Casamara Alta Recipe

Chill and fill

Choose a highball or large Collins glass. Fill the glass with large ice cubes so the glass is mostly full — large cubes melt slower and keep the drink from diluting quickly.

Combine bitters and fortified wine

In a mixing glass or small pitcher, add 1 oz Campari and 0.5 oz sweet vermouth. Stir briefly to combine.

Add fresh juices and sweetener

To the mixing glass add 0.5 oz fresh orange juice, 0.25 oz grapefruit cordial or pink grapefruit juice (if using), 0.25 tbsp simple syrup and 0.25 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Stir gently until the syrup is incorporated and the mix is homogeneous. Taste and adjust: if it tastes too bitter, add up to another 0.25 tbsp simple syrup; if too sweet, add a few drops more lemon juice.

Pour the blended aperitivo mixture over the ice-filled glass, using an amount that leaves room for sparkling liquids — about 2.0–2.25 oz of the mixture (the full mixture as written will be appropriate for a single serving).

Slowly top with chilled sparkling water (6 oz) and chilled tonic water (2 oz). Pour gently over the back of a spoon or down the glass side to retain carbonation and create a light layered effect. Give one gentle stir (1–2 rotations) to integrate the soda without flattening it.

Express the orange: hold an orange wheel or peel over the drink and squeeze/twist to release the oils, then drop the wheel or twist into the glass. Add a rosemary sprig if using — clap it between your palms once and place it in the glass for aromatic lift.

Serve immediately with a straw or stirrer. Encourage sipping slowly as an aperitivo to enjoy the bitter-sweet balance and effervescence.