Bittersweet Endings

Our March cocktail is Bittersweet Endings, in honor of the book Looking For Jane by Heather Marshall. This was such a compelling story about three women's reproductive journeys as related to reproductive rights through the decades. I decided to try and create a cocktail that reflected all of the heartbreak combined with triumph and joy found in this story. In the search for ingredients to create this drink, I came across a bitters liquor called Campari that I had never tried before. It hails from Italy and is used as an aperitif. I added a little bit of sweet with grenadine and lemon-lime soda, but tried to keep it on the bitter side just a bit more.

So what did Susan and I think? There was the desired effect for both of us having a sweetness up front with bitters at the end. Susan wasn't really a Campari fan though. It was just a little too bitter for her. I agreed that in this drink mixed with the lemon and tequila it didn't quite work. I tried it with no lemon and less Campari and it was better. However, the real win was when I mixed the Campari with Triple Sec, gin, grenadine and lemon-lime soda. It was a much better balance. You still got the bitters of the Campari, which I actually didn't mind, but it was much smoother. If you enjoy a good bitters cocktail, I recommend experimenting with Campari. Until next time have a drink, read a book and be happy!

Jen

Susan

Recipe

1.5 oz tequila

1 oz campari

.5 oz lemon juice

.5 oz grandine

Top with lemon lime soda

Put ice in a rocks glass. Add first four ingredients. Top with soda and stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge.