The Negroni, a simple yet delightfully bitter cocktail, is believed to have been created by the adventurous Italian Count Camillo Negroni in Florence in the early 20th century.
At Bar Casoni in Florence, he asked the bartender to make his favorite drink, the Americano, stronger by using gin instead of soda water. The bartender also added a twist by using an orange peel instead of the usual lemon peel.
This story is widely accepted and is detailed in a book by Lucca Picchi, head bartender at Caffe Rivoire in Florence. The book, titled “In the Footsteps of the Count: The True Story of the Negroni Cocktail,” confirms how the Count’s simple change led to the Negroni becoming one of the most famous stirred drinks, alongside classics like the gin Martini and Manhattan.
Today, there are many versions of the Negroni being served in bars and restaurants all over the world.
Negroni Ingredients
- 30 ml (1 oz) gin
- 30 ml (1 oz) sweet vermouth
- 30 ml (1 oz) Campari
- Orange peel, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Negroni Recipe
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Ensure you have all the necessary components ready: gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, and ice cubes.
Step 2: Measure the Ingredients
In a mixing glass, measure out:
- 30 ml (1 oz) gin
- 30 ml (1 oz) sweet vermouth
- 30 ml (1 oz) Campari
Step 3: Add Ice
Place a generous handful of ice cubes into the mixing glass to chill the ingredients and dilute the mixture slightly.
Step 4: Stir
Stir the ingredients in the mixing glass for about 15–20 seconds. This gentle stirring ensures proper integration of flavors without excessive dilution.
Step 5: Strain
Using a strainer, pour the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Step 6: Garnish
Express the oil from an orange peel over the cocktail by holding it over the glass and giving it a twist. Drop the peel into the glass as a garnish.
Your classic Negroni is now ready to be enjoyed. Sip slowly and savor the harmonious interplay of flavors.
The Negroni Cocktail – Tantalize The Tase Buds
The Negroni, both easy to prepare and delightfully bitter, is attributed to the adventurous Italian Count Camillo Negroni, who reportedly invented it in Florence during the early 20th century. Legend has it that while patronizing Bar Casoni in Florence, the count requested a modification to his beloved Americano cocktail, opting for gin instead of the usual soda water to add potency. To further distinguish his creation, the bartender substituted the customary lemon peel with an orange peel.
This widely embraced narrative is chronicled in “Sulle Tracce del Conte: La Vera Storia del Cocktail Negroni,” authored by Lucca Picchi, the head bartender at Caffe Rivoire in Florence, Italy. Translating to “In the Footsteps of the Count: The True Story of the Negroni Cocktail,” the account attests to the count’s bold decision, which birthed one of the most revered stirred drinks in history.
Today, the Negroni holds a revered place alongside the Martini and Manhattan as a classic cocktail and has inspired countless variations served in restaurants and cocktail bars worldwide.
