A Historical Perspective
The Negroni cocktail traces its roots back to 1919 in Florence, Italy, where it was invented by Count Camillo Negroni at Caffè Casoni. Seeking a stronger version of the Americano cocktail, Negroni asked bartender Fosco Scarselli to substitute gin for soda. This new concoction, garnished with an orange slice instead of lemon, quickly gained popularity. The Negroni family later established the Negroni Distillery, producing a pre-mixed version known as "Antico Negroni 1919".
Caffè Casoni 1991 by Bitter Booze
The Classic Recipe
A traditional Negroni comprises three equal parts:
Gin
Campari
Sweet Red Vermouth
To prepare:
Combine 30 milliliters each of gin, Campari, and vermouth in a chilled glass with a large ice cube. Stir well and garnish with an orange peel, squeezing it to release essential oils into the drink.
Negroni by Cocktail Club
Variations of the Negroni
The Negroni has inspired numerous variations:
Americano: Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda.
Boulevardier: Replaces gin with whiskey.
Old Pal: Uses dry vermouth and Canadian rye whiskey.
Agavoni: Substitutes tequila for gin.
Negroni Sbagliato: Uses sparkling wine instead of gin.
White Negroni: Made with gin, Lillet Blanc, and Suze.
The ultimate summer drink
The Negroni is celebrated as the ultimate summer drink, and it's easy to understand why when you consider its story. Picture a warm summer evening, the sun setting, casting a golden glow over everything. Friends gather on a terrace, the air filled with laughter and the faint hum of cicadas. Someone reaches for a bottle of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, ready to craft a drink that captures the essence of summer.
Negroni by Matt Hranek
As the ingredients are mixed, the rich red hue of the Negroni sparkles in the sunlight. The aroma is tantalizing, a blend of botanicals and citrus that hints at the refreshment to come. The first sip reveals a perfect balance: the initial sweetness of the vermouth, quickly followed by the sharp, invigorating bitterness of Campari, all underpinned by the crisp, clean notes of gin. It's a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate, each one enhancing the other.
The bitterness of Campari, often overlooked in favor of sweeter options, proves to be the Negroni’s secret weapon. It’s this bitterness that makes it so refreshing, cutting through the heat and offering a reprieve from the sun. It's a complexity that invites you to take another sip, to savor the interplay of flavors.
"Love affair with the Negroni"
In Matt Hranek's book, "A Man & His Car: Iconic Cars and Stories from the Men Who Love Them," he dedicates a delightful chapter to his love affair with the Negroni, revealing the deep connection between this iconic cocktail and the summer moments that define our lives. Hranek's narrative takes us through his personal journey, uncovering how the Negroni became more than just a drink for him—it evolved into a ritual, a symbol of relaxation and celebration.
The Negroni: A love affair with a classic cocktail by Matt Hranek
In essence, Hranek's "love affair with the Negroni" is a testament to why this cocktail reigns supreme in the summer. It’s more than just a drink; it’s a bridge to memories, a companion in relaxation, and a symbol of the season’s pleasures. Through his experiences and reflections, we see how the Negroni can capture the spirit of summer, making it the ultimate drink to savor when the days are long and the nights are warm.
The Negroni isn’t just a drink; it's a statement. It’s the choice of those who appreciate the finer things, who savor complexity and elegance. In the company of friends, with the evening stretching ahead full of promise, the Negroni becomes more than a cocktail—it’s a symbol of summer itself, a blend of joy, refreshment, and style.
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