Old Pal | Dry Whiskey Cocktail with Campari
Published: 23.10.2026
Old Pal is a whiskey cocktail with three main ingredients in equal parts. Rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and Campari create a dry, bitter, and spicy drink that is stirred with ice and served with a lemon twist.
- Servings
- 1 cocktail
- Prep
- 1 min
- Cook
- 6 min
Ingredients
- 3 cl rye whiskey
- 3 cl dry vermouth
- 3 cl Campari
- Ice for stirring
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or cocktail glass.
- Add rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and Campari to a mixing glass.
- Add ice and stir until the mixture is cold.
- Strain into the glass.
- Press the oils from the lemon peel over the cocktail and garnish with the peel.
- Serve without ice in a well-chilled glass. Use dry vermouth and maintain the ratio of ingredients when adjusting the portion.
A Dry Relative in the Negroni Family
Old Pal fits among cocktails where spirits, vermouth, and bitter aperitif meet. It has a simple structure but a distinct expression. There are no juices or simple syrups to round off the mix.
This makes it an interesting choice when you want to explore a cocktail with less sweetness and more bitterness.
What Sets Old Pal Apart from Boulevardier?
Negroni is made with gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Boulevardier uses whiskey, often bourbon, along with sweet vermouth and Campari.
In Old Pal, rye whiskey and dry vermouth help to change the balance. It is particularly the vermouth that makes the comparison interesting: Dry vermouth does not provide the same sweetness and fullness as sweet red vermouth.
Equal Parts as a Starting Point
This recipe follows Campari Academy's ratio of equal parts. Here, 3 cl of each main ingredient is used. This makes the mix easy to remember and simple to scale.
Other recipes use a larger proportion of whiskey. There are different approaches to the same cocktail, but here we stick to one clear starting point.
The Story Behind the Name
Old Pal is associated with Paris and the cocktail scene around Harry MacElhone in the 1920s. The name is linked to sports journalist "Sparrow" Robertson, who referred to acquaintances as "old pals."
Historical accounts are not entirely consistent regarding the dating and type of vermouth in the early recipes. Today's well-known combination with dry vermouth should therefore not be presented as identical to all early versions.
Stirring is Part of the Recipe
The ice should both chill and add water. Therefore, stir the cocktail until it is properly cold before straining it into the glass.
The lemon peel finishes the serving with aroma. Press the oils over the surface before placing the peel in the glass. Old Pal is a drink to take some time with, especially if you want to get better acquainted with bitter cocktails.
Photos
Note: Information may contain errors. Always verify important facts yourself.
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