. The bold and funky Overproof rum works as a great balance to the bitter Campari and Sweet Vermouth.

As previously shared, while this cocktail is supposed to be an equal parts of all three ingredients, I do like to go a little easy on the Campari and a little heavy on the rum.

Kingston Negroni
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari (easy pour)
1 oz Jamaica Rum (heavy pour)
Stir with ice and pour over large cube. Express orange peel.

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Kingston Negroni Redux

Been playing with some different Jamaican rums in a Kingston Negroni. The original version from New York bartender Joaquín Simó called or Smith & Cross, but I’ve been trying some other higher proof expressions including Hampden’s Overproof and a cask strength Worthy Park bottle, both to great effect.

Being an equal parts cocktail it is easy to make a larger version, which is what I did here. I didn’t have an orange peel to express but the result was still fab.

Kingston Negroni
1 part Campari
1 part Sweet Vermouth
1 part Jamaican rum
Stir with ice. Strain over large cube.

I’m finding that for me that going a little light on the Campari and a little heavier on the rum is the sweet spot for my flavor profile.

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Ultimate Kingston Negroni

After years of having Campari in cocktails I’m finally getting accustomed this this bitter Italian liqueur, so much so that I actually like the taste of a classic Negroni cocktail and am really digging the riff that replaces gin with Jamaican rum.

New York bartender Joaquín Simó first made this cocktail in 2010, using the potent overproof Smith & Cross Jamaica rum as the featured spirit. I sure do love Smith & Cross but thought I’d try to create the Ultimate Kingston Negroni.

First I tried Planteray’s Xaymaca, a 100% pot still Jamaica rum issued at 43% ABV. This has more of the classic Jamaica rum flavor than something like Appleton and indeed it made a very nice Kingston Negroni.

Next I tried the Ultimate Mai Tai Rum Blend, an equal portion ratio of Appleton 12, Smith & Cross, Xaymaca, and Planteray OFTD that clocks in at 50% ABV. We love this in a Mai Tai, but it didn’t work amazingly in the Negroni to pair with the bitter Campari.

The best Kingston Negroni I could make? Well, that had Smith & Cross as the rum. Who’d have thunk it? I let Mrs. Mai Tai try this and she said “there is something funky in there.” She used the perfect word without even knowing that this is what folks use to refer to the classic overripe fruit taste of Jamaica rum. This one was by far the best Kingston Negroni.

Kingston Negroni
1 oz Campari
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Smith & Cross Jamaica rum
Stir with ice. Strain over large cubes and express an orange peel.

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Kingston Negroni at The Formosa

Landed in LA and met friends at The Formosa Cafe for some great food and cocktails. We love this place including all the eye candy and historical decorative elements.

I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of the Negroni cocktail, but it is Negroni Week so I met it halfway with a Kingston Negroni that subs Jamaica Rum for the Gin. It works pretty well with Vermouth and Campari.