Campari is truly the drink of the gods

[Lethe]

I have recently discovered the ikhor of the gods that is Campari.

How sweet, how bitter, how sanguine is thy complexion? Oh heady days of crimson glory's gate! Alas, I digress....

The Negroni is now my favorite cocktail. Why the hell would someone drink a Martini when they have Campari lying around? It's the perfect strong cocktail. (basically a Martini with Campari added)

The Americano is delicious as well as refreshing, but actually is more bitter tasting than the Negroni. In the Negroni, the first thing you taste is the piney hint of juniper and the bite of the gin, which is immediately mellowed by the bittersweetness of the Campari and Vermouth. And also the gin mellows the bitterness of the Campari. Use a top shelf gin.

A great thing to do is order a Negroni, and then when it arrives tell your friend that it is a variant of the Cosmo (it looks like one) and to take a sip. Watch their eyes twitch and their lip curl from the bitterness. Hah!

edit: it may or may not be vegan though depending on where you buy it...the redness was originally from cochineal insect, which was in the original recipe.

[Heidi]

1. My mother-in-law _loves_ Campari plain with no alcohol.

I just can't take the bitterness. :blech:

[Lethe]

2. the first sip is really bitter

but after a few it kind of settles in your mouth and takes over, and the bitterness recedes unless you eat something or have another drink.

[Lethe]

3. your crimson stained lips deny your appetite for the sanguine

just have a taste.....you know you want it....just give in to the pleasure....