Raising the Bar | Episode 3: The Negroni

Today, we continue Boyfriend's cocktail series. As mentioned in an earlier post, the series wil be a combination of recipes, tips, tools and ways to build a killer bar without breaking the bank. Enjoy!

This week I’m bringing you a simple cocktail with only three ingredients, two of which you should always have on hand.

The Negroni

• 1 part Gin
• 1 part Sweet Vermoth
• 1 part Campari

Stir and strain over ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Couldn’t be easier.

Now, let's take a look at this drink. Where did it come from?
Negronis are a variation of the aperitif Americano (not to be confused with espresso and hot water, which my friend Joe was once served with his meal instead of the cocktail). Legend has it that Count Camilio Negroni wanted something a little stronger than this usual Americano. The bartender substituted gin for the soda and hung an orange peel on it to distinguish the new concoction from the original.

This week, my nightly cocktail has been the Negroni. This is because when I went to the liquor store to buy some Campari for Campari & Soda I neglected to make sure we actually had soda in the fridge. When faced with going back out or making due, I opted to use what we had. As much as possible, I try to keep the bar stocked with three base spirits (gin, whiskey, rum). In addition to these base spirits, I like to keep both sweet and dry vermouth and two types of bitters (Angostura and Peychauds). With just these 7 bottles, I can make many old standbys or introduce a newcomer.

Having read a nice piece on the Negroni I was pleased to give it a shot. Elegance, and simplicity yield a complex and delicious early spring drink. Try it soon before we hit Daiquiri season.



Photo: a delicious batch of Negronis, just waiting to be consumed!