Negroni, a classic cocktail that originated in the Italian cuisine, has an important place in the cocktail world. Its bitter taste, combined with sweet and sour notes, and its colorful presentation make it look like a work of art. Negroni, which has become popular worldwide, has become the favorite cocktail of many people. Would you like to learn more about this popular cocktail?
Many people eagerly await to taste Negroni by going to Milan. That’s why Negroni is known as the king of Italian cocktails.
History of Negroni
Negroni is one of the most famous cocktails in Italian cuisine. It is believed that this drink, which is prepared by mixing gin, sweet red vermouth, and Campari liqueur, was born in Milan, Italy. There are various stories about the origin of Negroni, but it is generally associated with Italian aristocrat Camillo Negroni.
Camillo Negroni was born in a farm in Tuscany, Italy, in the early 20th century. Negroni, who took his first steps into the world of drinks, discovered his interest in drink culture while working as a gold mine operator in the United States. After a while, he started working as a waiter at Harry’s Bar in Paris, where he learned many cocktails and drink varieties.
Camillo Negroni wanted to create his own drink after returning to Italy. According to claims, Negroni ordered an Americano drink at the bar where he was sitting one day. However, he wanted to change the taste of the drink and asked the waiter to add some gin to his drink. That’s where Camillo Negroni created his own drink.
The popularity of Negroni is largely associated with Camillo Negroni’s role as its creator. Since Negroni became popular in Italian cuisine and worldwide, Camillo Negroni became a legend too. At that time, Camillo Negroni was among Italy’s most famous and wealthy people, and the drink he created was admired by many people.
Today, the Negroni cocktail is widely accepted as a popular drink worldwide, and Camillo Negroni’s role as its creator has an important place in the history of the cocktail. Camillo Negroni’s creativity is considered a turning point in the world of drinks, and it appears on the menus of many bars and restaurants.
Recipe for Negroni
Ingredients:
- 30 ml gin
- 30 ml sweet red vermouth
- 30 ml Campari liqueur
- Orange peel or slice (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass.
- Stir the mixture and strain it into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with an orange peel or slice.
Negroni can be adapted to many different recipes and can have various variations.
Here are some different Negroni recipes and variations:
Boulevardier
Boulevardier is a version of Negroni that is made with bourbon instead of gin.
- 30 ml bourbon
- 30 ml sweet red vermouth
- 30 ml Campari liqueur
- Orange peel or slice (for garnish)
Negroski
Negroski is a version of Negroni that is made with vodka instead of gin.
- 30 ml vodka
- 30 ml sweet red vermouth
- 30 ml Campari liqueur
- Lemon slice (for garnish)
White Negroni
White Negroni is made with white sweet vermouth instead of sweet red vermouth.
- 30 ml gin
- 30 ml white sweet vermouth
- 30 ml Suze liqueur
- Lemon peel (for garnish)
Negroni Sbagliato:
Negroni Sbagliato is a version of Negroni that is made with Prosecco instead of Campari liqueur.
- 30 ml gin
- 30 ml sweet red vermouth
- 30 ml Prosecco
- Orange slice (for garnish)
Negroni is generally considered a classic and popular cocktail worldwide. With different recipes and variations, it offers an option for every taste. These alternative recipes have different characteristics from Negroni, and offer options to suit everyone’s preference. Boulevardier is sweeter, Old Pal is spicier, Negroni Sbagliato is lighter, and White Negroni has a refreshing taste. Therefore, even those who do not like Negroni can find an option that suits them.
The Taste of Negroni
Negroni is known as a cocktail with characteristic bitter and sweet notes. Many of these flavors are obtained from Campari liqueur. Campari is essentially a liqueur, created in 1860 in Italy by Gaspare Campari. Campari is made from a blend of chinotto, licorice root, citrus fruits, and spices. It has a sweet, bitter, and spicy taste.
