The End of Summer: A Negroni to Commemorate the Change in Season
Oscar Wilde once wrote: “And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” Just one look out the window and that all makes sense. It’s not gradual, it’s a complete and utter collapse.
As we move into autumn, the flavors we crave change. Red and orange are the colors of autumn, and that’s where the Negroni comes in. The perennial fall drink is not quite brown liquor – it’s more reddish – and its bitter, herbaceous notes of pine certainly work well when summer’s heat is less of the goal, but always a possibility.
The Oft-Repeated Origin Story
The Negroni, a drink named after an Italian count, has an origin story that dates back to the early 20th century. The story goes that Count Camillo Negroni, a regular at Caffè Casoni in Florence, asked his bartender to create a variation of the Americano, a drink made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water. The resulting drink was born: the Negroni.
A Popular Drink in the US, But Not in Italy
Despite its origins in Italy, the Negroni is more popular in the US than it is in Italy. This year, I had the chance to visit Florence, Italy during Negroni Week, and even though the hotel where I stayed, IL Tornabuoni, is just one block from the Caffè Casoni location, not a single bartender knew what I was talking about.
Modern Twists on a Classic
In this article, I will present three American adaptations of the classic Negroni, each using an American primary spirit and vermouth, but still featuring the bitter Italian star, Campari. Feel free to call them Americanos.
Recipes
Negroni Rosso
- 1 ounce Alamere Spirits London Dry Gin
- 1 ounce Lo-Fi Aperitifs Sweet Vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 dried blood orange wheel
Combine the gin, vermouth, and Campari in a mixing beaker with ice. Stir until cold. Strain over a large-format ice cube. Garnish with blood orange wheel.
NorCal Boulevardier
- 1 ounce Sausalito Liquor Co. Unsinkable Rye Whiskey
- 1 ounce Rockwell Vermouth Co. American Flavor Classic Sweet Vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 Bada Bing stemmed cherry
- 1 Seville orange slice (half a wheel)
Combine the whiskey, vermouth, and Campari in a mixing beaker with ice. Stir until cold. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with the orange and cherry.
Smoking Count
- 1 ounce Santo Spirits Reposado Tequila
- 1 ounce Straightaway Cocktails Accompani Sweet Vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 rosemary sprig
Combine the tequila, vermouth, and Campari in a mixing beaker with ice. Stir until cold. Strain over crushed ice and then briefly flame the rosemary sprig – carefully using either a candle or propane crème brûlée cooking torch. Blow out the flame quickly and add to the drink.
Conclusion
As summer fades into fall, the Negroni is once again a welcome drink. These three recipes offer a modern take on the classic, with American ingredients and flavors. Try one out and savor the flavors of the season.
FAQs
Q: What is the origin of the Negroni?
A: The Negroni is said to have originated in Florence, Italy in the early 20th century.
Q: What are the three components of a classic Negroni?
A: Gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
Q: What are some variations of the Negroni?
A: There are many, but the ones presented in this article are the Negroni Rosso, the NorCal Boulevardier, and the Smoking Count.
