Endlessly stylish, the negroni has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in recent times - and with good reason. This short, stylish cocktail - comprised of sweet vermouth, gin and bitters (almost always Campari) - is sipped across the picturesque scapes of Italy, from its native North to the sunkissed heel of lo Stivale. However, this iconic vermillion cocktail is now adored worldwide, as a classic yet fierce Apertivo that showcases the understated elegance of a drink prepared with a few high-quality ingredients and minimal intervention, yet one that yields serious results.
Legend states the Negroni is a descendant of the classic Americano cocktail (a concoction of sweet vermouth, Campari and soda water), born in Caffe Casoni, located in the Tuscan capital, Firenze - or Florence, to us Brits. Around the dawn of the roaring twenties, Florentine Count and socialite Camillo Negroni called upon his friend and resident bartender at Caffe Casoni, Fosco Scarselli, for a stronger version of his preferred libation. A simple yet effective trade of gin in place of soda water, and the Negroni was born.
As an apéritif, the Negroni is best enjoyed prior to a meal, stimulating one’s appetite with its vivifying bitterness. We recommend consuming one’s Negroni al fresco, prior to a sumptuous serving of pici al cinghiale, for instantaneous transportation to the ornate, artful streets of Florence.
Classic Negroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 25ml Campari
- 25ml Sweet Vermouth
- 25ml Gin
- Slice of Orange, to garnish
Method
- Fill a rock glass with ice. Add a single shot (25ml) each of Campari, gin and sweet vermouth.
- Mix until combined and chilled. To finish, garnish with a slice of orange.
You can also follow along as Roberta makes a Negroni in the video below.
Negroni Sbagliato Recipe
For a much-loved variation on the classic Negroni with a lighter finish, why not opt for the Negroni Sbagliato. Meaning ‘mistaken’, the Negroni Sbagliato is perhaps the happiest of accidents, supposedly born out of error, when a bartender accidentally added sparkling wine to the classic cocktail, instead of gin. Concocting a Negroni with the former results in a pleasantly light and drinkable cocktail, with less of the signature bitterness, perfect for consumption on a sunkissed afternoon in Tuscany - or anywhere, for that matter…
Ingredients
- 25ml Campari
- 25ml Sweet Vermouth
- 25ml Prosecco
- Slice of Orange, to garnish
Method
- Fill a rock glass with ice. Add a single shot (25ml) each of Campari and sweet vermouth.
- Mix until combined, then top with prosecco - you’re aiming for an equal three-part ratio here.
- Garnish with a slice of orange and enjoy!
To continue your journey through Firenze and beyond, be sure to indulge in a delicious serving of Tuscan wild boar ragù, paired with thick strands of pappardelle or pici, for the ultimate cucina rustica moment.
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