I continue my ode to Italian Heritage Month with another offering. But, today is not about food; it is about a drink. While a cappuccino, Aperol spritz and Limoncello are probably the first few drinks that come to mind, there are others. You could have a amaretto sour, bellini, disaronno (on the rocks or in your coffee) or even a digestivo finocchietto (fi-no-key-et-o) that is made from fennel. I know it may sound strange, but it is absolutely delicious! While I love all of these, especially the easy to make/drink summer treat of an Aperol spritz, my go-to, especially after a long day, is a classic negroni.
It’s not hard to make, but make sure you have quality ingredients; namely, a good gin and a quality red vermouth. Then, all you need is an orange and some Campari. “What if I only have Aperol on-hand (after making some spritz in the summer)? It’s orange, kinda like Campari.” Listen, go out to the liquor store and get yourself some Campari. It’s darker, slightly more bitter, and is Campari’s more serious cousin from Northern Italy. Stir it all together; sip and savor the end of your hard day by having learned a new cocktail.
Negroni Classico
2.5 oz Hendrick’s gin
2.5 oz campari
2.5 oz Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
Orange
Add some ice to a cocktail shaker or mixing glass.
Pour in the gin, campari, and vermouth. Using a spoon, stir gently for about 30 seconds.
Set out 2 rocks glasses, placing a large ice cube into each.
Using a strainer, pour the mixed cocktail evenly among the two glasses.
Using a paring knife, slice off two 3” long rinds from an orange. If you get too much pith (white part) under the rind, carefully slice it off. Twist over the glass, and place it into the drink and serve.
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Copyright 2023, Brendan McCann, All Rights Reserved.
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