Cardamaro Cocktail Recipe

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Cardamaro Nutrition Facts

Calories:200

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:15g

Alcohol:25%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: January 7, 2024

History

The Cardamaro cocktail is a modern twist on the classic Negroni, substituting Cardamaro, a wine-based amaro, for the traditional Campari. This gives the cocktail a sweeter, less bitter taste. It's a favorite among those who enjoy a more nuanced, complex cocktail experience.

How Cardamaro Tastes?

The Cardamaro cocktail is a balanced mix of sweet, bitter, and herbal flavors. The Cardamaro lends a rich, wine-like sweetness, while the gin adds a botanical complexity. The vermouth rounds out the cocktail with a hint of bitterness.

Interesting facts about Cardamaro

  • The Cardamaro cocktail is named after the Cardamaro amaro, which is made from cardoon, a relative of the artichoke.
  • Despite its sweetness, the Cardamaro cocktail is quite strong, with a high alcohol content.
  • The Cardamaro cocktail is often garnished with an orange twist, which adds a bright, citrusy note to the drink.

Ingredients

A few good options for Cardamaro are:

  • Brockmans
  • Silent Pool Gin
  • Hendrick's Gin

Learn everything on which Gin to choose

Cardamaro

Cardamaro is a wine-based amaro flavored with cardoon, similar to artichoke, lending a distinct herbal and bittersweet profile. It's the star in our cocktail cosmos, and the 2 oz serving ensures its prominence. Less Cardamaro, and you're demoting the leading actor. No Cardamaro? You've got a different script entirely.

Alex Green

Gin

The strong and juniper-laden gin (1 oz) acts like the best supporting actor, adding a fresh botanical zing. Its amount strikes a balance between being overpowering and merely a whisper. Choose a less juniper-forward gin, and you'll have a softer botanical touch.

Emma Rose

Sweet Vermouth

Sweet vermouth (1 oz), the diplomatic mediator, introduces sweet, herby, and spiced notes. It ties the bittersweet and the botanicals with a velvety ribbon. If omitted, you lose that harmonious interplay. For a dryer twist, swap for dry vermouth and shake things up a bit.

Mary Mitkina

Orange Twist

Lastly, the orange twist — it's not just for show! Its essential oils spritz a sun-kissed sweetness that can brighten the deepest of flavors. Miss out, and you deny your senses a full experience.

Alex Green

Recipe. How to make Cardamaro Drink

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Add 2 oz of Cardamaro, 1 oz of gin, and 1 oz of sweet vermouth.
  3. Stir well until the mixture is well-chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  5. Garnish with an orange twist.

Pro Tips

  • Use a high-quality gin for the best flavor.
  • Make sure to chill your cocktail glass before serving for the best experience.

Perfect Pairings

Appetizers

  • Olives & Salted Nuts: The botanicals in the gin and herbal notes from Cardamaro complement salty and briny flavors.
  • Charcuterie Boards: The savory cured meats and mixed cheeses balance the sweetness of the vermouth and the bittersweet Cardamaro.
  • Dark Chocolate: The slight bitterness of dark chocolate matches the deep, complex notes in the cocktail.

Main Courses

  • Roasted Duck: Its richness pairs well with the warming herbal quality of the cocktail.
  • Grilled Vegetables: Smoky and earthy flavors will resonate with the botanicals in the drink.

Desserts

  • Tiramisu: The mascarpone's creaminess and the coffee's bitterness align with the sweet and aromatic profile of the cocktail.

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What you could change in Cardamaro

  • If you don't have Cardamaro, you can substitute it with another wine-based amaro.
  • If you prefer a less sweet cocktail, you can use dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth.

Explore all drinks starting with C here

And of course - twists🍹

Honey Cardamaro Fizz

Swap the sweet vermouth for honey syrup (1/2 oz) and add a splash of soda water. You'll create a lighter, effervescent drink that hums with a subtle sweetness, perfect for a summer's eve. Ingredients: Cardamaro, Gin, Honey Syrup, Soda Water Recipe: Follow the original recipe, substituting honey syrup for sweet vermouth and top with soda.

Spiced Cardamaro Negroni

Let's invite Campari (1 oz) to the mix, replacing the sweet vermouth. The result is a zesty, slightly more bitter cousin with a warm spice undertone—ideal for those who appreciate a good plot twist. Ingredients: Cardamaro, Gin, Campari Recipe: Follow the original but swap vermouth for Campari. Stir, strain, and serve with an orange twist.

Cardamaro Martini

For a drier profile, let vermouth sit this dance out and double the gin. Add a dash of orange bitters to highlight the orange twist's citrus notes. Ingredients: Cardamaro, Gin, Orange Bitters Recipe: Pour 2 oz Cardamaro, 2 oz gin, and a dash of orange bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain and garnish with an orange twist.

In case you forgot basics how to make Cardamaro

Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.

Learn everything on how to strain

Insert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.

Learn everything on how to stir

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Cardamaro

What type of gin works best with the Cardamaro cocktail?

While the choice of gin can depend on personal preference, a classic London dry gin is often used in this cocktail due to its subtle, smooth, and balanced flavor.

Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for gin in this cocktail?

While you can't mimic the exact flavor of gin without alcohol, there are some non-alcoholic spirits available in the market that can provide a hint of the botanical flavors found in gin.

What's the ideal temperature to serve the Cardamaro cocktail?

The Cardamaro cocktail is ideally served chilled, to bring out the balanced flavors of the ingredients.

Are there any specific occasions where the Cardamaro cocktail is traditionally served?

As a complex and nuanced cocktail, the Cardamaro is often enjoyed as a before-dinner drink, known as an aperitif.

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