2 oz Gin
1⁄2 oz Cynar
3⁄4 oz Lemon juice
1⁄2 oz Simple syrup
6 lf Mint
1 spg Mint (as garnish)
Instructions

Shake, double strain, crushed ice, low-ball garnish

Notes

Surprisingly, the overall impression is bitter grapefruit. Lovely.

Cocktail summary
Posted by Dan on
Created by
Vincenzo Marianella, Copa d’Oro, Santa Monica, CA
Year
2009
Is of
unknown authenticity
Curator
Not yet rated
Average
4 stars
(38 ratings)
YieldsDrink
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From other users
  • Top drink. Crushed ice helps. Second sip is where it's at. I was thinking 3/4 cynar would help this, then saw it in the comments. Do it next time. There is a little bit of a grapefruit taste, but better—more complex.
  • One of my favorite summer drinks.
  • 1/4/20: Great drink, made with 2 tsp 2:1 simple. Will definitely make this in the summer.
  • Earlier comments nail it: bitter grapefruit, interesting yet accessible. — ★★★★★
  • A daiquiri substitute, and extraordinarily so. Refreshingly tart, but not puckeringly so. Very versatile: I can see having two of these at the Club in the evening, or by the backyard pool in mid-afternoon on a Saturday. Has
  • Light and surprising accessible. Good drink for those new to gin and/or amari. — ★★★★★
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Comments
Dan commented on 1/30/2012:

I have to say that this is a wonderful cocktail. It is plenty interesting, even for the jaded Fernet-chugging cocktail geek. Yet it's fairly accessible for those just getting starting to explore amaro-based cocktails. I bumped up the Cynar to 3/4oz and backed the simple down to 3/8oz, which was a nice balance for my taste. Where the bitter grapefruit flavor comes from, I do not know.


I used 3/4 oz cynar as that finished the bottle, and I was also generous with the mint. A little less simple and citrus next time, and I'll keep the extra cynar. I'm revisiting recipes I saved years ago and deleting anything I don't love from my cocktail library; this one stays.