Happy Hour Friday: Negroni

It's hard to say where this cocktail comes from or when. Some say it goes back as far as 1919 which makes it a true classic. It is enjoying a slight resurgence of popularity lately and that could be due to Americans new fascination with Italian herbal liqueurs, Campari being one third of the ingredients in this drink. I myself began a little love affair with Campari and Aperol while living in New York City a couple of years ago and am now on a slow journey to discover all of the varied Italian liqueurs I can get my hands on. A friend told me recently that Fernet Branca, a bitter liqueur I posted about recently, has become the darling of some gay communities and is being ordered as a shot at bars which I find hilarious as well as a much better choice than Jagermeister.

If you really dislike the taste of gin, stay away from Tanqueray and try Plymouth instead as it is much lighter on the juniperiness; let's just say it's not your mother's gin. Nevertheless, this drink is a sipper, not a gulper.

Negroni

1 oz. gin

1 oz. sweet vermouth

1 oz. Campari

orange twist for garnish

Stir in an ice filled mixing glass and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or an ice filled rocks glass. Garnish with and orange twist.