This week is Negroni Week all over the world. And I am so pleased because I adore a Negroni! I am so pleased they have come roaring back into fashion of late and they are being really well made.
The Negroni is one of the few cocktails to have a relatively undisputed heritage. It was invented by a Florantine called Count Camillo Negroni and bartender Fosco Scarselli at the Caffè Casoni in 1919. I’ve heard a few versions of the event, but the most consistent is that Negroni ordered an Americano (Campari, red vermouth and sparkling mineral water) but told Scarselli to replace the mineral water with something stronger. In a moment of pure genius Scarselli replaced the water with gin. Negroni was so enamoured with the result that he started a company to bottle and sell pre-made Negronis.
The Negroni is one of the simplest cocktails to make, equal parts of 3 spirits, over ice with a flamed orange peel. The ingredients should be gently stirred with ice cubes until it is completely ice then strained into a tumbler over a nice big ice cube. Flaming orange peel is quite easy, but hard to explain, so here’s a handy video.
Now I’ve convinced you that Negronis are interesting and tasty, I need to convince you to get into one of the Negroni Week bars near you. Participating bar are supporting a chose charity throughout Negroni Week, so you can treat your taste buds all in the name of a good cause.