Bitter Giuseppe recipe
A modern low-ABV masterpiece highlighting bittersweet Cynar and rich vermouth.
Method: Stirred ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 2 oz Cynar
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth (preferably Punt e Mes)
- 1 tsp Fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes Orange bitters
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
How to make a Bitter Giuseppe
- Combine Cynar, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir thoroughly for thirty seconds to chill and properly dilute the mixture.
- Strain the liquid into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the oils from a fresh lemon twist over the surface of the drink and drop it in.
Garnish
Lemon twist
Pro tip
Use a bitter sweet vermouth like Punt e Mes to maintain structural balance against the vegetal bitterness of Cynar.
History of the Bitter Giuseppe
Created in 2007 by bartender Stephen Cole at The Violet Hour in Chicago, this drink changed the perception of amaro by placing Cynar at the forefront rather than using it merely as a modifier.
Flavour profile
Bitter, Herbal, Complex, Rich
Variations
- Black Manhattan Twist — Substitute rye whiskey for half of the Cynar.
- Bitter Giuseppe Blanco — Use dry white vermouth and grapefruit bitters for a lighter profile.
Practise making the Bitter Giuseppe in the free Virtual Bar game.