Interesting Red Recipe

Make honey syrup (if not ready)

Combine equal parts honey and hot water (for this recipe use 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup hot water). Stir until honey dissolves completely. Cool before using. Yield: ~1/2 cup.

Chill glassware

Place your coupe or rocks glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail so it is nicely chilled at serving.

Combine ingredients

In a mixing glass or shaker filled with large ice cubes, add 2 oz dry gin, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz Campari, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz honey syrup, and 2 dashes orange bitters.

Stir or shake

Stir the mixture briskly with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted if using a mixing glass. If you prefer a slightly frothier, brighter texture because of the lemon and honey, shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds and then double-strain into the glass.

Prepare serving glass

If you chilled the glass with ice water, discard the ice/water. Add fresh ice to a rocks glass if serving on the rocks, or leave the coupe empty for a neat (up) presentation.

Strain and present

Double-strain the cocktail into your chilled coupe (for up) or over fresh ice in a rocks glass. The drink should be a vivid reddish hue — the 'Interesting Red.'

Garnish

Express the oils of an orange twist over the surface of the cocktail and rub the peel around the rim, then drop the twist into the drink. Optionally, add a maraschino cherry on a pick as a secondary garnish.

Taste and adjust balance: if the cocktail is too bitter from the Campari, add an extra 1/4 oz honey syrup and stir briefly; if too sweet, add a drop more lemon juice. Serve immediately.