Recognised variation

Cardinale

Gin and Campari with dry vermouth. The wine brings its own herbal character.

Structure

Required
Optional

What changed from the Classic

Rosso vermouthDry vermouth

Gin and Red bitter stay.

Taste

Bitterness
Gentle
Bitter
Sweetness
Dry
Sweet
Body
Light
Full
Herbal character
Clean
Herbal
Strength feel
Softer
Stronger

Dry vermouth brings wine character of its own to gin and red bitter. Without the familiar richness of sweet red vermouth, their edges can feel more exposed, but a spare drink still has something to enjoy in the middle. The proportions matter as well as the wine: giving gin more room makes a different proposition from dividing the ingredients equally. If you like a more defined botanical drink, Cardinale gives that preference somewhere interesting to go.

The story

The dry-vermouth cousin, and an official one at that. Keep gin and Campari, replace sweet vermouth with dry, and the wine brings another kind of herbal support. It’s a step towards Martini territory, with Campari still holding the bitter end.

Make a Cardinale

Different bottles change the balance. Choose a mix to see its ingredients and method.

Tanqueray, Campari & Dolin Dry
Dolin Dry takes the wine’s place alongside Tanqueray and Campari, in equal measures.
View mix →

Structure

Taste

Make a Cardinale

Around the drink