One of the world’s greatest cocktails, the Negroni, turns 100 this year!
Named for Italian count, Camillo Negroni, who like his cocktails spiked with gin, the Negroni is the most successful mixed drink from Italy and arguably one of the most consumed cocktails in the world. “Drinks International” Magazine ran a poll of the most ordered cocktails of 2018 and the Negroni came in a close second after the Old-Fashioned.
For those who aren’t in the know, the Negroni is an easy cocktail to prepare, with equal parts Gin, Sweet Vermouth and an Italian bitter aperitivo (we like Campari.) Many bars and restaurants offer variations of the Negroni such as frozen Negroni or substituting the Gin with Mezcal, or Rum. In fact, the whisky version is in great demand and it’s called the Boulevardier.
The Negroni is the only cocktail to have a whole week dedicated to it; the last week of June is International Negroni Week. The weeklong event involves participating bars worldwide donating a percentage of profits from sales of their Negroni cocktails to charity. Thirty establishments in Miami participated this year.
MAKE IT AT HOME!
If you’re 21 or over, this recipe’s for you!
Ingredients
1 ounce gin
1 ounce sweet vermouth, preferably Cinzano Rosso
1 ounce Campari
Orange twist
Method
Combine all liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass and stir until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Squeeze orange twist over drink and slip into glass.
(You may experiment with doubling up on the gin for a stronger concoction!)