How to Make the Perfect Negroni & Campari Cocktails
Equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, stirred and served over ice with a twist of orange peel – the Negroni may be an uncomplicated cocktail but its perfect balance of flavors make it a firm favorite the world over. In Sorrento, order up a Negroni to start your aperitivo time.
But where did it all start for this delicious drink? If you’re a whiskey fan substitute the gin for a Boulevardier
History of the Negroni
Although disputed by some, the common consensus dates the creation of the Negroni to 1919 and a bar called Casoni in Florence.
An intriguing regular of the bar was ‘Count Camillo Negroni’. A man who had spent time in London (he was the grandson of a pre-Romantic English poet) and in America where he reportedly spent his time as a cowboy.
Back in his hometown after his travels, the Count asked the bartender to strengthen his favorite cocktail, an Americano, by replacing the soda in it with gin – perhaps influenced by his time spent in London.
The concoction became so popular that before long other visitors to the bar started to order a ‘Negroni’ and the legend was born.
The Negroni today
Is there any other cocktail that has enjoyed such a surge in popularity in the past few years than the Negroni? Not according to Gary Regan author of ‘The Negroni: Drinking to La Dolce Vita’, he believes the drink now “appears on about 300 percent more cocktail lists than 10 years ago”.
Campari made the most of the Negroni’s new status and declared 2011 to be ‘The Year of the Negroni’. And, there’s now even a worldwide Negroni week!
This annual celebration begun in 2013 with 100 participating venues and now has 6,000 venues joining in around the world. This year it takes place from June 5-11, learn more about it. To date, Negroni Week has raised almost $1.5 million for charitable causes.
Recipe: for the perfect Negroni
- 30ml good quality gin (perhaps one with sweeter botanicals to contrast with the bitter flavors)
- 30ml Campari
- 30ml sweet vermouth
In a rocks glass, add the gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. Give it a quick stir (don’t shake) and garnish with an orange twist.
What is Campari?
Campari was created back in 1860 by Gaspari Campari. The exact recipe is still a closely guarded secret but this unique tasting digestif gets it flavour from herbs and fruit being infused in alcohol and water. The fruits are thought to be bitter orange, and rhubarb but no one knows the mixture of herbs, well no one other than the company director!
The first production plant was opened in Sesto San Giovanni, near Milan, in 1904. Today it is sold in 190 different countries with its main markets being Germany, Brazil and France.
With it’s bitter taste and alcohol content varying from 20.5–28% (depending on the country it’s sold in) it is more often than not served with soda, or as part of a cocktail. We’ve already talked about the Negroni, but here are a few other ideas.
Being in the land of limoncello…it’s first on the list. Food & Wine magazine lists some fabulous Campari Cocktail Recipes
- Mediterranean Pink Lady: Angus Winchester, known as the “gin genius” and global ambassador for Tanqueray Gin, loves limoncello and Campari and wanted to combine them in a classic-style (that is, not overly esoteric or fussy) cocktail. The result is a pretty pink drink that’s citrusy and crisp.
- Sorrentino: If you can’t find Barolo Chinato, use the spicy sweet vermouth Punt e Mes, which is widely available in the United States.
- Americano: Think Negroni without the gin. One part Campari, one part vermouth with a splash of soda water.
- Garibaldi: This is as simple as they come – Campari and orange juice. One part Campari to three parts freshly squeezed orange juice will give you a sweeter drink.
- Spritz: A more grown up take on the Aperol Spritz. Fill a glass with ice, add two parts prosecco, two parts Campari and one part soda. Garnish with an olive.
Salute!
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