Colonel Carpano

1 1⁄2 oz Cynar
1 1⁄2 oz Bourbon, Buffalo Trace
3⁄4 oz Sweet vermouth, Carpano Antica Formula
2 ds Peychaud's Bitters
1 twst Orange peel
Instructions

Combine in a mixing glass then add large ice cubes. Stir then strain over large ice. Garnish with an orange peel expressed and inserted.

Notes

A very long flavor ride from sweet to spicy to bitter and back.

Cocktail summary
Created by
Kyle Davidson, The Violet Hour, Chicago
Year
2008
Is of
unknown authenticity
Curator
4 stars
Average
4 stars
(68 ratings)
YieldsDrink
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From other users
  • Strong 4. Great Cynar drink. Deep, smooth cola-like flavor a lot of the way through w/a little black licorice. Pretty intense. A little syrupy-sweet for me. Maybe try Rye next time. — ★★★★
  • Used Vermut Lacuesta instead of Carpano, but a nice cocktail. — ★★★★
  • Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon; increased bourbon to 2 oz, added 1/2 dash of Angostura (per drink); nice Manhattan riff! — ★★★★
  • Maybe tone down the Bourbon a bit — ★★★★
  • Not bitter enough for me, a little too strong and sweet. — ★★★
  • soft and sweet. very drinkable — ★★★★
  • Made with Bullitt and Ramazotti-pretty good-needs the orange peel — ★★★★
  • loved this drink, lots of flavors and complexity makes a wonderful cocktail — ★★★★★
  • Made with Cynar 70. As one does. An excellent alternative to a Manhattan. — ★★★★
  • Good bourbon/cynar rich/warm slightly bitter drink. Used Bitter Truth Creole Bitters + Peychaud's — ★★★★
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Comments
Dan commented on 12/15/2010:

I made it with Knob Creek. The Carpano Antica was readily apparent. Not overly sweet. A Manhattan for the adventurous. Beautiful lingering bitter tones in the finish.

Had the guys at Anvil make this for me, subbing Rittenhouse 100 for Bourbon and Zucca Amaro (rhubarb based) for Cynar... It was all bitter chocolate and wintry spice and enough citrus for balance. Really really good, and makes me want a bottle of Cynar ;)

Dan commented on 12/28/2010:

Ooh, ooh, just got a bottle of Zucca. Good stuff. I've added it as an ingredient in Kindred Cocktails. And, yes, you do want a bottle of Cynar.

This drink grew on me. I did need more Carpano Antica- I ended up closer to 1:1:1. I used Black Maple Hill Bourbon.

Dan commented on 11/19/2011:

Curated to spell out Colonel in the title to make it easier to find. Old URL's to cocktail/col-carpano will still work.

ifjuly commented on 1/10/2012:

Seconded. This is the best cocktail of the ones I've tried on this site so far, a lovely mix of two things I love (Cynar and Manhattans!). A new favorite.

jaba commented on 12/24/2013:

Easily my new favorite drink.

Definitely a good one for slowly sipping and appreciating. Maybe a touch on the sweet side for my palette, so may have to adjust the Cynar and Antica formula down a touch. Flavor combination is brilliant and lends itself well to experimentation with bitters and garnish.

jaba commented on 5/05/2014:

Anyone have any thoughts on how this might be with Punt e Mes instead of Carpano Antica?

jaba commented on 5/06/2014:

Yeah, I don't know why I had to ask. It was awesome with Punt e Mes. Less "chocolatey" than the original, but still outstanding.