Riding a Bicycle was Never so Tasty
Years ago, in the days before children, I used to drink cocktails at the cocktail hour. I didn’t have to worry about supper for small girls or bath time or whether I should be drinking and nursing. All I had to worry about was what to wear with my new shoes.
Sometimes they were called sundowners. Sometimes they were called aperitifs. Sometimes they were drunk in a bar or a café overlooking a busy street or a beach. Sometimes they were drunk in a tiny, crowded and way too smoky, but back in the day I didn’t notice, hole in the wall bar. Sometimes they were drunk in the cockpit or on the bow of a boat. Sometimes they were drunk in the crew mess.
The cocktails were occasionally margaritas or daquiris or martinis. More often, it was a beer or a glass of wine. Sometimes, depending on where the cocktail was being drunk, it was a delicious mix of Campari and something else. A negroski or an americano or just a Campari and soda or grapefruit, any of them made the cocktail hour a little more satisfactory. You can even buy pre-mixed Campari Soda in little bottles in Italy, how civilized is that?
Someone once made me La Bicyclette. I had never had one and was sold as soon as I found out what was in it. Campari, white wine, club soda and lemon. I hadn’t even tasted it but I knew I would love it and I did. Refreshing and delicious and just a little bit fruity, not too bitter, not too sweet. The sweetness is easily adjusted by wine choice, the strength by soda quantity. I think that, strictly speaking, it should probably only have a splash of soda but these days I need one drink to last a long time or I’ll be asleep before bath time.
I know that Campari is not everyone’s favourite taste. Big Daughter saw my La Bicyclette this evening and her eyes lit up. She coyly asked for a sip expecting, I think, something tasting like toxic pink freezie. She was not at all impressed and informed me, ‘it is 32 yucky.’ I know that, on her scale of yuckiness, earwigs are a 34 yucky so I am guessing she has decided against Campari for the foreseeable future. Oh well, more for me.
I chose a wine that has some sweetness but not so much that we won’t drink it on its own. Valley Roads L’Acadie Muscat is not bone dry and has a bit of tropical fruit and citrus which always taste good with Campari. I also like to think it Nova Scotiafies this little tipple.
La Bicyclette (makes one tasty cocktail)
2 ounces* Campari
2 ounces white wine (chose a sweeter wine, if you prefer sweeter drinks)
4 ounces club soda (it should probably only have about 1 ounce, a splash)
A slice or two of lemon
Ice cubes
Mix the Campari and wine together** and pour over ice and lemon in a wine glass. Top with club soda. Drink.
*or just use 1/4 cup if you, like me, don't seem to have a shot glass.
**if you want to get all fancy, you could use a shaker but I think a spoon and glass are just fine here.
Reader Comments (3)
Hi Hi, I really don't like Campari however I think I shall give this a go when I am next drinking!
Hope all well.
Muich love The Aunt
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Leah.... you have a really lovely way with words, drink & food --most enjotable reading !! As I sit here in a very warm hospital room , with sweet Madi sleeping peacefully........ I dream of celebrating La Bicyclette days with family & friends Cheers my dear !! NanaB
Nana B - I have been thinking of you and your girls and sending lots of love and positivity. And, an invitation to ours for drinks and food is hereby extended for your use at anytime. xxoo