Yes. This drink is named after Beyonce. Because, after the release of her latest album and it’s popularity (I’m a fan), how can you say “watermelon” in your own voice? She has forever changed the diction of “watermelon”!  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you must be living under a rock. If you really don’t know, listen to “Drunk In Love”. Such a great title for a cocktail blog! This Sunday sip is dedicated to KingBey!

Yonce:

1oz. Watermelon Syrup

1/2oz. Cappelletti

1/2oz. Lime Juice

1 1/2oz. Tequila

*For Watermelon Syrup:

1 Cup strained Watermelon juice

1/4-1/2 Cup Sugar (Depending on sweetness of watermelon. Add sugar to taste.)

This is a “cold” syrup. After watermelon juice is strained, add sugar, shake  (In a container) and let the mixture sit to incorporate. Refrigerate.

*Add all ingredients to shaker. Fill with ice, shake and strain into coupe glass or over fresh ice. Garnish with lime twist or peel. Cheers!

What is Cappelletti? Cappelletti, like many italian liqueres is a bitter aperitivo. Let’s start with Campari, one of the more popular red hued bitter aperitifs. Around $30 (NC), the aperitif is quite powerful and can be an acquired taste for many. It’s well known in the Negroni and Boulevardier cocktails. Campari is very grapefruit foward but, not in a juicy ruby red way. Think of the smell of the oils that are released when you zest a grapefruit. A blend of herbs and spices with strong bitter citrus notes, you’ll know when Campari is in your cocktail. Try the Americano to build your palate up for Campari.

Aperol (also part of the Campari Group) is another popular bitter spirit. Around $21 (NC) the orange hued aperitif has more of a citrus burst than Campari. While still bitter, Aperol has more sweetness than Campari and more of a freshly zested orange flavor. The two are slightly similar but I don’t reccomend substituting one for the other in recipes. You’ll have totally different cocktails. The famous brunch staple for Aperol is the Aperol Spritz. They’ve even had an Instagram video contest to find Aperol fans who’ll “do brunch” and have an Aperol Spritz; the Aperol Brunch Society! Cool, right?

Cappelletti around $19 (New Orleans, La. Because we don’t have the good stuff in NC) is more bitter than Aperol but not quite as biting as Campari. It has a foward citrus flavor with some sweetness, not as much as Aperol, with a dry and almost smokey finish. It can be served in similar fashion to the Aperol Spritz and the Americano. I love it here in this cocktail. The suddle bitterness works well with the watermelon syrup. Fairly new to the American market (last summer) Cappelletti is closer to a substitution for Campari than Aperol. Taste them all for yourself and play around with some Negroni variations. Give your next Cosmo or Mai Ti some bite. Get to know bitter!