Negroni - Perfect Equality

Negroni brings the balance.

Equality.  “The state or quality of being equal.” I want more of it. Equal pay. Equal division of
household labor – and equal parts cocktails. Out of all that listed -  an equal parts cocktail is the easiest to obtain and create when the former items are slow in coming.

I love equal parts cocktails – and the classic is the Negroni. It’s simple and well balanced while being sophisticated with few ingredients. The little black dress of cocktails. I fell in love with Campari and soda when I was studying abroad in Florence which is said birthplace of the Negroni. Supposedly the Negroni was invented at Cafe Cassoni in Florence in 1919. The lore goes that Count Camillo Negroni wanted something a little stronger than his typical Americano – and so the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, substituted the soda for gin.

Balanced Adulting

As I got older and wanted something a little stronger, like Count Camillo Negroni, I came to find the Negroni. You can order it anywhere - even dive bars have the necessary three ingredients. At home I’ve played around with types of vermouth and gin, my personal favorite is to use a London Dry gin - our house brand is Tanqueray. Regarding the sweet vermouth, in my mind nothing beats Carpano Antica. 

The Negroni shows the balance that can be obtained by equality. Maybe after tough days where I feel like everything is imbalanced it’s nice to have a drink where everything works harmoniously.

Negroni

1. 1 oz.  Gin
2. 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
3. 1 oz. Campari
1. Pour all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice --stir with cocktail spoon.  Strain and pour over one large ice cube in an old fashioned glass (my personal preference).  Typical garnish is either an orange twist or slice.

by Nicola O'Neil