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
(77 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

Works pretty well with other variations of amaro and bitters. I like Ramazotti instead of Cynar here, for example.


The "Colonel Carpano" is one of these easy to imbibe drinks. Bourbon and Cynar is a common mix; more often than not, however, the recipe will call for a bourbon with more overtones than Buffalo Trace. But that, I think, is the strength of the "Colonel Carpano," Using Buffalo Trace instead of, say, Jim Beam Black, results in a democratic drink--that is to say, a drink in which no one ingredient overwhelms the other. I used the ingredients as called for, except I used 3 dashes of The Bitter Truth's Aromatic Bitters, instead of 2 dashes of Peychaud's bitters, with good result.

Overall, the "Colonel Carpano" is an enjoyable drink, which goes down easily despite its slight bitterness via Cynar. Most drinkers who do not like the much more bitter Negroni, will find the Colonel Carpano to be a favorite. This drink also lends itself to different options; (e.g., a stronger bourbon, perhaps a rye, using a different bitter, and using a different vermouth such as punt e mes.) I rated this drink at 4.5.


The "Colonel Carpano" is one of these easy to imbibe drinks. Bourbon and Cynar is a common mix; more often than not, however, the recipe will call for a bourbon with more overtones than Buffalo Trace. But that, I think, is the strength of the "Colonel Carpano," Using Buffalo Trace instead of, say, Jim Beam Black, results in a democratic drink--that is to say, a drink in which no one ingredient overwhelms the other. I used the ingredients as called for, except I used 3 dashes of The Bitter Truth's Aromatic Bitters, instead of Peychaud's bitters, a with good result. Overall, the "Colonel Carpano" is an enjoyable drink, which goes down easily despite its slight bitterness via Cynar. Most drinkers who do not like the much more bitter Negroni, will find the Colonel Carpano to be a favorite. This drink also lends itself to different options; (e.g., a stronger bourbon, perhaps a rye, using a different bitter, and using a different vermouth such as punt e mes.) I rated this drink at 4.5.