Even at the height of my revelry, I never combined caffeine and alcohol. The Four Loko craze completely passed me by, and the only time I drank Red Bull and vodka was during a desperate and frantic thermodynamics study session in college.
However, I am not completely opposed to the idea, particularly when presented in a less aggressive manner. I enjoy a bit of homemade Irish cream in my Christmas morning cup of ho-ho-joe, and I’m not opposed to the notion of an alcoholic iced coffee in the afternoon.
I have seen a few recipes for Negroni-iced coffee hybrids, but I find them excessive. (I’m quite delicate these days.) Even with caffeine, three ounces of hard alcohol would put me to sleep in the middle of the day, and I don’t want to start sipping a cold brew at cocktail hour.
But what about a dash of Campari in a tall, icy glass of iced coffee without the gin and vermouth? This is a delightful midday treat.
Obtain attractive containers for your iced coffee.
I have seen a few recipes for Negroni-iced coffee hybrids, but I find them excessive. (I’m quite delicate these days.) Even with caffeine, three ounces of hard alcohol would put me to sleep in the middle of the day, and I don’t want to start sipping a cold brew at cocktail hour.
But what about a dash of Campari in a tall, icy glass of iced coffee without the gin and vermouth? This is a delightful midday treat.
For the unwary, Campari has a lot going on. It is juicy but bitter, with an abundance of herbs and a hint of orange rind that has been burned, with just enough sweetness to balance out all of those botanicals.
Additionally, it combines exceptionally well with iced coffee, particularly light roasts with citrusy notes. It is bitter and bracing, refreshing, and mildly boozy, making it the ideal afternoon pick-me-up or weekend brunch beverage.
Even though Campari is technically a liqueur and contains a reasonable amount of sugar, you will still need to add a small amount of simple syrup to soften the harsh edges of the ethanol; otherwise, the mixture will be overly bitter and astringent. (It will still be quite acrid, as Campari is involved.) If you desire a garnish, lemon juice is delectable.
Campari Iced Espresso
Ingredients:
- 6 fluid ounces of cold-brewed coffee
- ounce of Campari
- 1 milligram of basic syrup
- 1 lemon segment
Stir together all ingredients in a tall glass loaded with ice. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and drink through a straw.
