Old Pal
The Old Pal is a classic cocktail that beautifully balances the rich flavors of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- 5 min
- Easy
- Nick and Nora Glass
- 3 ingredients
Old Pal
Ingredients
- Rye whiskey2 oz
- Campari1 oz
- Dry Vermouth1 oz
Method
- Chill cocktail glass.
- Add ingredients to a mixing glass, and fill 2/3 full with ice.
- Stir about 20 seconds.
- Empty cocktail glass and strain into the glass.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
What you need
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The hero bottle
See 7 Rye whiskey drinksWhere it comes from
The Old Pal emerged in the 1920s as a drier, more sophisticated sibling to the Boulevardier, swapping vermouth distribution and ratios to emphasize aperitif complexity over warm sweetness. Named for a bartender's greeting, this Prohibition-era classic represents the era's cocktail innovation, when bartenders experimented with balanced proportions of aromatized wines. It remains less celebrated than its cousins but offers compelling bitter-herbal notes for the discerning drinker.
Tips from the bar
- Use a dry rye with spicy character to stand up to the assertive Campari and vermouth combination
- Balance the drink carefully—equal parts creates intensity, so slight adjustments in ratios suit individual palates better than rigid adherence to recipes
- Stir longer than usual to achieve proper dilution and integration, as the aromatized wines need adequate water to mellow
- Serve immediately in a coupe or nick and nora glass to showcase the drink's translucent amber color.
Twists worth trying
- Modern Pal
- Incorporates Amaro Nonino instead of Campari for herbal complexity and reduced bitterness
- Bitter Pal
- Increases dry vermouth ratio to 1:1 with Campari for intensified aromatic character
- Vermouth-Forward Pal
- Adds a dash of orange bitters and expressed orange peel for citrus brightness.
What to eat with it
- Cured meats and aged cheeses
- Roasted beet and goat cheese salad
- Marinated olives and marinated almonds
- Pan-seared scallops with lemon butter
The finished drink
Questions
What is in a Old Pal?
A Old Pal is made with rye whiskey, campari, dry vermouth.
What glass do you use for a Old Pal?
Serve a Old Pal in a nick and nora glass.
What does a Old Pal taste like?
Expect bitter, herbal, spicy.
What can I make with Rye whiskey?
We have 7 drinks built around Rye whiskey. See them all on the Rye whiskey page.
More with Rye whiskey
Every Rye whiskey drink →One good drink, every Friday.
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