Enjoy cozy fall nights with the Benny Blanco Cocktail recipe! Make this bold cocktail with Blanco Tequila, Campari, Aperol, Bianco Vermouth, and Ancho Reyes Liqueur.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 1 oz Blanco Tequila
- ½ oz Campari
- ½ oz Aperol
- ½ oz Bianco Vermouth
- ½ oz Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur - red label
- Ice cubes
- Blood orange zest spiral or slice - for garnish, optional
Prep Glass: Fill an Old Fashioned or Rocks glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
Add Bitter Liqueurs: Pour ½ oz Campari and ½ oz Aperol into the stirring glass.
Add Vermouth: Add ½ oz Bianco Vermouth.
Add Ancho Chile Liqueur: Add ½ oz Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur.
Add Tequila: Finally, add 1 oz Blanco Tequila to the mix.
Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
Strain: Discard the ice in the Old Fashioned glass and refill it with fresh, new ice cubes. Then, use the cocktail strainer to strain the drink into the ice-filled glass.
Garnish: Garnish with a blood orange zest spiral or with a blood orange slice and serve immediately.
Substitutes:
- Blanco Tequila: If you don't have Blanco Blanco, try using mezcal for a smokier flavor profile.
- Campari: If you find Campari too bitter, you can use Aperol exclusively, doubling its amount to replace Campari.
- Aperol: If you run out of Aperol, you can use any other light aperitivo liqueur.
- Carpano Bianco: Dry vermouth can be used as an alternative; it changes the drink slightly but still tastes great.
- Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur: If you can't find this liqueur, try using a chili powder mix with simple syrup for that spicy kick.
Making a Pitcher of Benny Blanco Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Tapatio Blanco Tequila, 4 oz of Campari, 4 oz of Aperol, 4 oz of Bianco Vermouth, and 4 oz of Ancho Reyes Liqueur.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the tequila, Campari, Aperol, Carpano Bianco, and Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with Blood Orange Zests, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Tequila Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic tequila's flavor.
- Campari Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic aperitif or make a simple syrup infused with orange peel and a touch of bitterness from grapefruit juice.
- Aperol Substitute: Use an orange-flavored syrup to replace Aperol's sweetness and slight bitterness.
- Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur Substitute: aromatize some simple syrup with chili peppers.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.