Saturday, April 16, 2016

A Negroni for Negroni Haters like Myself

Anyone with any interest in cocktails has heard or had their fair share of the classic Negroni.  This quintessential Italian libation is both refreshing and a perfect opener to a night of food and drinks.  Deceptively simple, this drink is the perfect litmus test of a bartender's skills.  At times I've both hated and loved the Negroni.  Only after about a dozen or so variations from different bars combined with my own experimentation I've discovered the perfect (in my eyes) Negroni.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce gin -- The Botanist or equally heavily botanical London dry gin
  • 1 ounce Leopold Bros. Apertivo
  • 1 ounce vermouth -- Maurin Red
  • 2 drops of orange bitters -- Cocktailpunk
  • Club soda
  • Garnish -- Orange peel, apple slice, or really any fruit of your choosing

Instructions

In a lowball glass, add gin, apertivo, vermouth, and bitters.  Add large cracked ice just below the top of the glass.  Stir for approximately 30 seconds or 60 rotations.  Top off with club soda.  Serve garnish either directly on top of glass or fitted to glass.

Notes

While I do use specific ingredients in this recipe, please use it as a general guide for creating your own perfect Negroni.  I've followed several recipes myself and realized none fit my own palette.