Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Garibaldi Cocktail
A beautifully simple, two-ingredient aperitivo named after the Italian general. The secret lies entirely in the preparation of the 'fluffy' orange juice.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 1
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 1 serving
- Campari
- freshly squeezed orange juice (preferably from Cara Cara or blood oranges)
- ice cubes
- orange wedge
Equipment
- Highball glass
- Juicer
- Cocktail shaker or milk frother
Instructions
- 1
Select Oranges
The drink is only as good as the oranges. Use sweet, fresh oranges, ideally a mix including blood oranges for a redder hue.
- 2
Squeeze Fresh
Juice the oranges right before making the drink. Do not use bottled juice.
- 3
Strain Juice
Strain the fresh juice to remove the heavy pulp, keeping it smooth.
- 4
The 'Fluffing' Process
Crucial step: Pour the orange juice into a blender, or shake it vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ONE small ice cube. This aerates the juice, making it incredibly thick and 'fluffy'.
- 5
Prepare Glass
Fill a highball glass completely with fresh ice cubes.
- 6
Add Campari
Pour 1.5 oz (45ml) of Campari over the ice.
- 7
Pour Juice
Slowly pour the freshly fluffed orange juice (about 4 oz / 120ml) over the Campari.
- 8
Observe the Texture
The dense, aerated juice will sit on top initially, creating a beautiful gradient.
- 9
Stir
Stir very gently with a bar spoon to combine the bitter Campari with the sweet juice.
- 10
Garnish and Serve
Garnish with a thick wedge of orange and serve immediately.
Cooking Tips
- The 'fluffy' juice technique completely changes the mouthfeel of the drink, transforming it from a standard mixed drink into something velvety and luxurious.
- The color of the drink represents the red shirts worn by General Garibaldi's followers.
Variations
- Aperol Garibaldi: Substitute Aperol for a sweeter, lighter, lower-alcohol version.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- A classic example of how Italian culinary philosophy applies to drinks: few ingredients, but flawless execution.
Nutrition Estimate
130 calories · 1g protein · 12g carbs · 0g fat · 0g fiber per serving
