The Italian Conquistador

1 1⁄2 oz Rum, El Dorado 12
1⁄2 oz Gran Classico
1⁄2 oz Cynar
1⁄4 oz Falernum, Velvet Falernum
1 twst Orange peel
Instructions

Stir. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

History

A bartender at Outerlands made this creation up on the fly. No name, so I dubbed it the Italian Conquistador to reference the Italian amari and traditional Caribbean ingredients.

Cocktail summary
Posted by rhum.x on
Created by
Outerlands, San Francisco, CA
Year
2014
Is of
unknown authenticity
Curator
Not yet rated
Average
4.5 stars
(35 ratings)
YieldsDrink
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From other users
  • Subbed: - Diplomatica Reserva for El Dorado - Campari for Gran Clasico Rum Manhattan. Well-balanced, lasting bitterness. — ★★★★★
  • Sweet yet still complex and oh so incredibly delicious
  • Smooth, bourbon-y, deep drink - a bit on the sweet side - Might try Cynar 70 and/or sub GC with a more bitter and complex Amaro.
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Comments

Absolutely delicious with Appleton 12 and home-made falernum.

<br />Two Things:
First, the drink. Ahhhhhh! The drink! Es muy bien! Mine, I suspect, was a little smoother and richer than it would have been had I used the ingredients as specified. Unfortunately (perhaps), I didn't have El Dorado 12 rum. The only El Dorado rum I had was El Dorado 15, which is a special reserve aged for 15 years. I could have used another rum, but El Dorado is a demera rum, quite different from non-demera rums. But that's another story. Also, the El Dorado 15 rum probably gave me a richer, sweeter, and smoother tasting drink than if I used the El Dorado 12 rum. Regardless, "The Italian Conquistador" is one of those truly unforgettable cocktails, especially after a great dinner.

Second, the name: I think it should be "The Conquistador," not "The Italian Conquistador." Why? Well, of all of its ingredients, only the Cynar comes from Italy. Gran Classico is from Switzerland, the Falernum is from Barbados, the El Dorado is from Guyana, and even my orange is a product of Mexico. That's why I suggest naming it simply "The Conquistador." Now, if the name is not changed, will the sky fall down, will the Earth stop spinning, will life as we know it come to an end? No. I'm simply expressing an opinion, which I know will not change things. And that is just fine with me because "The Italian Conquistador" is one helluva fine drink, which I rated at 4.5.