Blood Orange Citrus-hattan, awaken the taste buds

A scrumptious dinner is a lovely way to spend an evening with family and friends. Before the dinner starts, the conversation can be lightened with a pre-dinner cocktail. An apperitivo that awakens the tastes buds and compliments the dinner to be served can set the mood for the whole evening. Carpano Antica Formula, a flavorful vermouth, enhances a bright blood orange citrus-hattan served as an apperitivo to a Spring barbecue. 

The Carpano Antica Formula is an Italian vermouth that is highly regarded. Made from white wine, Piedmont’s muscatel and rich wines from southern Italy, the vermouth offers herbaceous qualities with notes of spice and dried fruit. 

This apperitivo is delightful as an ingredient in a craft cocktail. Adding the Carpano Antica Formula to a Manhattan inspired cocktail awakens the palate for a delicious dinner. Served prior to our spring barbeque meal, the Blood Orange Citrus-hattan balanced the brightness of orange notes with the smokey qualities of the pork loin dinner. 

Blood Orange Citrus-hattan

Ingredients

·         1 ½ parts Bullet Bourbon

·         1 part Carpano Antica Formula

·         1 part blood orange freshly squeezed juice

·         1 part seltzer

·         Blood orange peel for garnish

·         Blood orange slices frozen into ice cubes (optional)

Instructions                                                                               

Combine bourbon, Carpano Antica Formula, and blood orange juice. Pour into a rocks glass. Add a large ice cube or a couple of ice cubes containing frozen blood orange slices. Top with a splash of seltzer water. Garnish with a blood orange peel. 

Served as a pre-dinner cocktail, the Blood Orange Citrus-hattan has bright notes to open the senses to the spring themed dinner. The main course for dinner was a smoked black pepper and garlic rubbed pork, paired with roasted carrots and a parsnip puree. Smokey under notes with the spice from the pepper are offset by the sweetness of the parsnips and carrots. The result is a lovely balanced meal. 

When serving a lovely dinner, consider a palate awakening apperitivo prior to the meal. Carpano Antica Formula can be a delightful ingredient to any cocktail. What will you mix up?