Friday, August 18, 2006

Negroni

I am a Campari nut. Lately, I've been drinking it mixed with Perrier, a splash of Cointreau, and a nice, big sqeeze of lime. It's my own personal summer drink, this year. (Feel free to try it at home!)

Given that, I am excited to share this classic cocktail, the Negroni, with The Liquid Muse community! I'm especially happy that this recipe comes from San Francisco- based Mixologist, Jacques Bezuidenhout (who also designed Urbana's cocktail menu).

(Aside: I plan to interview Jacques in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for his profile here, soon!)

From Jacques:

Negroni
1 1/4 oz. Gin
1 1/4 oz. Campari
1 1/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth

Pour all ingredients over ice into a mixing glass. STIR the drink and strain into a cocktail glass. This drink is also widely served on the rocks. If so, then stir and strain over fresh ice into an Old-fashioned glass.

Garnish: Orange Twist. Orange works really well with Campari and really finishes off the drink. Lemon does not do the drink justice.

Tasting Notes: A classic full-bodied Aperitif. The addition of Gin adds a nice kick to this classic. The story goes that in the 1930’s Count Camillo Negroni haunted the CafĂ©’s of Florence asking for his Americano with an extra kick. He asked the bartenders to leave out the soda and add some gin. The cocktail became known as the Negroni.

Jacques says, "In my opinion this is one the best Aperitif cocktails. It is wonderful before a big dinner. It relaxes you from the day’s stresses and readies you for the wonderful meal ahead. This is not a drink to recommend for first time Campari drinkers or the faint of heart."

4 comments:

jimmyp said...

Are you saying Jaques invented the negroni? Or he introduced it to you?

natalie@theliquidmuse.com said...

Neither.

I'm sharing his recipe. ie: the way he makes them.

This is a classic drink - been around for ages. I've been wanting to do a write up on the histories of a few "classic drinks"... maybe its time I get on that!

Alison Santighian said...

Mmm, mmm, mmm. Campari is my summer favorite. For me it's nostalgic (I learned to drink it as an 18-year-old exchange student in Austria, thinking I was terribly grown up), bitter, tart, refreshing, and the clincher - different. I'm a fan of Campari & soda, and I love a Campari Orange w/ a splash of soda (gotta have the bubbles). Though I do have to order it here as Campari (huh? what? asks the bartender) & orange juice with a splash of soda. Depresses me every time I get the blank stare.

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