red masta
Red Masta is a quick, fruity cocktail combining guava, cherry and papaya juices with gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. Crushed ice chills it and makes it easy to stir together.
Ingredients
- 80 mlguava juice
- 60 mlcherry juice
- 30 mlpapaya juice
- 30 mlgin
- 30 mlCampari
- 30 mlrosso vermouth
- to tastecrushed ice
Instructions
- 1
Pour the liquids
Pour all the liquid ingredients into a glass, using equal measures of gin, Campari and rosso vermouth (a 1:1:1 ratio).
- 2
Add crushed ice
Add crushed ice and stir briefly.
What is Red Masta?
Red Masta is a fruit-juice cocktail with gin, Campari and rosso vermouth. The recipe is an informal, made-up creation rather than a traditional drink with a defined origin.
Its three juices provide a sweet, fruity base, while the equal measures of the spirits bring herbal, bitter and spiced notes. Crushed ice cools the mix and helps make this a particularly quick drink to assemble.
Nutrition and macros by portion
The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 225 calories, 0g protein, 24g carbs, 0g fat.
| Portion | Adjustment | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lighter | Use less juice | 158 kcal | 0g | 17g | 0g |
| This serving | As written | 225 kcal | 0g | 24g | 0g |
| Hungry | Serve with savoury bites | 338 kcal | 0g | 36g | 0g |
The juices provide most of the carbohydrates and sugars, while the gin, Campari and vermouth contribute most of the energy from alcohol; fat and protein are negligible. Pair the cocktail with a savoury, protein-rich bite and water for a more balanced occasion.
The fruit juice base
Guava juice: this is the largest juice measure and gives the cocktail its tropical backbone.
Cherry and papaya: smaller amounts add tart, sweet fruit flavours alongside the guava. Use juices you enjoy drinking on their own, since their flavour carries through the finished cocktail.
Keep the spirit ratio even
Equal measures: pour 30 ml each of gin, Campari and rosso vermouth. Measuring them separately keeps the intended 1:1:1 balance.
The fruit juices are not equal measures: follow their stated amounts rather than adjusting them to match the spirits.
Crushed ice matters
Crushed ice: the recipe calls for an ice crusher, and the small pieces chill the drink quickly. Add enough to suit your glass, then give the cocktail a short stir.
Avoid stirring for a long time, which can dilute the juice-and-spirit mixture as the ice melts.
Serve it freshly mixed
This drink takes about three minutes to put together, so there is little advantage to mixing it ahead. Stir it just before serving while the crushed ice is still cold.
Serve in a glass that can hold the liquid and ice together without spilling during stirring.
What to serve alongside
The drink's fruity sweetness and bitter aperitif notes work well with salty nibbles such as olives or salted nuts. Keep the accompanying food simple so it does not overwhelm the cocktail.
For a more filling spread, serve it with small savoury bites rather than treating the drink as a meal.
Recipe notes & tips
- Measure each spirit separately to keep the 1:1:1 ratio.
- Chill the juices before mixing for a colder drink.
- Use an ice crusher to prepare the crushed ice called for in the recipe.
- Stir briefly after adding the ice so the drink stays chilled without becoming overly diluted.
- Taste the juices beforehand, as their sweetness and tartness shape the cocktail.
Variations
- More guava: Increase the guava juice for a stronger tropical fruit flavour.
- Tart cherry: Choose a sharper cherry juice for a less sweet-tasting mix.
- Less bitter: Reduce the Campari slightly, while keeping the other spirit measures unchanged.
- No crusher: Use crushed ice from a shop if you do not have an ice crusher.
- Extra cold: Chill the glass before pouring in the ingredients.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Uneven spirit measures: Use 30 ml each of gin, Campari and rosso vermouth.
- Using whole ice cubes: Crush the ice as the recipe calls for so it can be stirred through the drink.
- Adding too much ice: Leave room in the glass for the liquid and stirring.
- Over-stirring: Stir briefly to limit dilution from melting ice.
- Changing the juice amounts: Keep the 80 ml, 60 ml and 30 ml measures for the intended fruit balance.
How to store
This cocktail is best mixed and served straight away, with the crushed ice added just before serving. If needed, keep the juice and spirit mixture covered in the fridge briefly, then add fresh crushed ice and stir when ready to serve.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ice crusher?
The recipe calls for crushed ice and says an ice crusher is needed. You can use ready-crushed ice if you do not have one.
Are all the ingredients in equal amounts?
Only the gin, Campari and rosso vermouth are measured equally, at 30 ml each. The juices have their own amounts.
Can I prepare Red Masta ahead?
You can measure and combine the liquid ingredients shortly beforehand, but add the crushed ice and stir just before serving.
Can I use a different cherry juice?
Yes. Choose a cherry juice you like, bearing in mind that sweeter or tarter juice will change the finished drink's balance.
What is rosso vermouth?
It is a red, sweet style of vermouth. Use rosso vermouth for the flavour intended in this recipe.
Cook it from the original
This recipe comes from cocktailforum.de. Their page has the author’s own photos, notes and tips — the best place to cook it from.
Open the recipe on cocktailforum.de