Casual Friday: Bourbon Campari Punch (aka CamParty Punch)

It’s casual Friday, people! You know the drill. We’re gonna talk booze, then we’re gonna waste time on the internets. Let’s do this.

First things first, Bourbon Campari Punch. I don’t think I could be any more excited about this extraordinarily boozy batch cocktail. I know Campari is divisive—the slightly bitter infused liqueur isn’t for everyone—but I’m a die-hard fan, especially during the summer months. In fact, Campari and soda is my go-to weekend aperitif. It’s light and refreshing, and it always makes me feel like I’m on a sexy Eurotrip, which I obviously appreciate.

Last August, I had my first Boulevardier, which is essentially a Negroni with bourbon instead of gin, and I instantly fell in love with the heady flavor combo. I created this c-tail with the Boulevardier base in mind, dressing it up with freshly squeezed orange juice, grilled orange rounds, and just enough club soda to give it a little sparkle. The resulting punch is boozy, bittersweet heaven, and the smoky grilled oranges give this pitcher-perfect cocktail some serious summer flair. You’re gonna want to work it into your warm weather rotation, stat. (Grilled fruit is always a crowd-pleaser/compliment magnet.)

Just a heads up, this recipe falls very much in the panty-dropping punch category—it is sneaky strong. Hence the stage name “CamParty Punch.” Proceed with caution. Or don’t.

You do you.

Moving on to light musings and internet things!

I went to Emmy Squared (an offshoot of the famed Pizza Loves Emily) a few No-Cal Sundays ago, and the square pizza 100% blew. my. mind. The crust was somehow crispy, chewy and fluffy, and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. If you’re in the New York area, get thee to Williamsburg ASAP. Go at 5pm (Logan and I were the first ones there at 4:59, and it was legit slammed by 5:15), wear something forgiving, and thank me later.

UGH, Bieber. The Biebs broke my heart with his BS performance a few weeks ago and is now doing weird shit in public again. He appears to be headed for a Britney-esque meltdown, and I’m sad, yet somewhat excited to see how it plays out? (I’m a terrible person.)

This is the greatest Yelp restaurant feud eva.

Holy crap! I knew hoarding my Juicy jumpsuits would pay off one day. I’m going to look so fetch this fall without spending a dime.

The Outlander series is on my summer reading list, along with Me Before You (I want to see the movie, but I like to cry in private) and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (DUH). But if you have any other must-reads, please share.

I’m pretty pumped about the new Andy Samberg/Judd Apatow mockumentary, Popstar. “If you want to be successful, work hard. And most important, try to be born with it.” #neverstopneverstopping (p.s. If you didn’t see last summer’s Seven Days in Hell, I highly recommend. It’s stupid, but also amazing.)

As per usual, I’m overwhelmed by all the deliciousness that I want to make/eat from the interwebs this month. The following are currently at the top of my shortlist…

It’s unclear why I haven’t grilled bacon before, but it will definitely be happening ASAP. I imagine my roommate will be pleased.

Adrianna’s Honeycomb Sugar Doughnuts are my fantasy pastry. I will most likely never make them (you know I fear the deep-fry), but a girl can dream.

This Scallop, Orange and Cucumber Salad is my ideal summer meal. With really, really cold white wine.

Alexandra is the master of simple, yet insanely flavorful meals, and these Steak Tacos with Grilled Poblano Salad and Cotija Cheese are just that. Thinking these would also be bomb in Quesadilla form with a blend of Oaxaca and Cotija. Just throwing that out there…

While the mere mention of potato salad usually makes me squirmy due to the devil’s condiment mayo factor, this Grilled Potato Salad with Scallion Vinaigrette sounds absolutely delightful. I like the idea of serving it for brunch with fried eggs and some of the aforementioned grilled bacon.

The quinoa crust on this really, really, ridiculously good-looking Quinoa Pizza with Meyer Lemon, Goat Cheese, and Basil intrigues me. I’m skeptical that a blend of soaked quinoa, water and salt can produce a good pizza crust, but I’m willing to give it a try. God knows I love me an excuse to purge my quinoa stash.

It’s officially galette season, peeps. I want to have an outdoor dinner party with long tables and fairy lights and serve individual Peach and Cherry Galettes to my best friends. Preferably while drinking rosé champagne in some sort of white linen ensemble. (I take pride in my extremely detailed fantasy life.)

Sangria Granita Snow Cones. Yes, yes, YASSS. These appeal to me mostly because I like to stay cool and slightly tipsy during the summer months. I have already ordered cone cups on Amazon.

Have a fabulous weekend, friends and lovahhhs. I hope you get Camparty Punch drunk and do something festive!

Bourbon Campari Punch (AKA CamParty Punch)

Author - Serena Wolf

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Yields: 1 pitcher; 8 cocktails

Ingredients

• 2 oranges sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 2 cups Campari
• 2 cups bourbon
• 2½ cups fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1-1½ cups club soda
• Ice

Instructions

• Pre-heat a grill or grill pan over high heat. When hot, add the orange rounds, and grill for about 1 minute on each side until some nice grill marks appear. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Leave half of the rounds intact, and slice the rest in half.
• In a pitcher, combine the Campari, bourbon and orange juice. Add half of the cooled orange rounds. (At this point, you can pop the punch into the fridge until ready to serve.)
• When ready to serve, add the club soda and ice to the pitcher OR pour the punch into glasses with ice and top each with soda to taste.
• Garnish each glass with a grilled orange half (or two) and drink up!