The Negroni: a delicious twist on the Americano

The Negroni was named after Count Camillo Negroni of Firenze, who ordered the same cocktail every day.  Legend has it that one day Negroni was looking for something a little stronger than the ubiquitous Americano, his favorite aperitivo, and that bartender Fosco Scarselli at Caffè Casoni replaced the standard soda water in the Americano with Gin…  a man after my own heart.  The new drink became so popular that Negroni’s family began bottling and selling it.

The sweet Vermouth offsets some of the bitterness of the Campari®, and the gin cuts the flavor some more, resulting in a very desirable cocktail.  Campari (CS# 064636) is in general distribution in Utah, but if your local State Liquor Store is small, you might want to make sure they have it in stock before you make a special trip.  If you are interested in trying a sweet Vermouth a little better than the ubiquitous Martini & Rossi® Rosso, you should try the Quady Vya (CS# 910764), but it is in limited distribution so be sure to call ahead.

Negroni

1 oz Gin

1 oz Campari

1 oz Sweet Vermouth

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass half full of cracked ice.  Stir briskly until nice and cold.  Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with twist of orange peel, burnt if you want to be really authentic.