Rome With a View

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Cocktail History

The Rome With a View is a modern cocktail that was created by Michael McIlroy at Attaboy in New York City, New York. Meant to be a cross between an Americano and a Collins template, it mixes the bittersweet Italian liqueur Campari with vermouth similar to the former and adds in the tart citrus, simple syrup, and soda water of the latter to create one of the more palatable Campari drinks out there.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Soda Water: This is a carbonated beverage made with water and dissolved carbon dioxide gas, which gives it a fizzy, neutral flavor.

Campari: This is a liqueur made in Italy with a blend of gentian root, herbs, spices, and citrus, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a bold, bitter orange flavor.

Dry Vermouth: This is a type of wine made with white wine and a blend of herbs and botanicals, which are fermented, fortified with a neutral spirit, and then lightly sweetened to develop a crisp, aromatic flavor.

Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.

Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water, which are heated into a syrup with a sweet flavor.

Orange Slice: This is a slice of orange that has been cut into a half wheel shape.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water
• 🔗 Campari
• 🔗 Dolin Dry Vermouth De Chambéry
• 🔗 Liber & Co. Classic Pure Cane Gum Syrup

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for serving mixed drinks made with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 Volarium Heavy Base Highball Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Vibrant orange-red hue with an ombré effect

• Aroma: Heavy orange

• Taste: Slight citrus-forward flavor mixed with herbal vermouth, citrus, and Campari notes

• Finish: Brief bitterness that melts into more orange

Kendall’s Take: “Folks, I think I did it. I found a Campari-forward drink that I actually enjoyed quite a lot. Unlike most recipes made with the Italian liqueur, the Campari isn’t immediately bracing at the beginning of the sip; its bitterness only really comes through near the swallow. I think the addition of citrus is what makes the difference for this fairly common template. The tartness cuts right through the gentian root and makes for one refreshing patio drink. I might just make the Rome With a View again to get myself more used to Campari!”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the book The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.