Campari: Killer in Red
"they say your cocktails express peoples destiny. that they predict the future. is that true?"
On January 24, Campari released its first ever short-film in collaboration with Clive Owen called Killer in Red. It's part of their Red Diaries Series. When the team at Campari reached out to include me in this exciting partnership, I didn't think twice! I mean, who doesn't love a good cocktail with Campari? Especially one that leaves you with a unique drinking experience.
Playing the role of a flirtatious bartender in an upscale L.A. club named Floyd, Clive's character is known to craft cocktails explicitly for people, one that carries some sort of meaning. Over the course of the short-film, Clive Owen showcased three Campari cocktails. Two classics and one rare cocktail. Each concoction holds a significant meaning based on his perception of the individuals' character. "One sweet, one bitter."
For Anna, he crafted the classic Negroni. His prediction was that she would meet her future husband that night and that she was going to get married very soon.
Next up was the Americano. A drink that means that you can get anything you want if you know how to use what you've got.
Lastly, the rare Killer in Red consisting of Camomille Gin, Vermouth Bianco, Grand Marnier, Campari and the ingredient that gives this drink its unique name: a drop of rose essence.
By the end of the film, I was inspired by Floyd to play the role of a bartender! It gave me the opportunity to bring out my amateur bartender skills to play and experiment with different ingredients. Intrigued by understanding the science of mixology, I settled to make a classic Negroni.
Negroni
1 part (1oz) Campari
1 part (1oz) Gin
1 part (1oz) Red Vermouth
1 slice of Orange
Pour all ingredients directly into a rocks glass, add ice, gently stir and garnish with a orange slice.
Personally, I've always enjoyed the occasional Negroni. For those who've never tasted one, a Negroni is a balanced cocktail, both bitter & sweet. It's a deceptively elegant blood-orange coloured cocktail that is aromatic, bold and clean-tasting to the palette. Combining three simple ingredients: Campari, Gin and Red Vermouth, this cocktail never fails to make you feel sophisticated and good about yourself!
Without giving away too much, it's safe to say this short-film is just as complex and intriguing as the cocktails themselves. The more you watch it, the better it gets much like the drinks; after your first sip, you already know that you want more. Slightly bitter at first with a sweet finish, each of the cocktails made my Floyd (Clive Owen) compliment his protagonist role in the movie.
So... What are you waiting for? Check out the video below and indulge with your own concoction using Campari. Perhaps a Killer in Red?