The Casa Julian: A Mexican-Italian Cocktail to Beat the Heat

Name: Casa Julian Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 oz Tequila Blanco; .75 oz cucumber juice; .75 oz simple syrup; .75 oz lemon juice; .5 oz Faccia Bruto Aperitivo; .25 oz Campari

Chef/owner Julian Media shares a cocktail recipe from his first Italian restaurant, Amarena, in Manhattan.

By Morgan Hines

11:00 AM EDT on July 18, 2024

New York City summer is in full swing — and we’ve got our eyes on the most refreshing options for summer sipping.

One of New York’s newer Italian restaurants, Amarena, has a cocktail on its menu dubbed the Casa Julian. It was crafted by Amarena chef and owner Julian Medina, who was born and raised in Mexico, lives in New York City and is a fan of Italian culture. The drink is meant to fuse Italian and Mexican spirits.

"This cocktail is inspired by two of my favorite flavors, Tequila and Campari,” Medina tells Appetito.

He breaks down the refreshing drink’s inspiration: “We add the ginger and lemon syrup for freshness and cucumber to make it light and refreshing. It is a great summer cocktail that reminds me of laughs and good company during my experiences at happy hours in Florence, Italy."

Medina’s Amarena is located on New York City’s Upper East Side and offers brunch, lunch, and dinner alongside an extensive cocktail and wine list. The Casa Julian is priced at $20 on the Amarena menu.