In Italy, a Negroni is what’s known as an aperitivo; something to open your palette, start your evening and get you ready for the other flavors to come.
In France it’s an apéritif and in America, it’s a drink before dinner.
But really it’s a great drink to enjoy anytime of the day or night.
According to legend, or legends, as there are many when it comes to the Negroni but one in particular is most widely accepted.
The drink was invented in Florence, Italy in 1919, for Count Camillo Negroni, who requested that his normal cocktail, the Americano, be fortified with something stronger. The bartender added gin in place of soda and the negroni was born.He also added an orange twist in place of the traditional lemon twist used in an Americano.
How an Italian Count started to drink Americanos is also an interesting story.
It seems the Count got into a jam, there may or may not have been a woman involved, and had to get out of town, out of the country actually.
He went to America, became a cowboy started drinking Americanos. When his trouble back home cooled down he returned and the story of the Negroni began.
The Negroni is one of the simplest and most elegant drink formulas around: combine one part gin, one part sweet vermouth, and one part Campari, then stir and serve over ice. This bitter, sweet, and smooth drink has inspired countless variations as well as legions of diehard aficionados.
Negronis can be served on the rocks, which makes for near-ideal summer drinking, or anytime in Florida
Don’t neglect the orange twist or slice though, it is an integral part; the citrus oils really enhance the components of the drink.
Orson Welles, who discovered the cocktail while filming Black Magic (“Cagliostro,” ) in Rome in 1947. Said Welles: “The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other.”
Jason Wilson: “just about the perfect cocktail … so simple even the worst bartender can’t mess it up too badly.”