Bourbon and Campari Drinks

So I got on the wagon for 2-3 weeks and didn't drink much. That is a bad habit that I must break.

Tonight I made 2 cocktails that combine bourbon with Campari, both recipes from Internet Cocktail Database.

The first, a "Belle of Camille," calls for 1 1/2 oz bourbon, I used Russell Reserve, and 1 oz Campari, shaken over ice and strained.

Not a bad cocktail; I liked it, but, then, I like cocktails that are a little sharp. You get the Campari kick in the back of your throat. One more ingredient in this - don't ask me what - and it would be a great drink.

The second was a "Special Manhattan" made with 1 3/4 oz bourbon (also Russell), 1/2 oz sweet vermouth (using Noilly Pratt), and 1/4 oz Campari. My little magnetic 1 tablespoon measuring cup that I keep on the fridge really comes in handy for directions like this.

This cocktail was smoother, a little too much sweet vermouth for me, but a hint of the Campari still came through. Not half bad either. I wouldn't have thought that Campari would play so well with bourbon.

Russell Reserve and campari 1 1/2 to 1
you get the sharpness of the campari in the back of ur throat
kind of pinkish
I think I like it; maybe could use one more ingredient to make it great


2nd one: vermouth comes through strongly, just a hint of campari in the background