Negroni Week – Drink One for Charity…!
One of the old-guard classic cocktails, the Negroni, has been enjoying a resurgence as of late. You will find a version residing on almost any comprehensive craft cocktail menu at your watering hole of choice.
Launched in 2013 by the clever marketing team at Campari along with Imbibe Magazine, Negroni Week celebrates the cocktail and
raises money for various charities. The
2016 edition runs from June 6th through the 12th. The concept is simple: buy a Negroni and
proceeds are donated to a charity selected by the folks behind the bar. Last year alone, more than 3,500
establishments around the world raised over $320,000 for various charitable
causes.
Well done...!
So… what is the Negroni all about, anyway?
Like all classic cocktails, there is a story behind the
beverage (truth or fiction can never truly be divined). We travel in time back to Florence, Italy, in
the year of our lord 1919. A thirsty
gent brandishing the title Count Camillo Negroni walks in to the Caffè
Casoni and asks the bartender to replace the club soda in his Americano
cocktail with gin.
A bright flash of light came down from the heavens, and the
Negroni was born…! (pardon my
embellishment…)
Over the years, many variations on the theme have evolved,
but I will stick with the original. The
construction of the Negroni is simple, with 3 ingredients in equal parts.
·
1 oz gin· 1 oz Campari
· 1 oz sweet vermouth
· Garnish with orange peel
Pour all ingredients except the garnish in a rocks glass
with ice and stir. My optional addition
is 1 dash of orange bitters to crank up the citrus notes a notch. Please use a good quality gin, to preserve
your own well-being.
Cheers…!