At first glance, this looks like a mish-mash of whatever the hell you can manage to find on the backbar and in the fridge, but it actually works. The reason is that this is simply a citrus Negroni. The ratios are completely different, but the end result is quite balanced, tasty and elegant. In fact, you might consider this cocktail a gateway drug to the more intense flavors of the Negroni.
Here’s what creator Gary ‘gaz’ Regan recently told me about this libation: “It’s a typical regan drink since it’s just a riff on someone else’s well-thought-out cocktail! This drink is actually a rip-off of a drink called the Old Flame, created by Dale DeGroff. gaz regan played around with Dale’s formula a little, then named the drink in honor of Dale’s wife, Jill DeGroff, a graphic artist who executes fabulous caricatures of the world’s leading cocktailian bartenders.”
I like it and will gladly drink this if proffered to me. Cheers, gaz!
The Caricature Cocktail
1.5oz gin
0.75oz triple sec
0.5oz sweet vermouth
0.5oz campari
0.5oz grapefruit juice
Garnish: orange twist
Shake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Add orange twist.
Note: Use 100% red grapefruit juice, not white. Very important.
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