We asked our trusted bartender for some information on one of the most popular drinks: negroni! And here are some things that have intrigued us.
WHERE DOES NEGRONI COME FROM?
It is believed that in 1919, in Florence, Italy, Count Camillo Negroni asked his friend and bartender, Forsco Scarselli, to strengthen his favorite cocktail (the Americano) by replacing sparkling water with gin. Scarselli added an orange garnish, instead of the lemon you usually get with an American, and the Negroni was born!
WHAT IS YOUR PERFECT NEGRONI RECIPE?
I love Negroni and since 2015 it has quickly become one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It's simple, complex, wonderfully bitter, and a great way to enjoy your favorite gin!
For me the best and most balanced Negroni is the classic recipe:
- 1 part of London Dry Gin
- 1 part of Campari
- 1 part of sweet vermouth
- Garnish with fresh orange peel.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO A PERFECT NEGRONI?
Simple and Easy. The key to doing it right is dilution. A negroni must be mixed and NOT shaken. I see it more often than I would like to admit! By stirring, you are cooling the drink and checking the dilution. When you shake you can't control the dilution and you'll end up adding too much aeration.
It's hard to go wrong as long as the ice is good and the sweet vermouth is kept in the fridge and not on the back counter!
SOME TOUCH OF CREATIVITY ABOUT NEGRONI?
Since Negroni is a rather bitter drink, some tend to opt for something else. Here's a twist on a Negroni that was shared with me:
Negroni White
- London Dry Gin 25 ml
- Italian 25 ml
- Lillet Blanc 25 ml
- Garnish with green olives