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Cocktails

There’s a Bitter Cocktail for Everyone

March 20, 2023

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Shannon Sturgis

Cocktails

There’s a Bitter Cocktail for Everyone

March 20, 2023

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Shannon Sturgis

From bracing to “if you dare,” find your next favorite recipe on our Bitter Cocktail Matrix.

Between the worldwide adoption of all things aperitivo and the ascent of rule-breaking cocktails that exchange the dasher bottle for a jigger, it’s safe to say that bitter has taken over. But even if you’re not downing Angostura shots, the spectrum of bitter drinks still has something for you. Here’s how to dive in: Consider the lighter Rome With a View or tropical Bitter Mai Tai as a gateway before proceeding to bracing digestifs. And, if you dare, the extra-austere Campari Shakerato and Gunshop Fizz are just a few ingredients—and in the case of the latter, 2 ounces of Peychaud’s—away.

Ready to discover your next favorite cocktail? See where yours lies on our Bitter Cocktail Matrix, and find all of our top bitter recipes below.

Bitter Cocktail Recipe

Bitter Mai Tai
Recipe

Bitter Mai Tai

The iconic tiki drink gets a Campari twist.

Italian Buck
Recipe

Italian Buck

An Italian spin on the classic buck cocktail.

Rome with a view cocktail recipe
Recipe

Rome With a View

A measure of citrus kicks up this bracingly bittersweet spritz.

Campari Radler
Recipe

Campari Radler

A Campari-laced riff on the traditional German beer and citrus drink.

Recipe

Roman Holiday

This Jungle Bird omits rum altogether, focusing on amari and cold-brew coffee instead.

Bitter Handshake
Recipe

Bitter Handshake

An after-dinner Fernet Old-Fashioned brightened with a blood orange reduction.

Little Italy Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Little Italy

Audrey Sanders' modern classic take on the Manhattan.

Recipe

Hop Skip Jump

Bitter Cynar and Punt e Mes complement the hoppy aromas of American Pale Ale.

Blackstrap Rum Recipe
Recipe

The Black Stallion Sets Sail

A neo-tiki Negroni, made with blackstrap rum and "Ferrari."

bitter almond negroni
Recipe

Bitter Almond Negroni

A winterized rendition of the Negroni, with each of its building blocks swapped out.

Fernet Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Eeyore’s Requiem

A “deep dark Negroni, turned on its head.”

campari shakerato aperitivo cocktail recipe
Recipe

Campari Shakerato

A more approachable take on the austere and quite bitter Shakerato.

midnight marauder
Recipe

Midnight Marauder

An unexpected spin on the Negroni featuring mezcal, Bonal and Cynar.

Ferrari Campari Fernet Cocktail
Recipe

Ferrari

This popular industry drink is a potent 50/50 split of Fernet Branca and Campari.

Gunshop Fizz Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Gunshop Fizz

A full two ounces of Peychaud's bitters shine in this New Orleans-born cocktail.

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