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Cocktail History
The Old Pal is a classic cocktail that was created by bartender Harry MacElhone in the early 1900s at his bar Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France. It’s one of two popular variations of the Negroni that call for equal-parts spirit, vermouth, Campari, and citrus. This version swaps out the gin for an aged whiskey and sweet vermouth for dry, and it’s believed to have been named for William Harrison “Sparrow” Robertson, a writer at the Herald Tribune who used to call everyone he met “old pal.”
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Rye: This is a type of whiskey made with at least 51% rye grain, malted barley, corn, and water. We used Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey because it has a nice spiced flavor with notes of vanilla, pepper, and herbs. For a mocktail version of this drink, try The Gospel Responsible Rye Non-Alcoholic Whiskey in place of the whiskey.
Dry Vermouth: This is a fortified wine made with grapes, sugar, botanicals, herbs, sugar, and alcohol. We used Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry because it has a light and airy flavor profile with notes of Alpine herbs. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Apéritif Dry in place of the dry vermouth.
Campari: This is a liqueur made in Italy with gentian root, rhubarb, citrus, herbs, aromatic plants, fruit, and alcohol. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Giffard Non-Alcoholic Bitter Syrup in place of the bitter liqueur.
Orange Twist: This is the peel of an orange that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Ice Mold: This is used to make a clear ice cube. We used the BERLINZO Premium Clear Ice Cube Maker Mold.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. We used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Tasting Notes
The Old Pal features aromas of whiskey and Campari, tastes of whiskey balanced by the vermouth at first, and ends with the bitter aftertaste of the Campari.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: This is an incredibly dry and equally as bitter cocktail that landed it at the bottom of the Negroni variations Alex usually enjoys; he liked the Old Pal but not more than the Negroni or Boulevardier. And Kendall couldn’t handle more than a sip. Maybe someday she’ll be able to take the bitterness of Campari.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante.
Add rye, vermouth, Campari, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over a clear ice ball.
Garnish with orange twist.
Ingredients
Directions
Add rye, vermouth, Campari, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a lowball glass over a clear ice ball.
Garnish with orange twist.
Make It a Mocktail: Use The Gospel Responsible Rye Non-Alcoholic Whiskey in place of the whiskey, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Apéritif Dry in place of the dry vermouth, and Giffard Non-Alcoholic Bitter Syrup in place of the bitter liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Campari Cocktails
If you like this Campari cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Desert Bird: A tequila and mezcal cocktail made with pineapple gum syrup, Campari, lime juice, saline solution, and a lime wheel
Bicicletta: A white wine cocktail made with Campari, soda water, and a lemon wheel
Rhubarb & Gingerbread Negroni: A gin cocktail made with Campari, sweet vermouth, gingerbread syrup, and an orange peel
Garibaldi: A Campari cocktail made with orange juice and an orange slice
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