from Bon Appétit, May 2008
Makes 1 cocktail
The Bicicletta is a
global cocktail that has made its way around the world in a languorous sort of
way, befitting its role as a casual aperitif, ending up wherever Italians and
Italophiles alight. It is served in Sydney at Icebergs
restaurant overlooking Bondi Beach, at Fergus Henderson’s St. John in London’s Smithfield
neighborhood, and under the bougainvillea in my backyard in Los Angeles. It is
an ideal aperitif: neither too strong, too weak nor too sweet.
It has a bit of floral fruit to it, a thirst-quenching quality, and is
pleasantly bitter, as a proper aperitif should be. The Bicicletta is said to
get its name from the old Italian men who favor it,
and who, after indulging in a few, wobble home on their bikes. A bad idea. A good story. And an even better cocktail. –Hugh Garvey
Ingredients:
Ice cubes
2 ounces Campari
1 ˝ ounces dry white wine
˝ ounce club soda
Lemon slice
Procedure:
1. Fill wine glass with ice. Add Campari, wine and soda; stir to mix. Garnish with lemon slice, if desired.