In celebration of Negroni Week, we take a look at a different negroni recipe you can make for each day – yum
In its simplest form, a Negroni is made by pouring equal parts gin, vermouth and Campari over ice and garnishing with orange. But just as the history of the cocktail varies depending on who’s telling it, so too does the cocktail change to match different flavours and occasions.
Here are seven fresh ways of making a Negroni – one to try each day during Negroni Week 2020, from September 14 to 20.
Let’s start with the classic. While at a café in Florence in 1919, Count Camillo Negroni is said to have asked for his Americano (sweet vermouth, Campari, soda and a lemon wedge) to be made stronger. When bartender Fosco Scarselli swapped soda water for gin and a lemon wedge for orange, the Negroni was born.
Go back to basics with equal parts Campari and Cinzano Sweet Vermouth, and a splash of Capi Soda. Garnish the glass with an orange wedge.
Forty years before Count Negroni called his bartender over to the table, William “Sparrow” Robertson was a regular at Harry’s New York Bar (which, despite the name, was in Paris). His drink of choice was clearly reminiscent of the Negroni, with one key smoky difference. The Old Pal consists of equal parts rye whisky, Campari and dry vermouth.
Chill a champagne coupe then stir equal parts Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Cinzano Bianco Vermouth and Campari with ice. Strain it into the flute and garnish with an orange peel.
Now we know the Negroni basics, it’s time to tear them apart and get creative, starting with the Negroni Sbagliato. It translates into English as “broken” or “mistaken” Negroni and swaps out the classic gin for sparkling wine. We’ve gone with prosecco, but your favourite brut would work just as well.
Stir equal parts Belsazar Dry Vermouth and Campari with ice in an old fashioned glass, and top it up with an equal part of Cinta Prosecco. Garnish with a wedge of orange.
At the half-way point of the week, it’s time to take start pacing yourself. Which is why we’re going for a blend of floral and bitter aperitifs, with non-alcoholic gin.
In a rocks glass, stir equal parts Aperol, Lillet Blanc and Seedlip Grove 42 with a large block of ice. Garnish with a twist of grapefruit for a little extra zing.
Say saluté to the weekend with this marriage of the Negroni and the espresso martini.
Add half a shot of cold espresso into a mixing glass with ice and the Negroni fundamentals: a shot each of Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth and Campari. Stir until the mix is chilled and a little diluted, then strain it into a rocks glass.
Sometimes playfully referred to as the “Tegroni”, the Agavoni is a remix of the classic Negroni. It sees the addition of bitters and the introduction of tequila (in the place of gin) for a cocktail that’s bright, citrusy and perfect for spring.
In an old fashioned glass, stir together equal parts Patron Silver Tequila, Vermouth and Campari with ice and two dashes of bitters. Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit
What better way to celebrate Negroni Week than with a group celebration? This recipe is perfect for sharing and will win over new fans with its zesty take on the cocktail.
In a one-litre bottle, combine 250mL each of Gordons Sicilian Lemon Gin, Campari, Cinzano Sweet Vermouth and water. Pop the mixture it in the freezer for an hour. Serve between 10 glasses, each with an ice cube and a lemon slice. Ciao!