This orange pomegranate campari spritz is our take on an iocane powder cocktail. A blend of bitter Campari, bright citrus, and sparkling Lambrusco into a deceptively sweet pomegranate orange cocktail worthy of Vizzini’s final battle of wits.
The Princess Bride: A Feast for True Love
Journey to the country of Florin for a feast filled with adventure, intrigue, and most of all – true love. Buttercup and Westley’s love was just the beginning of their story – a story filled with marauding pirates, villainous princes, and the greatest sword fight in history. From Inigo Montoya’s hard-won revenge and Vizzini’s loss at the battle of wits, to Miracle Max’s delicious cure, Buttercup and Westley face many challenges along the way. Indulge in an epic feast that begins on a rustic farm, travels across seas and swamps, introduces us to a host of unforgettable characters, and ends with the greatest kiss of all time.
A battle of wits
Having bested both the swordsman Inigo and Fezzick the giant, the Man in Black approaches Vizzini the Sicilian for one final showdown to rescue Buttercup. Certain of his mental prowess, Vizzini agrees to a battle of wits to the death. The Man in Black produces a white powder, iocane, that is both odourless and tasteless and is one of the more deadlier poisons known to man. The poison is placed in one of two wine glasses and it is up to Vizzini to deduce which one has the poison before they both take a drink. Unfortunately for the Sicilian, the iocane is in both glasses and he loses the battle of wits.
"Alright, where is the poison? The battle of wits has begun. It ends when you decide and we both drink and find out who is right and who is dead."
- The Princess Bride (1987 film)
Iocane powder may be the star ingredient in this cocktail, but rest assured it won’t cause any harm. In a nod to the Sicilian, this cocktail includes both Campari, an Italian aperitif, and Lambrusco, an Italian semi-sparkling red wine. A splash of Campari adds a hint of citrus flavour and a touch of bitterness to suggest the inclusion of the deadly poison. Fresh orange juice brings out the citrus notes of the Campari while a pomegranate simple syrup adds sweetness. A touch of citric acid stands in for the deadly iocane powder and adds a balancing acidity to this cocktail. Topped with the Lambrusco wine, this sweet and slightly bitter cocktail is the perfect refreshing aperitif to enjoy on your quest for true love.
MORE PRINCESS BRIDE Recipes
- Farmer’s Carrot and Goat Cheese Tart with Honey and Dill
- The Dread Pirate Roberts’ Fisherman’s Pie
- Honey Chorizo Baked Manchego Cheese
- Spicy Smashed Potatoes with Blistered Peppers
- Grilled Lamb Sandwich with Cherry Tomato Jam
Ingredients for Orange Pomegranate Campari Spritz
Campari: With its distinct bright red colour, this Italian aperitif is characterized by its sweet and bitter flavour. Its closely guarded secret recipe includes a variety of aromatic herbs and fruit.
Lambrusco wine: Lambrusco is a type of red wine grape produced primarily in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It is often made into a frizzante style of semi-sparkling wine. Dark red in colour, Lambrusco has a fresh, fruity flavour with a hint of floral notes.
Citric acid: Standing in for iocane powder is citric acid. The balancing acidity that is usually added by a splash of lemon juice is replaced with a small dash of citric acid. Often used in food preservation and canning, citric acid should be easy to source at any gourmet food store or spice market. It can be replaced by fresh lemon juice if desired.
Orange juice: Fresh orange juice highlights the citrus notes in the Campari.
Pomegranate juice: Pomegranate juice is used to make a simple syrup and add sweetness to this cocktail.
How to Make An Iocane Powder Cocktail
Make the syrup
In a saucepan placed over medium heat, combine the pomegranate juice and sugar. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When it comes to a simmer and the sugar is dissolved, remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. The syrup will last in the fridge for about 3 weeks in the fridge.
Make the Orange Pomegranate Campari Spritz
To make the cocktail, combine the Campari, gin, pomegranate syrup, orange juice, and citric acid in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cover, and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with the Lambrusco and garnish with a slice of dried orange. Enjoy!
