The Negroni has long held its place as one of the most iconic cocktails in the world. With its bold blend of flavors and eye-catching ruby hue, it’s a drink that’s equal parts elegance and simplicity.
Known for its perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and herbal notes, the Negroni has won over bartenders and cocktail aficionados alike, securing a permanent spot on menus and in home bars worldwide.
A Brief History of the Negroni
The Negroni’s origin story begins in Florence, Italy, around 1919, at the bustling Café Casoni (now known as Caffè Giacosa). It’s said that Count Camillo Negroni, an Italian aristocrat, asked his bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to make his favorite cocktail, the Americano, a bit stronger.
Scarselli obliged, replacing the soda water with gin and adding an orange garnish to signal the new drink’s unique twist. The resulting cocktail quickly became popular, and patrons soon began ordering “the Count’s drink” or “Negroni.”
Over the next century, the Negroni grew in fame and became one of the most beloved cocktails worldwide, celebrated every year during Negroni Week.
Equipment for Making a Negroni
One of the reasons the Negroni is so well-loved is its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to make one at home:
- Large ice cube: A single, large cube will keep your drink cold without melting too quickly, preserving the drink’s balance.Here is some equipment you might need:
- Mixing glass: This allows you to stir and chill the cocktail without diluting it too much.
- Bar spoon: Essential for stirring and achieving the right level of dilution.
- Jigger: To measure out equal parts of each ingredient, ensuring a balanced flavor.
- Strainer: Helpful for pouring your cocktail into a glass without any ice from the mixing glass.
- Rocks glass: Traditionally, the Negroni is served in a short, wide glass over a large ice cube.
Ingredients for making the Negroni
The Negroni’s ingredients create a beautifully balanced and bold cocktail.
- Gin: The base spirit of the Negroni, gin brings botanical depth, with juniper and herbal notes that give the cocktail its refreshing and aromatic qualities.
- Sweet Vermouth: A fortified wine infused with herbs and botanicals, sweet vermouth adds subtle sweetness, rounding out the drink’s bold, bitter flavors and creating balance.
- Campari: This Italian liqueur provides the Negroni’s signature bitterness and vibrant red hue. Its complex mix of herbs and spices forms the drink’s bitter backbone, adding depth and intensity to the cocktail.
If you are in the USA, you can find a great selection at ReserveBar.com.
If you are in the UK at The Whisky Exchange.
The Negroni’s timeless appeal lies in its elegant simplicity and perfect harmony of flavors. With a little practice, you can master the art of making this iconic cocktail right at home. It’s a drink that suits any occasion—whether it’s a quiet evening in, a pre-dinner aperitivo, or a gathering of friends.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for something classic and bold, reach for the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, and let the Negroni work its magic. Cheers to a cocktail that’s stood the test of time!
Here are some variations on the Negroni:
Here is the recipe:
Negroni
Ingredients
- 1 oz London Dry Gin
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange Twist
Instructions
- Add all the spirits to an old fashioned glass filled with ice
- Stir until chilled
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and add it to the glass