What is a Negroni?

The Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail that has gained worldwide popularity due to its simple yet sophisticated taste. Made with equal parts gin, vermouth rosso, and Campari, this drink is a perfect balance of sweet and bitter flavors. It is typically served as an aperitif, to stimulate the appetite before a meal.

The Negroni has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century, when it was first created by Count Camillo Negroni in Florence, Italy.

The Count asked his bartender to make his Americano cocktail (made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water) stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. Thus, the Negroni was born. Since then, this cocktail has become a staple in bars and restaurants around the world.

Despite its simplicity, the Negroni has a complex flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

It’s bright red color and citrusy aroma make it an attractive drink, while its bitter and sweet taste make it a refreshing and satisfying choice. Whether you’re sipping it at a fancy bar or making it at home, the Negroni is a timeless classic that will never go out of style.

Origin of Negroni

The Negroni is a classic cocktail that has been around for over a century.

Its origins are not known with certainty, but the most widely reported account is that it was first mixed in Florence, Italy, in 1919, at Caffè Casoni, which was later renamed Caffè Giacosa. The bar no longer exists, and the site is now occupied by a Giorgio Armani boutique.

The drink is named after Count Camillo Negroni, a wealthy Italian who was a regular at Caffè Casoni. According to legend, he asked the bartender to make him a stronger version of his favorite cocktail, the Americano, which was made with vermouth, Campari, and soda water. The bartender replaced the soda water with gin and added an orange garnish, creating the Negroni we know today.

While the exact origins of the Negroni are unclear, it is clear that it quickly became a popular drink in Italy and beyond. It was particularly popular among expatriates and tourists in Europe during the 1920s and 1930s, and it remains a beloved classic cocktail to this day.

Ingredients of a Negroni

A Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail made of three primary ingredients: gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

It is typically served over ice and garnished with an orange peel.

Primary Ingredients

Gin

Gin is a clear, distilled spirit that is flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals. It is the base spirit in a Negroni, providing a strong and complex flavor profile that balances the other ingredients.

Campari

Campari is a bright red Italian liqueur that is made from a blend of herbs, spices, and fruit. It has a bitter and slightly sweet taste that adds depth and complexity to the Negroni.

Sweet Vermouth

Sweet vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with a blend of botanicals. It is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails, including the Negroni. It provides a sweet and slightly spicy flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Additional Ingredients

Vermouth

In addition to sweet vermouth, some Negroni recipes call for a splash of dry vermouth. Dry vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with herbs and spices, but it has a drier and less sweet flavor profile than sweet vermouth.

Ice

Ice is an essential ingredient in a Negroni, as it helps to chill and dilute the cocktail. A single large ice cube is typically used to prevent excessive dilution.

Orange Peel

An orange peel is used as a garnish for the Negroni, providing a bright and citrusy aroma that complements the flavors of the cocktail. It is typically twisted over the drink to release its oils before being added to the glass.

Liqueur

Some variations of the Negroni call for the addition of other liqueurs, such as Aperol or Cynar. These liqueurs can add additional layers of flavor and complexity to the cocktail. However, the classic Negroni recipe only includes the three primary ingredients.

Steps to Make a Negroni

Making a Negroni is a simple yet sophisticated process that requires a few essential ingredients and some basic bartending skills.

Here are the steps to make a Negroni:

1. Mix equal parts of Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. The classic Negroni recipe calls for one ounce of each ingredient, but you can adjust the proportions to suit your taste.
2. Stir the cocktail until it’s well chilled. It’s essential to stir the ingredients instead of shaking them to prevent over-dilution and to maintain the clarity of the drink.
3. Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass filled with a large ice cube. The ice cube should be big enough to chill the drink without diluting it too quickly.
4. Garnish the cocktail with an orange peel. Twist the peel over the drink to release its oils and rub it around the rim of the glass before dropping it in.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Mixing a Negroni is a simple process, but it requires some attention to detail to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Using high-quality ingredients, such as good gin and a quality sweet vermouth, is essential to create a delicious cocktail.

Stirring the ingredients with ice is crucial to chill the drink without diluting it too much. Using a large ice cube instead of several small ones also helps to maintain the drink’s flavor and aroma.

Garnishing the Negroni with an orange peel adds a touch of citrusy freshness to the drink and enhances its aroma. Twisting the peel over the drink before dropping it in releases its oils and adds a subtle flavor to the cocktail.

In summary, making a Negroni requires equal parts of Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth, stirring the ingredients with ice, straining the cocktail into a chilled glass with a large ice cube, garnishing it with an orange peel, and serving it chilled.

Variations of Negroni

Negroni is a classic cocktail that has been around for over a century. Its simple recipe of gin, Campari, and vermouth has become a staple in bars around the world.

However, over the years, bartenders have experimented with different ingredients to create new variations of the Negroni. Here are some popular Negroni variations:

Negroni Sbagliato

Negroni Sbagliato is a Negroni with a twist. Instead of gin, it uses Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine. The story goes that a bartender accidentally grabbed a bottle of Prosecco instead of gin while making a Negroni, and the Negroni Sbagliato was born. The result is a lighter and bubblier version of the classic Negroni.

Boulevardier

Boulevardier is a Negroni variation that swaps gin for bourbon. It also uses sweet vermouth instead of dry vermouth, giving it a richer and sweeter taste. This cocktail was invented in the 1920s by an American bartender named Harry McElhone, who was working in Paris at the time. The name Boulevardier comes from a French word that means “man about town.

White Negroni

White Negroni is a Negroni variation that uses Suze, a French liqueur made from gentian root, instead of Campari. It also uses Lillet Blanc, a French aperitif wine, instead of sweet vermouth. The result is a lighter and more floral version of the classic Negroni. This cocktail was invented by a bartender named Wayne Collins in London in the early 2000s.

These are just a few of the many Negroni variations out there. Other variations include using vodka, rum, mezcal, rye, or even white port instead of gin. Bartenders have also experimented with different types of vermouth, such as Punt e Mes or Cocchi Americano, to create unique flavors. The possibilities are endless when it comes to Negroni variations, and it’s always exciting to try something new.