The perfect Spring Negroni

So where do Negronis originate? Well, Italy is the short answer.. but the drinks history include a count, a bartender with limited creative flair and a love for oranges.. and probably a wench or two in the mix, but thats not really relevant.

Anyway, the most widely reported account is that it was first mixed in Florence, Italy, in 1919, at a place called Caffè Casoni. Our hero in this story, Count Camillo Negroni became an inadvertent drinks legend by being a lush. I am sure his family hoped their name was going to be immortal through trade or gold, but no, through cocktails.

Old Camillo want more punch to his favourite cocktail ( like I said, a lush..) so asked the bartender, a chap called Fosco Scarselli, to strengthen his favorite, the Americano, by adding gin rather than the normal soda water. The bartender also added an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano to signify that it was a different drink - not huge on creativity, but we are thankful nonetheless.

A Mari Negroni

1oz A Mari Indian Ocean

1oz A good Amaro- we like Antica Formula

1oz Campari

Stir the above over ice, then add to a tumbler full of ice. Garnish with a twist of orange rind.