El Nacional

1 oz Mezcal
1 oz Campari
1⁄2 oz Ramazzotti
1⁄2 oz Dry vermouth
3 ds Chocolate bitters
3 dr Islay Scotch
1 twst Lemon peel
Instructions

Stir, strain, garnish with Islay drops and twist.

Notes

Mole bitters work great. Laphroaig is original Islay, I used Ardbeg.

Cocktail summary
Posted by bza on
Created by
Casey Robison, Barrio, Seattle
Year
2010
Is an
authentic recipe
Reference

Imbibe Jan/Feb 2011, p.37

Curator
4 stars
Average
4 stars
(29 ratings)
YieldsDrink
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From other users
  • This is an excellent drink. I just got my first bottle of Ramazotti and was looking for a cocktail to try. I really like the layers of taste with a muted Campari bitter finish. I used Crude Coffee and Chocolate bitters. Yum!
  • Extremely well-balanced drink with nothing feeling out of place or overly assertive. — ★★★★
  • Found accidentally during unrelated search--sounds up my alley.
  • Plenty going on, chocolate, bitter, smoky. A winter cornucopia.
  • Nice use of Ramazotti to compliment the chocolate bitters. Does work best with Aztec Chocolate as the heat kicks it up a notch.
  • Scale back the chocolate bitters a bit.
  • For sophisticated palates (smoke- and bitter-tolerant), this is a lovely drink with a nice finish.
  • Smoky but not overwhelming. Complex, viscous texture. An excellent way to return from a Cozumel vacation.
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  • Harajuku — Japanese Whisky, Byrrh, Gran Classico, Chocolate bitters, Orange peel
  • Chinato e smoky — Islay Scotch, Chinato, Ramazzotti, Bitters, Peychaud's Bitters
Comments

Nice use of Ramazotti to compliment the chocolate. Works well with Fee Bros. Aztec Chocolate as the heat kicks it up a notch.

This is quite possibly my favorite modern cocktail creation. It has so many perfectly complementary flavors. It's like a great book or movie where every time I experience it, I can pick out something new that I enjoy.

@eSports Chaebol 

I randomly ran across this comment tonight and am so touched! I made this drink up years ago, but it's still one of my favorites. I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Try supplementing the ramazotti with Luxardo Amaro Abano, it changes the drink in crazy ways, for the better, I think. Cheers!

I didn't think this drink could be improved upon. But I just subbed coffee-infused Campari for the uninflected amaro, and - well, I'd rate it 6 stars, now!