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Old Pal Cocktail Drink

Old Pal Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Stay refreshed with this classic Old Pal Cocktail recipe! Combining rye whiskey, Campari, and dry vermouth, it's the go-to drink to elevate your evening.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 192

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Rye Whiskey
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz dry Vermouth
  • Ice cubes
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill your Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  • Add Vermouth: Add 1 oz dry Vermouth over the ice into your Old Fashioned glass.
  • Add Campari: Measure and pour 1 oz Campari.
  • Add Rye Whiskey: Pour 1 oz Rye Whiskey.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
  • Garnish: Twist a lemon zest and place it into the glass for garnish.
  • Serve: Sip and savor your Old Pal. Cheers!

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Rye Whiskey: Bourbon is a good alternative if you don't have rye. It offers a slightly sweeter profile that's equally satisfying. I've also tried Canadian whisky for a smoother touch.
  • Campari: Aperol can replace Campari with a lighter, less bitter flavor. Having used both, I can attest that each offers a unique twist to the drink.
  • Dry Vermouth: While it's not traditional, I've swapped in sweet vermouth when in a bind. It imparts a richer, slightly sweeter flavor to the cocktail.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher for 8 guests, multiply all the ingredients by 8: 8 oz of rye whiskey, 8 oz of Campari, and 8 oz of dry vermouth.
  • Mix: In a sizeable pitcher, blend the rye whiskey, Campari, and dry vermouth with some ice. Give it a good stir.
  • Serve: Fill individual Old Fashioned glasses with ice, pour in the mixture, garnish with a lemon twist, and present immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Rye Whiskey Substitute: There are non-alcoholic versions of whiskey available in the market that imitate the depth and smokiness of whiskey.
  • Campari Substitute: For a non-alcoholic variant, use a homemade syrup made with orange peel, a smidgen of grapefruit juice, and some non-alcoholic aperitif for that bitterness.
  • Dry Vermouth: try a non-alcoholic option available in the market.
  • Proceed As Usual: Replace the alcoholic components with these alternatives and follow the standard recipe to enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

The standard Old Pal Cocktail is naturally vegan. However, always ensure to read the labels of each ingredient to confirm no animal derivatives or processing agents were used. Some wines and spirits, for example, utilize animal-based fining agents. Checking with manufacturers directly can provide the most accurate information.