After prolonged discussions about my recently acquired rhubarb bitters (thanks, Jeremy!) and an excellent prohibition cocktail (ginger beer and rhubarb bitters - next time a lime twist is in order), I decided to finally do a Monday mixology post. It’s a very very far departure from a Negroni, but that idea is more or less where I started. Given the color, I’m calling it La Comunista. My first impulse was to call it Sangue del comunista. I’m certain that I’ll get better at naming these things as I go along.

3 oz. Gin (No. 209) + 3 oz. Campari + splash of Grenadine (Rose’s) + several liberal dashes of Rhubarb Bitters (Fee Brothers) + juice of one lime + ginger beer to fill

Everything but the ginger beer went into a shaker, which I stirred quickly with some ice cubes. This got dumped into chilled cocktail glasses, then topped off with ginger beer.

The color is shockingly red, as Campari is wont to do. I figured that Grenadine as a sweetener would keep it from going too pink. There’s still a slightly pink tint to it, but overall I feel less girlie than I did with, say, the Jack Rose. These are priorities in my life.

First sip and I will admit that I’m a bit in love. The Rhubarb Bitters add a nice floral note to the bitterness of the Campari. I can’t taste the gin much. The lime and ginger go so well together. Those bitters are so lovely and special; I’m certainly glad that I bought them.

There is something extremely satisfying about concocting something drinkable after last night’s disaster of a fizz.

Though the proportions were moderately Negroni-based, I did forget that the Campari in that drink is evened out by the Vermouth. There’s a slightly bitter edge to this one which I don’t find displeasing, but I’m sure that people would.

Consensus was: less Campari, more ginger. Learn to cut twists and add a lime twist next time. That said, I will definitely be drinking this one again. Soon.