Lyre's Aperitif Recipe

Prepare glass

Chill a Collins or highball glass by filling it with ice and setting aside while you build the cocktail.

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 tbs gin (or non‑alcoholic gin alternative), 1 tbs dry vermouth (or alternative), 1 tbs Campari (or non‑alcoholic bitter aperitif), 0.5 tbs orange liqueur (or non‑alcoholic orange aperitif), 0.5 tbs fresh lemon juice, and 0.25 tbs simple syrup. Add enough ice to the shaker to come about three‑quarters full.

Shake

Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until the shaker is cold to the touch and the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted.

Prep serving glass

Dump the ice from the chilled Collins/highball glass. Add fresh ice to the glass (cracked or cubed depending on preference).

Strain and top

Fine‑strain the shaken mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Gently top with about 1.5 oz cold soda water to add effervescence. Stir once gently with a bar spoon to integrate but retain carbonation.

Garnish

Express an orange twist over the drink (pinch the peel to release oils), then run the peel around the glass rim and drop it into the drink. Optionally, slap a small sprig of thyme or rosemary between your hands to release aromatics and rest it on top as an additional garnish.

Serve

Serve immediately while cold and effervescent. Provide a straw if desired.