Dappered

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The perfect pace yourself drink

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Avoiding Drunkenness –  Campari on the rocks

Above Photo Credit: michaelwhays

A lot of us are unintentional fast drinkers.  We get to the bottom of a beer, look over at our date, and they’re only halfway through theirs.  That can cause some trouble if you’re doing a dinner out with drinks to follow.  They add up, and by the end of the night you might be two or three ahead and feeling it way more than you ever wanted.

So you’ve got to pace yourself.  And Campari on the Rocks is a good option for doing that.

Make no mistake, Campari is NOT alcohol free.  It’s an Italian made aperitif that runs 20 – 28% ABV.  But when served on the rocks like a good rum or gin, it’s only packing half the kick.  You’ll also drink Campari slower, and here’s why:

It has a bizarre, complex flavor.  It starts off sweet, but then gets real bitter, real fast.  So bitter that describing the finish as “planty” wouldn’t be inaccurate.  It’s a sipping drink with a flavor that lingers awhile.    Combine that with the relatively low alcohol level served in a short glass with ice, and you get the pace car of the booze world.

Can’t handle a super bitter drink?  Get an Americano.  It uses Campari but it’s sweetened up.  And if you’re in a bar and ask for a Campari on the Rocks, specify no fruit if you don’t want the orange in your glass. Consider a twist instead for the aroma, and go with a shorter glass than this one:
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Comments

  2. Campari and the various cocktails made with it–the American and Negroni, for example–are best seen as summer drinks. Now is decidedly NOT their season. The Americano is, notably, the first drink ordered by James Bond in Ian Fleming’s series, Casino Royale. Bond orders an Americano as the most fitting drink for a mere café; arguing “in cafés you have to drink the least offensive of the musical comedy drinks that go with them.” So, listen to Bond and wait until summer to drink Campari. Unless, of course, you are wintering someplace tropical.

  5. Be still my heart! Campari in the winter-time? THE HORROR. (Kidding.) With all due respect, call me a rebel, but I thought it was earthy and spicy enough for this time of year when just on the rocks. If 007 wants to look down his nose at me for using it as a pacer year round? That’s a-okay with me. Guess I don’t feel limited by the seasons when it comes to aperitifs.

  7. I take my campari with soda and it’s good. It dillutes the drink and makes it easier to pace with. Unless you are like me and love it, and it then goes down fast. Drinking it on the rocks is better than neat. Concentated for full effect, like the neat, but chilled making it a bit more palatable. Drinking on the ice will make for a slower drinking time.

    Yes, generally a summer drink, but then we CAN make our own rules. Or bend them at least. I find it’s a great drink anytime. Besides as a pre dinner drink, it makes dinner TASTE better and dinner is every day of the year, summer time or no.

  8. I’m a fan of the Negroni, but mainly when it’s hot out and I don’t feel like drinking beer or bourbon.

  9. Dinner IS every day of the year! “Live life in the slow lane” shall be our new motto!

  10. I also recommend Aperol. It is an Italian aperitif that tastes similar to Campari but even less alcohol. It is also really good mixed with lemon-lime soda or club soda (depending upon your preference).

  11. Planty, yes 😉 I had it a few times in shot form and it reminded me of an old ladies’ bad perfume.. probably better on the rocks.

  12. this was a very interesting tip/advice, and i enjoyed the article very much. I almost went out to buy a bottle… but decided to try it first at a bar. and WOW… it is horrendous. LOL. for my tastes, i found it very bitter and disgusting. it was a little more bareable when i asked the bartender to splash some soda in. but actually didn’t even finish the drink.

    important tip: TRY THIS DRINK BEFORE YOU BUY A BOTTLE!!!

  13. Here’s a similar style drink with a not so heavy ‘flowery’ after taste, Aperol. I take it in a highball with ice and seltzer water. Great for a bbq or daytime wedding.