Negroni (Italian)

This Italian apéritif concoction is popular in the Mediterranean Riviera. According to popular belief, the Negroni was invented for the Count Camillo Negroni at Café Casoni in Florence when the Count asked for gin instead of soda water in the Americano. Designed as an aperitif, a good Negroni is the very definition of balance and simplicity, and its continued popularity comes as no surprise. This ruby red Italian charmer is popping up everywhere, having entered the mainstream in mid-2015. While the Negroni may look sweet, it’s anything but - it’s strong, bitter alcohol tastes are revered; there’s no syrup masking anything here. Drink it before a good meal, and by good we mean big, because a gin, vermouth and Campari combination would have sunk Henry VIII.

1 oz Campari (30 mL)
1 oz sweet red vermouth (30 mL)
1 oz gin (30 mL)

Garnish:
1 slice orange
1 cherry

Build as a short drink over ice and garnish with an orange slice.

If you want to impress your guests, flame a thick orange zest just after squeezing it over the drink. Drop the burnt orange into the Negroni.

Makes 1 drink.