Campari + Watermelon = One Red Cocktail
When Chris told me he was going to put watermelon shrub, gin and campari in a glass together … well, I was skeptical. (Note: This happens a lot. Annoyingly, he’s almost always right!) Of course, the color was a perfect match for Campari and the watermelon shrub, but I just wasn’t confident they’d play nicely with such a stark contrast – the herbal bitterness of the Campari up against the sweet tang of a shrub.
Foiled again.
I think you know where this one is going. Once again, Chris was absolutely right.
This cocktail was delicious, and everything played together beautifully. It was a bit interesting though – the light saltiness of the shrub seemed to offset the bitterness of the Campari, allowing its own “fruitiness” to come through a bit more. Adding that to the round, fresh flavor of the watermelon and the herbal notes from the gin … well. Let’s just say this won’t be the last time you find this cocktail in my hand.
Here’s to experimentation!
Americano Summer
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz London Dry Gin
- 1 1/2 oz Salted Watermelon Shrub
- 1 Barspoon Agave Nectar
- 1/2 oz Campari
- 2 dashes Celery Bitters
- 2 oz Soda Water
Salted Watermelon Shrub
- 2 cups Watermelon
- 1 1/2 cups White Sugar
- 1 Ea zest of one lemon
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 Cups Cane Vinegar
Instructions
- Add everything but the soda water into a cocktail shaker
- Shake well with ice
- Strain into a Collins glass with ice
- Top with Soda water
- Garnish with fresh mint or celery leaf
Salted Watermelon Shrub
- Add all ingredients except the vinegar to a bowl and mix well.
- Macerate for one hour.
- Add vinegar
- Let it sit for 24 hours, covered, in the fridge
- Fine-strain
