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Ask a bartender for their top five favorite drinks, and you will likely find Negroni on the list for good reason. This Italian cocktail captivates with its unique taste and simplicity, consisting of just three ingredients, which makes it easy to prepare at home. The drink achieves a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness, traditionally stirred and served over ice with an orange peel garnish. Originating in early 20th century Florence, the Negroni has become a favorite in high-end bars and home gatherings alike.
The Negroni cocktail boasts a fascinating history that traces back to the early 20th century in Florence, Italy. In 1919, Count Camillo Negroni requested bartender Fosco Scarselli at Caffè Casoni to replace soda water in his Americano with gin, resulting in a bolder cocktail named after him. Made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, the classic Negroni typically features an orange peel garnish. Over the years, it has inspired variations like the Negroni Sbagliato, which utilizes Prosecco, and the White Negroni, which substitutes Lillet Blanc and Suze for sweet vermouth. It’s a timeless favorite among cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.
Ingredients
Making a Negroni is quite simple and only requires three main ingredients. Gin, Sweet Vermouth and Campari.
Gin
For gin you want something botanical forward that won’t be washed away by the strong flavours of Campari and Vermouth. A London dry is always a good place to start. I recommend using:
If you are feeling adventurous you could try a hearty blood orange gin or Four Pillars (an Australian gin company) do a Shiraz gin that adds an extra bit of sweetness. However, I would generally advise not to go for a flavour gin but instead a strong, crisp, clean one to make the best Negroni.
Campari
Next you need some flavour. Campari is an Italian aperitif that is bitter in flavour and bright red in colour. The liqueur is made with bitter orange, herbs and spices with a really distinct flavour. There is no substitution for Campari so make sure you grab a bottle before you start.
Sweet Vermouth
The final ingredient for this wonderful drink is Sweet Vermouth. Vermouth is a fortified wine that has been aromatised by botanicals. Similar to gin. Vermouth started out as a medicinal tonic in France and Italy in the 18th century, before becoming a popular beverage. Sweet Vermouth helps add depth, flavour and complexity whenever it is added to a drink. As the name suggests it adds that distinct sweet finish to a Negroni. I recommend using:
Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Rocks Glass
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Bar Spoon
- Ice
Ingredients
- 25 ml Dry Gin
- 25 ml Campari
- 25 ml Sweet Vermouth
- 1 Orange Peel
Instructions
- Start by gathering all of your equipment and ingredients. Make sure you mixing glass is chilled to slow down dilution!
- Place 25 ml Dry Gin, 25 ml Campari and 25 ml Sweet Vermouth into your mixing glass.
- Add ice. Enough so that the mixing glass is 2/3 full.
- Gently stir all your ingredients together for about 10 seconds. Be careful not to break the ice.
- Fill your rocks glass with cubed ice. – If you want to get fancy you could use one large ice cube.
- Use your hawthorn strainer to strain the liquid from the mixing glass into the rocks glass.
- Use 1 Orange Peel to garnish. Rub the orange peel around the rim of the glass to enhance the citrusy aroma.
- Thats it! You now know how to make a bartender's favourite drink. Is it your favourite now too?
Now you know how to make it, you can add this to your cocktail collection for whenever you like. In Italy, the Negroni is enjoyed during aperitivo hour, a pre-dinner ritual where friends gather for drinks and light snacks, stimulating the appetite before a meal. Negronis are perfect for social gatherings, whether hosting a dinner party or attending an event, impressing guests and adding elegance. If you are looking for something more festive check out my Christmas cocktail. Personally, I enjoy my Negronis after work, as some of my best memories are with friends and colleagues debriefing over a Negroni after a tough shift.
Well, what are you waiting for? Go and give it a try!!!
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