Cardinale
The Cardinale is an IBA Contemporary Classic: 3 ingredients, stirred in a mixing glass and served in a coupe. That makes 85 ml in the glass: a small glass.
MethodStirred in a mixing glass
GlassCoupe
In the glass85 ml
Strength27.3%
Ingredients
- 40 mlgin
- 20 mldry vermouth
- 10 mlCampari
Method
- Pour all ingredients into mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well.
- Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: Garnish with a lemon zest.
What it tastes like
- bitter → sweet
- Properly dry: the 14th least sweet of 186, and what stays in the mouth is the spirit.
- round → sour
- It tends round: 155th of 186 for acidity, and what little acid there is comes from dry vermouth.
- light → strong
- In the finished glass, melted ice included, it runs 27.3%: 18th of 186, stronger than 91% of the catalogue.
Its closest neighbour is the Hanky Panky: 96 out of 100 for similarity.
Five that come close
- Hanky Panky3 degrees lighter and with sweet red vermouth in place of dry vermouth.
- Rob RoyBuilt on whisky and with scotch whisky in place of gin.
- BoulevardierWith more bitterness in it and built on whisky.
- Rabo de GaloBuilt on cachaça and with cachaça in place of gin.
- Manhattan3 degrees stronger and built on whisky.
Every drink near the Cardinale on the map
Recipe source: IBA · checked on 30 October 2026