The Negroni Cocktail

The Negroni: A Simple and Sophisticated Recipe Wrapped in Mysterious History

In the world of cocktails, few concoctions are as elegant and simple as the perfectly balanced Negroni. The timeless allure of this classic cocktail rests in its blend of bitterness, sweetness, and strength. If you’re searching for a drink that combines easy preparation with complex flavors, look no further. The Negroni, with its rich history and simple elegance, deserves a big spot in your cocktail repertoire.

The Classic Negroni Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz Quality Gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz Sweet Vermouth

Steps:

Pour the gin, Campari, and vermouth into an ice filled rocks or highball glass.
Stir the contents.
Garnish with an orange peel.
Some prefer to top the drink with a splash of club soda.

The Birth of the Negroni

Our journey begins in Florence, Italy, in the early 20th century. The tale goes that Count Camillo Negroni, a well-traveled hustler, gambler, and cowboy—no one knows for sure!—sauntered into the Tuscan Caffè Casoni. The Count asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to stiffen his favorite cocktail, the Americano, a mixture of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water, by replacing the soda with a hearty pour of gin. Scarselli also swapped out the Americano’s traditional lemon garnish for an orange peel. And so, as the story goes, the Negroni was born.

A Military Twist

Members of the Negroni family think that the story above is a big ole pile of rubbish. They claim that the Count Camillo Negroni never actually existed (although his name is on an 1892 New York ship manifest) and that the true creator of the Negroni cocktail was General Pascal Olivier de Negroni de Cardi, Comte de Negroni. Try saying that three times fast.

General Pascal Olivier de Negroni, who was born in Corsica in 1829 and served in Africa and Mexico with the French army, is said to have invented the cocktail in the 1850s or 1860s (Fun fact, Campari wasn’t invented until 1860, but we’ll let that slide). The story goes that the General requested a stronger version of a drink while stationed in Saint Louis, Senegal or, according to another version, during his time in Corsica.

Despite the intriguing link to General Pascal Olivier de Negroni, the consensus among cocktail historians leans towards the hustler Count Camillo Negroni, primarily due to more substantial documentation and the timing of the cocktail’s appearance in literature and bar menus.

But to be clear, General Pascal Olivier de Negroni did exist and the guy was no slouch. He had a distinguished 44-year military career with the French army and played a notable role in the Franco-Prussian War, earning the Officer of the Legion of Honor for his valor at the Battle of Wörth. He eventually retired as a brigadier general and a Commander of the Legion of Honor, and his claims to creating the Negroni are supported by a letter to his brother and corroborated by local accounts. So if it were up to us, we’d give the nod to the decorated military officer over a fake Count.

Simplicity Meets Sophistication

But back to the drink. What sets the Negroni apart for mixologists and enthusiasts alike is its elegant simplicity. The traditional recipe calls for equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, served on the rocks with a slice of orange. This triad of ingredients, each complex in its own right, harmonizes into a cocktail that is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s a testament to the beauty of balance in mixology, where no single ingredient overshadows another. Moreover, this subtle sophistication helped the Negroni to become a staple of Italian aperitivo culture, serving as a social, pre-meal drink meant to stimulate the appetite.

The Negroni’s Global Spread

The pathway of the Negroni to America can largely be attributed to the cultural exchanges between Italy and the United States throughout the 20th century. American travelers, Italian immigrants, and returning soldiers brought with them a taste for Italian cuisine and cocktails, including the Negroni. Its presence in American bars and Italian restaurants grew steadily, with the cocktail culture boom and a resurgence of interest in classic cocktails. Eventually, the drink wove itself into the fabric of America’s cocktail culture.

Pop Culture

Everyone knows James Bond loved his martinis, but in Ian Fleming’s short story “Risico,” Bond made a notable deviation and opted for a Negroni, specifically requesting a cocktail to be made with “one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, and one part Campari, with a slice of orange.” This introduction to a broader audience, and Bond’s reputation as a connoisseur of fine drinks, inspired curious readers to try it for themselves.

Orson Welles, the legendary American actor, director, and writer, contributed to the Negroni’s allure as well. While in Rome in 1947, Welles sampled the Negroni and offered his endorsement, famously remarking to the Coshocton Tribune, “The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other.” This blend of humor and insight from such a respected figure in the arts helped cement the Negroni’s reputation as a sophisticated drink.

The Negroni’s Enduring Legacy

The Negroni has not only stood the test of time but has also inspired countless variations, from the Negroni Sbagliato (with sparkling wine instead of gin) to the White Negroni (with Suze and Lillet Blanc). Each iteration pays homage to the original while inviting new palates to explore its depths. Moreover, the cocktail has enjoyed a resurgence in the 21st century, celebrated annually with Negroni Week, where bars worldwide craft their renditions to raise money for charity.

While Caffè Casoni has faced its ups and downs, the bar today has been resurrected as the wonderful Caffè Giacosa. The next time you’re in Florence, embrace tradition and order yourself a Giacosa Negroni, a mix of Porter’s Classic Gin, Mancino Vermouth and Campari.

A Celebration of Simplicity

In the end, the Negroni encapsulates the art of cocktail making. Its true sophistication lies in its simplicity, and that the best cocktails are those that tell a story. The Negroni speaks of history, of adventure, and of the timeless quest for balance, both in cocktails and in life. More than just a cocktail, it’s a bridge between past and present, and we honor its legacy by sharing its story and savoring its nuanced flavors. So, here’s to the Negroni—may it continue to inspire and delight for generations to come.