Ciao, Bella!
It’s officially Negroni Week! This is the perfect time to celebrate this fun, classic drink and its origins. Get your drink ready so you can sit back and enjoy the festivities!
The Negroni’s Origins
The Negroni is one ancient cocktail. That’s not a bad thing, because we all know that cocktails, just like our beloved spirits, only get better with time.
It is said to have come from the Milano-Torino, a cocktail that was invented at the Caffe Camparino in Milan, Italy in the 1860s. The Negroni itself is said to be invented at Caffe Casoni in Florence, Italy, in 1919.
What’s in a name?
There are two persons to which the Negroni cocktail’s name is credited.
The first is Count Camillo Negroni. There are several accounts of what the count actually did. He was either a banker, cowboy clown, or gambler. The most widely acclaimed occupation was that of a cowboy clown in the American Wild West, and that was where he supposedly got his taste for the Americano. When he went to the Caffe Casoni, he supposedly asked for a stronger version of his beloved drink by having the soda replaced with gin.
The other person is General Pascal Olivier de Negroni Comte de Negroni, a Corsican who fought in the Franco-Prussian War. Prior to his service in this war, however, Pascal Negroni had been a base commander in Saint Louis, Senegal. One letter references this post and the Negroni. It reads:
“… Incidentally, did you know that the vermouth-based cocktail that I invented in Saint Louis is a great hit at the Lunéville officers club?”
This account is just as unsure as the story of Count Camillo. But the pharmacists and barmaids in Senegal spread the gospel about the Negroni with this story! Other accounts suggest that the cocktail was a labor of love between General Pascal Negroni and his wife, as a celebration of their marriage.
Celebrating Negroni Week
There is no better way to describe this aperitivo than in the words of Anthony Bourdain.
“It sets you up for dinner… In an after dinner, it’s settling… It’s a rare drink that can do that.”
Interested in how you can jazz up this Negroni Week? Check out this fun list of things you can do!
- Have dinner with friends
- Watch a film about Negroni
- Hold a fundraiser
- Celebrate with fun games
- Host a Negroni Tasting Party
How to make the classic Negroni
Simply pour in equal parts Bright Night gin, aperol, and vermouth in a glass over ice. Give it a good stir, and top it up with a lemon peel or twist.
Negroni Variations
Wait — did you catch that last suggestion? If you did, then here’s a fun fact: the Negroni has several variations! Here are some of them:
- Negroni Sbagliato: A crowd-pleaser, for sure. It’s a variation of the Negroni that uses sparkling wine instead of gin.
- Boulevardier Cocktail: Why not swap out your gin for whiskey?
- Mezcal Negroni: The smokiness of the Mezcal is what makes this drink even better for some slow sipping.
- Americano: What’s better than actually trying out the Negroni’s OG?
- Cynar Negroni: Add in Cynar to your classic vermouth-and-gin mix to make a drink with hints of caramel and toffee.
- White Negroni: Vibrant yellow and floral.
Aperol Negroni
Who would forget this variation of the Negroni from the northern provinces of Italy? This is the classic Negroni’s less bitter version. It’s got the perfect balance of bitter, herbal, and sweet.
What you’ll need
- 40 ml Bright Night Gin
- 25 ml Aperol
- 20 ml Sweet or dry Vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
To make this Aperol Negroni (and other Negroni variations) less bitter, check out our website for our tips!
Barrel Aged Negroni
Finish off Negroni Week with a captivating twist! Our award-winning Chardonnay Barrel Aged Gin from Tasmania, Australia, is sure to elevate your Negroni experience. The rich oak notes, delicate vanillins, and sweet caramels harmoniously mingle with the bittersweet symphony of the Negroni. So, why not relish this week with the robust taste of our 14 botanticals that not just improve, but revolutionize your gin cocktails? Start pouring, start savoring!
What you you’ll need
- 40ml Bright Night Chardonnay Barrel Aged Gin
- 25ml Sweet Vermouth
- 25ml Campari
- Ice
- Green grape thinly sliced for garnish
Enjoy your Negroni Week festivities! Don’t forget to tag Bright Night Gin on our socials.
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