Meet the Old Buddy Cocktail
There is not a single member of the Negroni family that I dislike. The combination of alcohol, bitter and vermouth in (roughly) equal parts never fails to create a balanced drink that is perfect for an exquisite sip from the compartment. Plus, it’ll get you drunk pretty quickly.
Old Pal is similar to Boulevardier, except that the whiskey is rye and the vermouth is dry. I think now that I have had a couple, I prefer this. (I think you can make a Boulevardier with rye, I think I ate them mostly with bourbon, but I wandered for a long time, so who knows if my memories can be trusted?)
Anyway. I like it when I don’t care in a classic gin-based Negroni, but I prefer the heavier spirits when it comes to variations. You can try both and see how you feel. To make this gorgeous sausage you will need:
- 1 1/2 ounce rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz Campari
- 3/4 ounce dry vermouth
Pour everything into a stirring glass filled with ice and stir to cool. Pour into a glass compartment and garnish with citrus zest. If you don’t feel like stirring, you can pour everything onto a large cube right in the glass, allowing the drink to soften – or “develop” – as you drink it. Anything that makes you feel good.