Valentino

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 60 ml Vodka
- 15 ml Campari
- 15 ml Sweet Vermouth
- Orange Peel Oils (Twist)

GARNISH:
- Lemon Twist
- Snapdragon

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing glass.
• Add ice and stir for 30-45 sec. or approx. 60 revolutions.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Express orange peel oils over the top.
• Garnish with a lemon twist and a snapdragon.

Cocktail author: Gary “Gaz” Regan.

Summer is the time of the year dominated by rather sweet and fruity cocktails, fitting so well with that warm and sunny weather. However, every now and again, one feels the craving for a boozier stir-down style cocktail, even though it is a middle of the steaming hot summer. Valentino is the perfect cocktail to fill this void: strong, bitter yet still blending well into a summer palette.

Base spirit of the cocktail is vodka, not the usual choice in a cocktail world, but in this context, it works. It manages to provide a satisfying boozy kick and silky texture without overpowering and camouflaging modest doses of other ingredients, resulting in a rather sophisticated and subtle flavour profile. Campari is probably the most noticeable addition in this drink, bringing a lot of bitterness along with subtle notes of orange. Sweet vermouth further expands the sweet dimension while also providing complex botanical undertones, blending well with the Italian amaro. Orange peel oils adds the finishing fragrant touch nicely blending into the overall flavour profile.

Valentino is a seemingly simple cocktail with a surprisingly summery flavour palette of refreshing bitterness and complex herbaceousness. A tasty sipper for warm summer evenings, especially if you are feeling a little fancy.

Source material:
https://punchdrink.com/recipes/valentino-cocktail-recipe/