It’s been a rainy week in Southern California, and that got me in the mood for a soothing cocktail this week. Not overly sweet or citrusy, the Negroni was calling my name.
The best part of the Negroni is how simple it is to make. In two minutes flat, you’ll have yourself an earthy, herbaceous cocktail perfect for sipping on a rainy winter night.
The Negroni ingredients:
Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. And an orange for garnish. That’s it!
How to make a Negroni:
In a chilled glass, combine equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. Mix to combine and add one large oversized ice cube (too many small ice cubes will dilute the cocktail faster). Garnish with an orange slice and serve. Sip immediately!
Negroni’s flavor:
While the vermouth brings a touch of sweetness to the mix, you’ll be left with herbal flavors from the Campari and vermouth on your tongue as you take each sip. This may sound strange for a cocktail, but I find it to be a very comforting sensation that warms you up from the inside out. Serve a Negroni to a sipper with a mature palate, or one that prefers their drinks with more savory characteristics.
Fun facts!
As I mentioned, the Campari is a characteristically herbal aperitif due to the infusion of fruits and herbs during the distillation process. Rumor has it that only one single person—the Campari factory director—knows what combination of herbs goes into making Campari! If you’re looking for other ways to incorporate Campari into your cocktails, check out my post about the Italian Spritz cocktail here!
Vermouth is a type of fortified wine, and comes in two versions: sweet or dry. Each have different uses for cocktails. Sweet vermouth is attributed to Italian tradition, and dry vermouth is said to be of French origin (despite the fact that it is often made elsewhere). The name “vermouth”, however, is derived from the German word “Wermut”, meaning “wormwood”. I guess you could call this aperitif an international one!
Tried the Negroni? Let me know what you think in the comments below! Happy sipping!
