Infinite MonkeysHere's an Italian variation on the gin and tonic -- gin and chinotto. OK, it's actually pronounced key-NAWT-toe, not chin-auto, but I couldn't resist the pun. And, in case you're wondering, it's a type of bitter citrus fruit, an Italian kissing cousin of the orange. Chinotto also makes for a tasty mixer, especially with gin on a warm weekend afternoon...
Chinotto just happens to be a primary ingredient in Campari, a splash or two of which goes great with a gin and tonic. Campari is also a vital component of the Negroni, one of the classic gin cocktails of the 20th century.
But let's keep it simple, shall we?
The San Pellegrino people make the one and only Chinotto soft drink worth drinking. It comes in a little bottle, looks like Coke and tastes a bit like it, too, except with a strong bitter orange flavor amid that sweet cola goodness. You can get it at Beverages and More and other fine soda pop stores. (Amazon sells it, too.)
Anyway, Chinotto and gin makes for a nice cooler -- a little bit bitter, a little bit sweet, and plenty refreshing.
The recipe so easy, even a boozehound like Atomizer could make it:
Pour into a tall glass with ice and stir lightly; garnish with a lemon.
* You can substitute rum or vodka for the gin, naturally. I recommend a light rum. Matter of fact, there is a rum drink called the Dissidente that requires rum, Chinotto and bitters. But since it's the Summer of Gin, stick with the program. You will be ruined, of course, but it will be worth it.
Other posts in the Summer of Gin series so far:
Posted by Ben at May 11, 2008 08:50 AM