By Stefanie Michaels
The Negroni cocktail was invented in the early 20th century by Count Camillo Negroni, a regular customer at Caffè Casoni in Florence, Italy. According to legend, the Count asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to make a stronger version of his usual Americano cocktail by replacing the soda water with gin. Scarselli obliged, and the Negroni was born. Some reports say that the drink was first served in 1919.
The recipe quickly became popular and soon spread beyond Florence. Today, the Negroni is considered a classic cocktail and enjoyed worldwide. It’s a very versatile drink, and many variations of it have been created, like the White Negroni (made with gin, Suze, and Cocchi Americano) or the Boulevardier (made with bourbon or rye instead of gin).
To make a classic Negroni, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange peel, for garnish
Let’s Do this…
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- Stir until well chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
A Negroni is traditionally served in an Old Fashioned glass, also known as a lowball glass. This type of glass has a wide brim and a heavy base, making it perfect for holding the ice to keep the drink chilled. The wide opening also allows the drinker to enjoy the cocktail’s aroma before taking a sip. A rocks glass can also be used, it’s a bit smaller, and it’s often used to serve short drinks with ice.
TIP: Adjust the ratios of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari to taste. Some people prefer a stronger gin flavor, while others prefer a more pronounced bitter flavor from the Campari. Experiment to find your perfect balance.
