Pampelle Ruby l'Apero

I'm a sucker for anything which gives grapefruit bitterness without sweetening it too much (or at all!) and this does just that. Works as an aperitif over ice (try shaking hard with a touch of lemon over small / crushed ice and serving in Martini glass), in a variant on the negroni, or with soda water.

Appearance: Bright amber/red. Aroma: Crisp sweet citrus with a bitter quality. It most definitely smells of grapefruit. Flavour and Texture (neat): Sweet with restrained citrus flavours. Quite gentle and with a tangello or orange quality. As it sits in the mouth, and particularly as you swallow, grapefruit becomes dominant. It has a restrained bitter quality and the texture is neutral. This is a fairly new apero, I believe. The main ingredient is ruby grapefruit and it does very much taste and smell of that fruit. It is easy to drink and has a mild and agreeable character. There is a light bitterness but it is not much more than that of a sweet grapefruit. I think there is also some herbal bitterness but I doubt they use wormwood - it is not that intense. It's probably gentian. You can enjoy this lightly chilled from the fridge, or over ice, or with a mixer. However I suspect it would be quickly lost in a cocktail with heavier flavours. I was enjoying my neat tasting sample so much I finished it off before trying it with any mixers. What a shame, I had to pour another. It's very refreshing with soda and a slice of citrus, and also works with sparkling lemonade. I suspect it would team spectacularly with brut or even a very pale and delicate Provençal rosé. Oh! I bet it goes with gin ... one minute ... yes! it does: Ice, 1 part gin, 2 parts Pampelle, top up with tonic and garnish with a slice of lime. Excellent! It's similar to Aperol, but more demure and restrained. It's not expensive and if you enjoy Aperol it is well worth trying as a change - you won't be disappointed. "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars)