Eeyore's Requiem

Eeyore's Requiem is a cocktail for lovers of bittersweet and herbal flavors. Created by bartender Toby Maloney, it combines a surprising number of assertive ingredients—Campari, gin, Cynar, Fernet-Branca, and bianco vermouth—into a remarkably balanced and intriguing whole. With bright orange notes and a deeply complex bitter backbone, it is a challenging yet rewarding drink that showcases the art of modern mixology.
Eeyore's Requiem

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

Eeyore's Requiem is a modern classic cocktail, categorized as a complex, spirit-forward drink. It is appreciated for its intricate blend of bitter, herbal, and citrus notes, placing it firmly in the craft cocktail sphere.

Serving

Served cold and straight up in a chilled coupe glass, this is a potent, spirit-forward cocktail with a high alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created in 2008 by Toby Maloney at The Violet Hour in Chicago, the drink's name is a nod to the melancholic donkey from Winnie-the-Pooh. The name reflects its bittersweet, somewhat "sad" flavor profile, a lament composed of bitter Italian liqueurs. It quickly gained a cult following among cocktail enthusiasts for its audacious and perfectly balanced complexity.
Origin
Chicago, USA, 2008.

Eeyore's Requiem

The drink is consistently known by its original name, "Eeyore's Requiem," and does not have any widely recognized alternative names.
Original name
Eeyore's Requiem

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a complex symphony of bittersweet, herbal, and citrus flavors with a cooling menthol aroma. Its taste is dominated by a bitter-sweet balance, leading to a long, complex, and herbal aftertaste.
Flavor
bittersweet, herbal, complex, citrusy, orange, menthol, bitter-orange, vegetal, medicinal
Aroma
herbal, citrus peel, menthol, botanical, bittersweet
Taste balance
bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
long, bitter, herbal, cooling, complex
Fizziness
none
Color appearance
deep ruby, reddish-brown, clear
Texture
smooth, medium-bodied
Seasonality
all-season, refreshing yet complex

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely bitter and herbal, with moderate alcohol strength and a low sweetness level. It is a bold, complex drink with no carbonation or creaminess.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This complex cocktail requires six key ingredients: a base of Campari, supported by gin, Cynar, Fernet-Branca, bianco vermouth, and orange bitters.
  • Campari45 ml / 1.5 oz
    Forms the bittersweet backbone of the drink.
  • London Dry Gin15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A classic botanical gin works best.
  • Cynar15 ml / 0.5 oz
    An artichoke-based amaro that adds vegetal bitterness.
  • Bianco Vermouth7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Adds sweetness and floral notes to balance the bitters.
  • Fernet-Branca7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Provides a strong menthol and herbal kick.
  • Orange Bitters3 dashes
    Enhances the citrus notes.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, a jigger for precise measurements, and both Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainers.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainers

Instructions

To prepare, chill a coupe glass, then shake all ingredients with ice until cold. Double-strain into the prepared glass and garnish with an expressed orange peel.
1. Chill your coupe glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice and water.
2. Combine all liquid ingredients (Campari, gin, Cynar, bianco vermouth, Fernet-Branca, and orange bitters) in a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your coupe glass if used.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled coupe glass.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink, and squeeze it to express the oils onto the surface.
8. Drop the peel into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The cocktail is garnished with an orange peel twist, which should be expressed over the surface of the drink to release its aromatic oils.
  • Orange peel twist, expressed over the drink and dropped in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic but free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric drink, around 210 kcal, with its calories primarily coming from alcohol and the sugar content of the liqueurs and vermouth.
Calories
Approximately 200-220 kcal / 837-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is a sophisticated sipping cocktail, perfect as an aperitif to stimulate the palate before a meal. It's also an excellent choice for a cocktail party where guests appreciate complex, spirit-forward drinks.
  • Aperitif
  • Sophisticated Sipping
  • Cocktail Party

Pairing suggestions

The drink's bittersweet profile pairs wonderfully with salty and savory foods like charcuterie, olives, and aged cheeses. It can also complement the richness of dark chocolate for a post-dinner treat.
  • Salty snacks like olives and cured meats
  • Rich cheeses
  • Dark chocolate

Eeyore's Requiem: A Symphony of Bittersweet Complexity

The Eeyore's Requiem is a bold and sophisticated modern cocktail that is not for the faint of heart. Its intricate recipe masterfully balances five different bitter, herbal, and botanical spirits, creating a surprisingly cohesive and delicious drink. While its flavor profile is challenging, with dominant notes of bitter orange and menthol, it offers a deeply rewarding experience for adventurous palates. It stands as a testament to modern mixology, perfect for sipping slowly as an aperitif.

Similar cocktails

Negroni

A much simpler classic with a similar Campari base, but only uses gin and sweet vermouth.

Hanky Panky

Another gin and vermouth classic that gets its unique herbal kick from Fernet-Branca, but lacks the other bitter liqueurs.

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