Old Pal

From the family of Campari cocktails comes the OLD PAL. While the Boulevardier shifts the Negroni from gin to bourbon, the Old Pal becomes a drier and less sweet version of the Boulevardier by shifting to rye and dry vermouth. The first sip of an Old Pal is nicely balanced, the aftertaste slightly drier to the tongue. It’s lighter and decidedly less rich than the Boulevardier.

Requirements: rye whiskey, Campari, dry vermouth, lemon peel

• 1 oz. rye
• 1 oz. Campari
• 1 oz. dry vermouth
• 1 lemon (or orange) peel

Add ingredients to a half-filled mixing glass and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon (or orange) peel.

History: The drink first appeared in bartender/author Harry MacElone’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails, 1922. It’s credited as well to the same Harry of Harry’s NY Bar in Paris, who in turn credited William “Sparrow” Roberts for the mix, the NY Herald sports editor in Paris at the time who frequented the bar.

Comments: This is an easy-preparation cocktail and easy to remember with its three equal parts rye, Campari, dry vermouth. Some prefer to double the rye (2 oz. to 1 oz. to 1 oz.) for a boozier whiskey experience which in turn tones down the bitter/sweet of Campari. The classic and more common version though is as listed above. Another option to keep it cold, is to serve in an Old-Fashioned glass with one large ice cube and the twist of lemon.

Similar Cocktails:

Boulevardier — https://keetscocktails.com/boulevardier-2/

Negroni — https://keetscocktails.com/negroni-2/

Americano — https://keetscocktails.com/americano/

Siesta — https://keetscocktails.com/siesta/

Genoa Vodka — https://keetscocktails.com/genoa-vodka-2/