Buzz
In my party days, I never really got into mixing caffeine and alcohol. The Four Loko craze passed me by, and I only tried a Red Bull & Vodka once in college during a frantic thermodynamics study session. That said, I’m not entirely opposed to the idea, especially in a gentler form. I like adding homemade Irish cream to my Christmas morning coffee, and a lightly alcoholic iced coffee in the afternoon sounds pretty enjoyable.
I’ve come across a few recipes for Negroni and iced coffee blends, but that’s a bit much for me. (I’m more delicate these days.) Three ounces of strong alcohol would knock me out no matter how much caffeine was involved, and I’m not keen on drinking cold brew during cocktail hour. But a splash of Campari in a cold, frosty iced coffee, minus the gin and vermouth? That’s a perfect little treat for the afternoon.
Invest in some nice glasses for your iced coffee.
These iced coffee cups with straws are all the rage on TikTok.
Curvy glasses that add a stylish touch to your table setting.
A charming to-go cup, perfect for sipping while soaking up the sun.
I've encountered a few recipes blending Negroni and iced coffee, but that's a bit too much for me these days. (I'm feeling quite fragile lately.) Three ounces of hard liquor would knock me out in the afternoon, no matter how much caffeine I had. Plus, cold brew isn’t the kind of drink I want to indulge in during happy hour. But just a dash of Campari in a chilled glass of iced coffee, without the gin or vermouth? Now that's a delightful treat for the afternoon.
Campari, for those who are unfamiliar, is a complex beverage. It has a juicy bitterness, an array of herbs, and a hint of burnt orange peel, with just enough sweetness to balance the botanicals. It pairs beautifully with iced coffee, particularly light roasts that have bright, citrusy notes. The result is bitter yet refreshing, and just a touch boozy, making it the ideal 2 p.m. pick-me-up or a fun addition to a weekend brunch.
Even though Campari is a liqueur with a fair amount of sugar, you may still want to add a little simple syrup to smooth out the rough edges from the ethanol. Without it, the mixture might taste too bitter and astringent. (Although, to be fair, it will still be pretty bitter, as it is Campari.) A squeeze of lemon can be a lovely garnish if you're in the mood for something extra.
Campari Iced Coffee
Ingredients:
6 oz of cold brew coffee
1 oz of Campari
1 tsp of simple syrup
1 lemon wedge
Combine all ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice, then stir. Garnish with a fresh squeeze of lemon and enjoy through a straw.
