bitter baby julep

1 1/2 oz Cynar
1/2 oz Campari
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth (Cocchi)
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 Lemon (in wedges)
Fresh Mint Sprigs (2)

Muddle the lemon wedges, add the mint sprigs, and muddle lightly. Add rest of the ingredients, shake with ice, and strain over a Julep cup (or Double Old Fashioned) filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a dash of Angostura Bitters and a fresh mint sprig.

To end the evening that Tuesday, I decided to make a drink that I had spotted on a Cynar julep article on the Cocktail Enthusiast blog. Since the Cynar Julep from Rogue Beta Cocktails was so delicious, I was definitely game on trying one of them. From the trio of recipes, I selected the Bitter Baby Julep crafted by Tonia Duffy from Dram in Brooklyn. With the muddled lemon in the mix, perhaps a Bitter Baby Smash might be a more appropriate name; either way, this recipe was perfect for the warm summer evening.
The Julep welcomed me with a vegetal, mint, and allspice aroma. Lemon, caramel, and grape on the sip transitioned into Cynar and mint on the swallow and Campari on the finish.