A second Campari Tonic is the new summer drink of 2017. Why? Any second drink is always the best. Campari is a tart, herby drink, if you are looking for something a little sweeter, you will fall in love with our Rhubarb Mojito.
Here’s my experience with this unusual drink: I had my first Campari Tonic in a boat on a Minnesota Lake. I was given this drink in a tall thin glass with the warning “The first taste is kind of gross, but by the end of the glass, you will want another. This drink grows on you.” That was surely true. I’ve made a Campari Tonic over and over this summer and all my friends I introduce it to have loved their second one (and the end of their first).
What is Campari?
Campari is an Italian liqueur with a mix of alcohol and water infused with herbs. Many people use it as an aperitif. Some describe it as a spicy sweet but I found it to be mildly spicy with a floral, herby taste. Once you get past the first bitter sip, you will find Campari to be very refreshing. There is no sugar so it is a very light and feels thinning while you drink it. It’s a perfect drink for splashing in the water in your swimsuit. For more about Campari, visit their website.
Making a Campari Tonic
Part of the reason this is such a good drink is because you can pull some fresh herbs out of your garden to give this drink a splash of color and bring out some of the infused flavors with some fresh rosemary.
Ingredients
- Fresh-from-the-garden Rosemary
- Fresh Orange
- Campari
- Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water. Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uOAa7f
Equipment
Tumbler Glasses. This is a very pretty drink with great color. You should show it off with a nice set of glasses. If you need new ones, have them shipped right to your house with Amazon.
Instructions
The first thing to do is to call your friends and tell them they need to come over. Or, if you have a friend on a lake, get the ingredients together and go to their house.
When everyone is ready, fill glasses with ice, and set up a small drink station where everyone can make their own because they will want a second and you don’t want to be sitting making drinks all day.
Pour a third glass full of Campari over the ice. Then top off the glass with the Elderflower Tonic Water. This tonic has a wonderful floral herby taste that will help bring out the great flavors of the Campari. Reserve half an inch of headspace for the garnishments.
Cut a wedge of orange and squeeze the juice on top of your drink and stir it with a sprig of rosemary to develop a sweet, slightly bitter, and very fresh tasting summer drink. A printable recipe is below.
A fresh summer drink that is perfect for hitting the lake in your swimsuit.
2 minPrep Time
1 minCook Time
3 minTotal Time
Yields 1 drink
Ingredients
- Fresh-from-the-garden Rosemary
- Fresh Orange
- Campari
- Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water.
Instructions
- Fill glasses with ice, and set up a small drink station where everyone can make their own.
- Pour a third glass full of Campari over the ice.
- Then top off the glass with the Elderflower Tonic Water.
- Cut a wedge of orange and squeeze the juice on top of your drink and stir it with a sprig of rosemary.
Other Drinks to Try
- Apple Cider Mimosa
- Home Made Irish Cream Liquor
- Sumac Old Fashioned
- Rhubarb Mojito
- Blackberry Lemon Shrub Cocktail
- Cold Brewed Coffee Beer