One cocktail that has breached the boundaries of where it originated from and reached a point where it is one of the most loved drinks across countries is negroni. Having originated in Italy, this contemporary classic drink has now become so popular that we have an entire week to celebrate the cocktail in its original form and all its equally wonderful variants. The proportions of a classic negroni is very interesting – one-part gin, one-part sweet vermouth and one-part Campari. This drink is served before the meal and it is an aperitif, which basically means that it aids in building appetite.
The classic negroni is not shaken, it is stirred. It is built over ice in rocks or classic glass and is either garnished with an orange slice, like in the original version or with orange peel. It has truly transcended generations and continues to remain popular with both the traditionalists and with modernists who like their drinks with a twist. It is a slightly bitter drink but lovers of negroni call that very taste the true indicator of a good drink.
With Negroni week on the horizon, Bombay Sapphire and Martini bring you the perfect opportunity to be homebound slightly earlier than usual. Picture being perched amongst your favorite nook, unwinding with a glass that boasts of the bittersweet characteristics of Bombay Sapphire Gin and Martini Vermouth.
Whether you're a purist who appreciates the classics, or someone who inclines a bit towards the experimental side and swaps the "Old Pal" rye with a decadent double-aged scotch whiskey, we have a recipe for each of you! Let us stir up the perfect cocktails for you.
Classic Negroni
The now world-famous cocktail was invented at Caffe Casoni in Florence, Italy in 1919. Legend says that Count Camillo Negroni asked his friend, bartender Forsco Scarselli, to strengthen his Favourite cocktail – the Americano – by replacing the soda water with gin. So, a classic was born.
Ingredients
- 30ml Martini Rosso
- 30ml Martini Fiero
- 30ml Bombay Sapphire
Method
- Combine liquid ingredients in a rocks glass, add ice and stir.
- Garnish with expressed orange peel.
Twisted Classic Old Mate
A Scottish take on Old Pal, typically made with Rye, obviously swaps out for a delicious double aged Dewar’s 12 blended scotch whisky.
Ingredients
- 45ml Dewar’s 12
- 30ml Martini Extra Dry
- 30ml Martini Fiero
- Orange twist for garnish
Method
- Combine all the mentioned ingredients in a rocks glass, add ice, stir.
- Garnish with Orange twist.
Twisted Classic Rosita
Although Mexico and Italy are thousands of kilometers from each other it is a wonder that Italian bitters and vermouth really compliment so many flavors that tequila can present. In this riff on a Negroni we use Martini Fiero as it doesn’t have quite the dry bitter punch that Campari has so it lets the tequila and vermouth shine in harmony.
Ingredients
- 45ml Patron Reposado
- 15ml Martini Rosso
- 15ml Martini Extra Dry
- 15ml Martini Fiero
- 10ml Crème de Cacao
- 1 Dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange twist for garnish
Method
- Combine ingredients in a rocks glass, add ice, stir.
- Garnish with Orange twist
Twisted Classic Negroni Sour
Maybe a rich dark and bitter cocktail isn’t your ideal match but you want to try new things. Try this; a little lemon juice and (optional) egg white really tones down the bitterness and brings out the floral flavors of the gin and vermouth.
Ingredients
- 30ml Bombay Sapphire
- 30ml Martini Rosso
- 30ml Martini Fiero
- 15ml Lemon Juice
- 15ml Orange Juice
- 1 Egg white (optional)
- Lemon twist as garnish
Method
- Combine ingredients in a shaker, add ice, shake hard.
- Strain into a large coupe.
- Garnish with Lemon twist.
So, this negroni week, try all of these traditional drinks, classic cocktails and contemporary beverages with a twist. Celebrate the magic potion that is negroni and enjoy making, serving and drinking it. Merry drinking, everyone.