NEGRONI
Ingredients:
30ml Gin of an excellent variety
30ml Campari, bold and bitter
30ml Sweet Vermouth, fragrant and smooth
Orange Peel, for garnish
Procedure:
Select an Old Fashioned glass of respectable size and weight.
Fill the glass to the brim with large ice cubes, pristine as a winter's morn.
Pour in the gin, that spirited testament to juniper's potency.
Follow this with the Campari, its vivid hue and bitter taste echoing sunsets in an Italian summer.
Now, the Sweet Vermouth, that unifying thread which sweetly harmonises the potent gin and biting Campari.
Stir gently with a bar spoon, not to agitate, but to create a delicate dance among these three distinguished liquids.
Finally, garnish with a twist of orange peel, expressing its essential oils over the surface before placing it gracefully into the concoction.
The History
Now that we've assembled this titillating trifecta, let's journey back to the birthplace of the Negroni. Florence, Italy, circa 1919. Our protagonist is the debonair Count Camillo Negroni. Inspired by his recent sojourn to England, he desired a cocktail that had a bit more backbone than the prevailing favourite of the time, the Americano (a mix of Campari, Sweet Vermouth and soda water).
Returning to his local haunt, Caffè Casoni, he requested the bartender, a certain Fosco Scarselli, to fortify his usual Americano with a good measure of gin in place of the soda water. Ever the gentleman, he did not forget the garnish, swapping the typical Americano's lemon twist for a more robust orange one.
Thus, the Negroni was born, an Englishman's strength encased in an Italian's elegance. It quickly became the talk of the town, its popularity spreading beyond the borders of Italy and charming the cocktail connoisseurs around the globe.
The Fascinating Facts
Now, let me share some intriguing facts about this distinguished drink:
There is a Negroni Week. Established in 2013, it celebrates this iconic cocktail while raising money for charities around the world.
An "Aged Negroni" is a variation where the mixture is left to sit in an oak barrel for a few weeks, softening the bitter edges of the Campari and integrating the flavours in a remarkable fashion.
The Negroni has inspired a slew of variations, including the Negroni Sbagliato, where prosecco delightfully replaces the gin, and the Boulevardier, with bourbon donning the role of the gin.
In the heart of Melbourne, at 1806, we pay homage to the classic Negroni while also lovingly crafting our interpretations, marrying tradition with creativity.
Each sip of a Negroni at 1806 isn't merely a delight to the palate, it is a voyage through time, a toast to the merriment of the bygone era, and a testament to the passion of cocktail craftsmanship.
The Allure of the Negroni
Why does the Negroni continue to captivate us, even a century after its birth? The answer, my dear patrons, lies in its artful balance - the bitter, the sweet, the strong, in harmonious unity. With equal measures of three components, it's a democracy of flavours, each getting its turn in the limelight without overshadowing the others.
To add to that, there's the visual spectacle - the Negroni boasts a vibrant allure, its radiant ruby hue reminiscent of a Tuscan sunset, casting an enticing invitation to the discerning cocktail aficionado. The Negroni, dear patrons, is not just a cocktail; it is a sensory experience that engages the eyes, the nose, and the palate.
The Count and His Legacy
As for our beloved Count Negroni, he was more than just a cocktail enthusiast. An adventurer at heart, he was said to have been a rodeo clown in the United States and a fencing teacher in England, among other things. His vibrant life mirrors the complexity and intrigue of his namesake cocktail, lending an additional layer of fascination to every sip.
Negroni and The World
The Negroni's popularity reaches far beyond the bars and parlours of Italy. Indeed, across the pond in the United States, it is a celebrated fixture in the cocktail scene, as much admired on the sun-kissed patios of California as it is in the bustling speakeasies of New York. Closer to home, at 1806, we hold it in equally high esteem. We cherish its classic form and enjoy its countless variants.
The Art of Making a Negroni at 1806
In crafting a Negroni at 1806, every detail is meticulously considered. The gin, Campari, and Vermouth are not merely combined; they are thoughtfully married, each introducing its unique personality to the mix while celebrating the unity of the whole. The twist of orange peel isn't a mere garnish; it's the final touch of magic, releasing a delightful citrus aroma that perfectly complements the flavours within. Served in a weighty glass over crystal-clear ice, the result is a Negroni of unparalleled excellence, one that Count Negroni himself would have been proud to imbibe.
And so, each evening, as the lights of 1806 flicker warmly against the Melbourne night, our master bartenders pour their skill and passion into crafting this timeless concoction. We raise our glasses to toast the Negroni, to toast Count Camillo, and to toast all of you, our cherished patrons who continue to savour this magnificent cocktail with us. Here's to another century of the Negroni!🍸