Old Pal Cocktail: Your Boozy Best Friend
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The Old Pal is a boozier version of the Negroni and Boulevardier. It’s also delicious. Craft one at home in just five minutes and find out if the Old Pal will be your new best friend.
You’re not crazy if you think that our Old Pal cocktail recipe seems familiar.
For one thing, this classic cocktail has been kicking around bars for a century. But that’s probably not the only reason…
This potent potable has boozy buddies (or should we say old pals?) that you probably already know. Those buddies are the Negroni and Boulevardier. We like to say they’re the Old Pal’s friends with boozy benefits.
What Is the Old Pal Cocktail?
The classic Old Pal cocktail is a boozy red beverage originally crafted with equal parts of Canadian Club, Campari and dry vermouth. Over the years, this recipe evolved to replace Canadian Club with rye whiskey. Some mixologists, including us, have chosen to ramp up the rye, essentially changing the recipe’s ratio from 1:1:1 to 2:1:1.
A simple way to describe the Old Pal is a Negroni crafted with gin and dry vermouth. Yet another description is a rye Boulevardier with dry vermouth.
Yes, it would be easy to dismiss the Old Pal as derivative, but the same can be said about most cocktails. The better plan is to imbibe an Old Pal while you debate its merits.
History of the Old Pal Cocktail
We’re not being cute when we say that the Old Pal is good friends with the Boulevardier. After all, both cocktails were created by Harry MacElhone, the iconic mixologist who owned Harry’s New York Bar in Paris and penned the equally iconic Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails.
Fun Fact
MacElhone didn’t just create the Boulevardier and Old Pal cocktails. He also gets credit for crafting the Bloody Mary, French 75 and Sidecar cocktails.
But what about Old Pal’s name? Cocktail lore reveals that MacElhone named the cocktail after his ‘old pal’ William Robinson. Robinson must have been a true-blue friend to warrant this recognition.
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Ingredients
Following the classic cocktail playbook, the Old Pal has just a handful of ingredients:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
You’ll notice that the Old Pal’s three main ingredients are all liquor. Once you assemble them, you’ll be minutes away from meeting (i.e., crafting) your new best friend (aside from your dog).
How to Craft an Old Pal Cocktail
The first step in this recipe is to measure the rye whiskey, Campari and dry vermouth and pour each directly into a mixing glass. We use a Japanese jigger to ensure accurate measurements and make clean pours. Another option is to use a small angled measuring cup.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Add ice and stir with a bar spoon until the three liquids are combined and chilled. This step should take about 20 seconds.
Next, strain the cocktail into a coupe glass.
The final step is to garnish with a lemon twist.
It’s now time to discover if the Old Pal is your new best friend too.
Variations
We think you’re going to like our Old Pal recipe. However, we won’t be insulted if you want to broaden your cocktail circle by trying the following Old Pal variations:
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Old Pal Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces rye whiskey
- ¾ ounce Campari
- ¾ ounce vermouth (dry)
- 1 lemon peel (garnish)
- ice cubes (for mixing)
Instructions
- Combine rye whiskey, Campari and dry vermouth in a mixing glass.
- Add several ice cubes and stir for 20 seconds or until the liquids are mixed and chilled.
- Strain into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
- You can use a small martini glass instead of a coupe glass.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Old Pal is a classic cocktail crafted with rye whiskey, Campari and dry vermouth. It’s typically garnished with a lemon twist.
The Old Pal is crafted with rye whiskey, Campari and dry vermouth, while a Negroni is crafted with gin, Campari and sweet vermouth.
The Old Pal is crafted with rye whiskey, Campari and dry vermouth, while a Boulevardier is crafted with bourbon, Campari and sweet vermouth.
The Old Pal cocktail was invented at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris.
Rye Whiskey, Campari, Dry Vermouth, Ice Cubes (for stirring) and Lemon Peel (garnish)
The Old Pal cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
We like to serve this cocktail in a coupe glass, but you could use a small martini glass instead.
We can’t answer that question. You’ll have to craft and drink the cocktail yourself to answer this question.
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