The Negroni: Theme and Variations to Try it Your Way
To echo Cath’s sentiments, 2023 was a bit of a curious year.
Objectively speaking, 2023 was one of the better years on record. The first part of the year was highlighted by a fantastic trip, where we were able to independently explore Cath’s familial homeland, Taiwan. A work contract that I thoroughly enjoyed ended, only to be replaced with another, more senior contract role and Cath had her own upward career move. To celebrate, we were able to revisit one of our favourite places, Japan, and then Christmas reared it head once more to signify the end of the year.
In the midst of all of that, 2023 was a stressful year, for reasons I won’t fully articulate here. Suffice to say, I became strangely disconnected and fatigued from everything, which naturally meant I threw myself into work. It wasn’t until I broke out of the malaise by catching up with some old friends over a negroni or two that I had fully realised what had happened. Thankfully, Cath (aka Honey Bee), felt the same way, and we decided what a great way to reconnect with our passions – good food, great drinks and a spot of writing.
So here we are, and thank you for being a part of this.
What is a Negroni?
The Negroni is one of those classic cocktails that is something of a staple amongst many of my friends, and with good reason. It also has a special place in my heart, being one of the first classic cocktails I learnt to make as a bartender trying to get through law school and something routinely shared with good friends.
The Negroni is a great drink for a lot of reasons. As an aperitif, it is a great opener to not just a meal, but also a great conversation. Perfectly balanced by the gin, bitter orange liquer and sweet vermouth, it combines herbaceous flavour profile with citrus and bitter notes. Just lovely on a warm afternoon while you watch the world go by.
While the origins of the Negroni are contested, the most popular version of the story births the cocktail in Florence Italty in 1919. Count Camillo Negroni walked into his favourite bar, the Caffe Casoni and requested something more fortifying than your typical Americano. Throw in some gin, a hint of magic and the Negroni was born.
What isn’t contested is how simple the drink is to make. But, to keep things fresh, let’s go through the theme and variations of a Negroni.
The Classic Negroni
The centrepiece for the classic Negroni is indisputably Campari, a herbaceous Italian aperitif. As with all things Italian, it is simple, elegant and frankly delicious.
The Recipe:
- 30 ml Gin
- 30 ml Bitter Campari
- 30 ml Sweet Vermouth
Add ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice and a quick stir down. Alternatively, you can “throw” or pour the cocktail between a metal shaker.
You want to be careful not to over-dilute the drink.
Strain and pour the cocktail into a rocks glass with block ice. Garnish with an orange peel.
Imbibe while sitting in an Italian piazza while looking effortlessly stylish, with friends, or while crying in the shower because you won’t be able to fulfil your European fantasies in this lifetime.
The Australian Negroni
The Australian Negroni is pretty much a Negroni with all Australian ingredients. Plus brought down to a slightly more sensible ABV level.
The Recipe:
- 30 ml Australian Gin – Some fabulous Australian gins include Four Pillars, Applewood, EARP, Finders Distillery and my favourite, Patient Wolf.
- 25 ml Bitter Orange Liquer – I highly recommend the 78 Degrees Bitter Orange from Adelaide Hills. It’s just more balanced and lighter than Campari. There are some great Australian liqueurs on the market.
- 25 ml Sweet Vermouth – Generally a fan of Adelaide Hills, Maidenii, Margan and Unico.
Combine ingredients as above.
The Negroni Sbagliato and Americano
The Negroni Sbagliato is another three ingredient wonder, this time swapping the gin for Italian sparkling, more specifically prosecco.
The first time I had a sbagliato was pre Tik Tok days when it was relatively unknown cocktail. A couple of years ago I used to work as a bartender and it featured on the Negroni Week Cocktail list. It quickly became my go-to staff beverage and a household favourite between the wife and I. Then the meme happened, everyone knew about it and it all felt a bit naff afterwards if I’m being honest.
Sbagliato is apparently Italian for “wrong” or “mistaken”, but there really is no mistaking that it is a refreshingly delicious drink.
Recipe:
In a rocks glass over block ice add:
- 30 ml Campari or bitter orange liqueurs
- 30 ml Sweet vermouth
- Stir the liqueur down with a bar spoon over block ice 20 or 30 times. Top with 45 ml prosecco and garnish with an orange wedge. While a lot of recipes call for equal parts, I find this approach balances all the flavours well.
The Americano is an even lighter version of the Sbagliato. In a tall glass, add 45 ml Campari and Sweet Vermouth. Stir down over ice. Top with soda water and garnish with an orange wedge.
Enjoy while live streaming over tik tok while you pretend to live your European fantasy with the magic of the green screen feature.
The Milano Torino
I know what you’re like, you have had a negroni, maybe even an Americano and all of a sudden you feel compelled to channel your old Italian nonno. It’s ok friend, I got you.
This is an Italian take on a godfather cocktail, and while it’s not for everyone, it’s not half bad.
Recipe:
- In a rocks glass over ice, add
- 75 ml of Sweet Vermouth
- 20 ml of Campari
- Stir down well and garnish with a lemon and an orange peel.
Enjoy with old friends or while yelling at the kids to get off your garden.
There we have it, a couple of takes on the negroni. Which one was your favourite?
Saluti e a presto.
Fi