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
  • Delicious!! I used perucchi sweet vermouth.
  • I find this a tad too bitter...but it tastes better as the ice melts!
  • 12/27/16: Really, really good. I prefer this to a manhattan.
  • Bitter
  • As suggested by someone here, tried it with Ramazzotti and like it. Next time I'll bump the bourbon up in the mix (just a tad sweeter than I like it). I'll also try it with Rye.
  • As was said, good Manhattan alternative.
  • Didn't have orange, but that would add a nice element. Used punt e mes, delicious.
  • Excellent Manhattan sub. Cynar adds welcome bitter undertones. A real Friday unwinding drink.
  • Excellent and will try upping the Antica next time
  • Absolutely delicious. The small amount of CAF is apparent. Nice lingering bitter. Made with Knob Creek. — ★★★★★
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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.