How best to describe the taste of a Negroni? Let me see. Bitter comes to mind first, as well as “herby” and a bit spicy. Certainly there is no sweetness here. Sounds like an acquired taste? It sure does. Actually your first sip might send you to the nearest sink to spit that “vile” drink out. Sounds like a repulsive drink, doesn’t it?
Wait though and take another sip, then another. getting better, huh? Before you know it you will be hooked on this delicious Italian concoction and wanting to mix another. Be careful, this stuff is strong. After first learning about it from the man himself, the ambassador of all foods and drinks Italian, Mr. Mario Batali who claims this is his favorite cocktail, it’s been one of the few cocktails that I make at home on a regular basis. The recipe here is not the traditional Negroni, but rather a very tasty variation I came up with to use some blood oranges I have. Figured the taste of tart semi-sweet blood orange juice will work great with the rest of the stuff as well as make it look very sexy and attractive. I was right on both counts. For a traditional Negroni, just omit the blood orange juice.
Blood-Orange Negroni
- 1.75 oz Gin (I like Broker’s)
- 0.75 oz Campari
- 0.75 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 0.75 oz Fresh Blood Orange Juice
Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice and stir while counting to 40. Strain into an ice filled chilled glass and garnish with a blood orange twist (regular orange twist is the traditional garnish for a Negroni BTW). Sip and enjoy slowly.
