If one’s cocktail choice can truly exude an aura of class and sophistication then that drink is a Negroni. It’s an easy drink to overlook because all of it’s ingredients are simple and quite easy to procure. Even though the execution is one, two, three the bottles that one chooses can either make a Negroni a fair to good cocktail or an excellent one.

The first ingredient, which really shouldn’t be  toyed with is Campari. Campari is an indispensable Italian bitter that openly showcases notes of bitter orange peel and rhubarb amongst other herbs and aromatics. If you find Campari too offensive than my first recommendation would be to build an appreciation for it by trying it on the rocks with soda. If that doesn’t work my second try substituting  to Aperol, another Italian bitter which is basically like Campari’s less pronounced cousin. Next you will have to pick a sweet vermouth and there are many choices and few ways to get this part of the drink wrong. If you really want to let a top quality red vermouth steal the show than you should choose either Carpano Antica (far and away the finest sweet vermouth in the world) or Vya’s offering which is produced in California and uses both exceptional wine and botanicals to achieve a truly special aperitif. When I make a Negroni I don’t want any of the ingredient to steal the show, I prefer a balanced drink. I recommend either using Dolin’s, or Noily Prat’s red vermouth. Both are excellent and will stand out in your drink without trying to be the cocktail equivalent of a mob boss. As far as the gin goes, I like a London dry gin and while I believe Plymouth works best you can easily switch to Beefeater and Tanqueray without lowering the integrity of the cocktail. Finally you’ll want either an orange twist or nice piece of rind (minus the pith of course) to rub around the edge of the glass so that the peel’s essential oils give off a  subtle aroma and sensation every time you take a sip. This drink can either be served up in a cocktail glass or as I prefer on the rocks in a low ball glass.

The Negroni

1 oz gin

1 oz Campari

3/4 ounce sweet vermouth.

1 orange peel or twist

Build the drink in an ice filled rocks glass and give a stir after each component is added. Top off with more fresh ice and then rub the orange peel around the edge of the glass. Drop it in and enjoy!

Filed under: Booze, Uncategorized Tagged: | Aperol, Beefeater gin, California, Campari, Carpano antica, Dolin's, Noily Prat, orange twist, Plymouth Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Tanqueray Gin, The Negroni, Vya Vermouth