Monte Cassino

The Monte Cassino is a cocktail invented by yours truly and named after the famous invasion of Rome in WWII. Of course, with that information you can assume that it has both American and Italian ingredients. The cocktail itself is not extremely strong, coming in at 25% ABV, so it’s less than an Old Fashioned, but more than a Negroni (two cocktails which share some ingredients with the Monte Cassino).

I decided to craft this cocktail because I wanted to find more uses for my homemade cinnamon syrup, as well as inventing a Campari cocktail for people who don’t like Campari. One of the biggest gripes I hear from people is that they don’t like bitter cocktails. While I can’t relate, I can understand. It is a flavor profile that takes some getting used to. With the Monte Cassino cocktail I find that the bitterness is balanced by the sweet bite of the cinnamon syrup, and the fresh tang of the lemon juice.

How To Make A Monte Cassino Cocktail

Ingredients

• 50 ml Bourbon. Bulleit recommended.
• 25 ml Campari.
• 25 ml Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed
• 15 ml Cinnamon Syrup. Homemade (How To Make Cinnamon Syrup)
• 1 Egg White

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give a 10 second shake without ice to emulsify the egg white. Add ice and shake hard for 15-20 seconds. Double strain into a double rocks glass and garnish with a dehydrated orange or lemon slice.

One of the things I love about this drink is the pink color. You wouldn’t expect a pink drink to be very alcoholic, yet it’s right up there with a Manhattan or a Sidecar. However on the other hand it is also similar in ABV to a Jungle Bird, with color to boot. I do believe people should drink what they want, and if you want to drink a pink drink then more power to you.

Monte Cassino

5 from 2 votes

The Monte Cassino is the cocktail of summer 2020 (in my opinion, from the cocktails I've created). It may be a pink cocktail but it sure packs a wallop. Just 5 ingredients create a great balance between bitter, tart, spice, and freshness.

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 2 minutes mins

Servings: 1 drink

Course: Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Calories: 244

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 50 ml Bourbon Bulleit recommended
• 25 ml Campari
• 25 ml Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
• 15 ml Cinnamon Syrup homemade
• 1 Egg White

Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker

Method

 

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give a dry shake (without ice) for 10-15 seconds.
2. Add ice and shake hard for 15-20 seconds, then double strain into a double rocks glass.
3. Garnish with a dehydrated citrus slice and enjoy!

Notes

I put a large ice ball in my double rocks glass which does cause some dilution as time goes on. Some people might like this as it mutes the drink a bit by the end, but you could totally do without it.