The Negroni recipe is a favorite among many people. It’s an aperitif which is a cocktail to have before dinner!
This is the Negroni recipe. In my opinion, it is one of the easiest cocktails to make. What makes it so easy? There is an equal measurement of each of the three ingredients.
Easy peasy! All you have to do is remember what the three ingredients are! 🙂
A little background on the Negroni recipe
It is said to have been concocted first in Florence, Italy back in the early 1900s. I read that a bartender came up with it when a patron named Count Camillo Negroni asked for a stronger version of an Americano cocktail (which is Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda). Hence the name, the Negroni!
Well, the Negroni recipe is certainly stronger than the Americano. Not only because there is more booze in it, but it’s also stronger in taste.
If you’ve never had Campari before, I’ll describe it for you. It’s an infusion of herbs and fruits with a bright red color and a bitter taste. Some people would say that Campari is an acquired taste.
I’d be one of those people. It’s bitter and should be sipped, making it a perfect aperitif because the bitterness stimulates digestion and makes you hungry. That’s why you won’t find a sweet cocktail listed as an aperitif.
I had tasted it for the first time when I made it for this post and although my first instinct was, “Wow, too bitter!” My second instinct was, “I can see how people like this.” It mellows in your mouth and the bitter aftertaste is quite nice.
Christopher does not like bitter drinks, so this is not a cocktail for him! 🙂
Flashback
Christopher and I quote lines from movies just like everyone else, I would assume. I’d love to know what movies people tend to quote, so leave me a comment to tell me your favorites.
One of our favorites is a Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin film called “Big Business.” At one point, Bette Midler’s ‘evil’ twin character (Bette and Lily play two sets of twins separated at birth!) turns to the waiter in the hotel lounge, drops her face into a mask of condescension and says, “Campari and soda.” Then she turns back to her partner with her face all smiles.
Always a laugh for us! I’m an actress, so I love to imitate Bette’s condescension face when I utter her words.
On to the recipe:
The Ingredients for the Negroni Recipe and the Mixing
This cocktail contains Campari, gin and sweet vermouth.
I start by filling my cocktail shaker half way with ice. I grab my cocktail stirrer, rocks glass and measuring implement.
I start with the gin. I measure out one ounce of Bombay Sapphire!
I pour it into the shaker.
Next, I pour out an ounce of sweet vermouth.
Into the shaker it goes!
I then measure out one ounce of Campari.
I pour it into the shaker.
You can measure out these ingredients in any order, this is just the order that I chose.
I take my cocktail stirrer and briskly stir the contents of the shaker.
I take my rocks glass and pour the contents of the shaker into the glass.
I cut a piece of orange peel away from the orange and twist it.
Into the drink it goes.
Here’s an aerial view of the Negroni aperitif cocktail.
And another view!
Bottoms Up
I hope you enjoy this recipe. Remember it is not for everyone but it does tend to grow on people the more they sip it!
Feel free to Pin any photo to Pinterest or Yum the recipe to Yummly. And if you are so inclined, leave me a comment!
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
- 1 ounce gin I used Bombay Sapphire
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- cocktail shaker
- 1 orange rind twist
- rocks glass
- Fill a cocktail shaker half way with ice
Add gin, vermouth and Campari
- Stir briskly with a cocktail stirrer
Pour into a rocks glass
- Add orange twist
- Lift glass
- Place lips on rim
- Sip
- Revel in the bitterness of the drink
- Enjoy
This is my favorite aperitif, hands down!