How it tastes
Bitter Campari and bitter coffee in the same mouthful, but they don't fight each other. The white vermouth keeps the drink from feeling too dense. The grapefruit bitters add a high citrus note that lifts the whole thing. People who order this drink the first time often expect it to taste like a coffee Negroni. It doesn't. It tastes like a Negroni that drank an espresso. Different drink.
Why we built it
The Italian Job came out of an experiment a few years ago when we were trying to use up a bottle of Mexican-style spiced chocolate coffee that didn't have an obvious home. Pairing it with Campari turned out to be the unlock. The grapefruit bitters were a later addition that made the drink feel less heavy. It's now one of the most-ordered cocktails on quiet Tuesday evenings, when guests want something a little more interesting than a Negroni but still in the same neighbourhood. More on coffee in cocktails here.
Where to drink it
On request at Dissolved Solids in Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya. We brew the spiced coffee fresh in the morning and chill it for the evening pour. Reserve a table for the easiest seat.
Frequently asked questions
What glass is the Italian Job served in?
A chilled rocks glass over a single large ice cube. The big rock slows the dilution so the Campari and coffee don't run thin in the first ten minutes. The drink is built to develop in the glass; you should taste it differently at the first sip than at the last.
Can I substitute the Ibarra coffee?
Yes. The Ibarra style is a Mexican spiced chocolate coffee, but any strong cold-brewed coffee with cinnamon and a little cocoa added works. Cold-brewed robusta with a cracked cinnamon stick and a pinch of cocoa is the easiest home substitute. Espresso reads too bright; cold brew or sock-brewed coffee sits in the same register as the Campari.
How strong is the Italian Job?
Around 18 to 22 percent ABV in the glass after stirring and ice melt. Lower than a Negroni because the coffee and vermouth lengthen the drink. The caffeine load is real though, so this is an evening drink, not a nightcap. Built to sip slow across 25 minutes.
Where can I order an Italian Job in PJ or KL?
At Dissolved Solids in Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya (43-1 Jalan SS20/11, Tue to Sun 15:00 to 01:00, WhatsApp +60 11-4008 7607). The spiced coffee is brewed fresh in the morning and chilled for the evening pour. Also on request at Soluble Solids in SS2, Petaling Jaya (50-1 Jalan SS2/24, Wed to Sun 18:00 to 01:00, WhatsApp +60 11-1682 8651). Both bars are listed in Tatler Asia Top 20 Bars 2025/26.
What food pairs with the Italian Job?
Dark chocolate, hazelnut desserts, tiramisu, anything with cocoa and coffee already in the room. Aged hard cheeses (parmigiano, manchego). A small plate of olives and bresaola for the aperitivo register. For Malaysian context, dark Belgian-style chocolate kuih or a slice of pandan chocolate cake. The drink's bitterness wants sweetness with depth, not lightness.