Negroni is made by using sweet red vermouth to sweeten and balance Campari’s bitter characteristics. Vermouth is a mixture of wine, herbal extracts, and spices, and has a sweet taste. While gin may seem like a neutral alcoholic beverage in the cocktail, it helps to bring out the cocktail’s particularly bitter notes when combined with the other ingredients.
The ratios are another factor that determines the cocktail’s flavor. Negroni’s ratios call for equal parts of gin, sweet red vermouth, and Campari liqueur. However, in some recipes, the amount of Campari liqueur can be slightly decreased or increased.
Negroni is traditionally served in a rocks glass, which is commonly used for serving cold drinks. It typically has thick walls and a rounded base, which helps to mix the ice and other ingredients well and enhances the cocktail’s flavor.
Negroni is poured over ice into a rocks glass. Then, the cocktail mixture is added and stirred once. Some bartenders prefer to shake the cocktail instead of stirring it to make it slightly colder.
Negroni is usually served as a standalone aperitif. However, it can also pair well with certain foods. Salty snacks or light tapas-style dishes, in particular, balance out Negroni’s bitter taste and complement its flavor. Italian flavors such as cheese plates, olives, or meaty small bites are perfect pairings with Negroni.
Negroni can also be paired well with desserts, especially with bitter chocolate and coffee desserts, which emphasize the cocktail’s bitter and spicy notes and create a sweet ending. Additionally, low-sugar and lighter desserts can also be served with Negroni. For example, fruit salads or ice cream balance the cocktail’s intense flavor and provide a fresh sweetness.
Negroni’s Place in Culture
Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail that has gained great popularity worldwide and is among Italy’s classic cocktails. In recent years, Negroni’s popularity has further increased with the rise of cocktail culture.
Negroni can be found on bar menus in many countries worldwide. Additionally, it is frequently used in many cocktail competitions. Events like Negroni Week, sponsored by the Campari brand, demonstrate Negroni’s cultural significance.
Negroni’s place and importance in cocktail culture are significant. Cocktails are an important part of social interaction in many cultures, and Negroni is a popular choice in bars where many people gather and enjoy their time together. Furthermore, Negroni’s unique bitter and spicy taste has led to the discovery of new flavors in the cocktail world.
Negroni has also appeared in many films, series, and literary works. Although not as much as James Bond’s martini, Negroni has been consumed by characters in many instances. Ernest Hemingway’s novel “The Sun Also Rises” mentions Negroni as well.
Where Negroni is Served
In Italy, Negroni cocktails are popular, especially in large cities like Milan, Rome, and Florence, at bars and restaurants. In Milan, Camparino and Bar Basso are popular places for Negroni cocktails. Camparino, opened in 1915, is a historic location where you can taste cocktails made with the original Negroni recipe. Bar Basso, opened in 1967, offers different Negroni recipes like Negroni Sbagliato.
In Rome, Pigneto 41 and Jerry Thomas Speakeasy are popular places for Negroni cocktails. Pigneto 41 is a traditional Italian bar where you can enjoy Negroni cocktails made with local liqueurs such as Campari, Cinzano, and Vermouth. Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, on the other hand, is designed as a secret bar and offers original cocktails that reflect Italian cocktail culture.
In Florence, popular places for Negroni cocktails include La Terrazza Lounge, Procacci, and Golden View Open Bar. La Terrazza Lounge is a hotel bar that offers great views from its terrace, where you can explore the taste of Negroni cocktails. Procacci is a restaurant that opened in 1885 and serves original Negroni recipes. Golden View Open Bar is a bar-restaurant with a view of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, where you can try original Negroni recipes.
Worldwide, places like Dante in New York, Bar Termini in London, and Boadas in Barcelona are popular for Negroni cocktails. Dante is an Italian bar that was selected as the best bar in the world in 2019 and offers original Negroni recipes as well as different cocktails. Bar Termini is a bar-restaurant that offers modern interpretations of English cocktail culture. Boadas, on the other hand, is a cocktail bar that opened in 1933 and serves original Negroni recipes.