Negroni is a cocktail of Italian origin, consisting of gin, vermouth, Campari, and an orange slice or peel.

Negroni

What is a Negroni?

Negroni is a cocktail of Italian origin, consisting of gin, vermouth, Campari, and an orange slice or peel. It is an aperitif to be drunk before a meal. The cocktail has a refreshing, yet bitter taste with sweet tones and a deep red color. It is one of the classic cocktails and can be found in most bars around the world.

  • It is also a highly experimented cocktail and can be adapted by changing the type of vermouth or swapping other base liquors for gin.
  • The name of the cocktail is taken from the name of the person for whom it was invented, Count Camillo Negroni.

The top 10 most popular classic cocktails are:

  • Old Fashioned
  • Negroni
  • Daiquiri 
  • Martini 
  • Whiskey Sour
  • Margarita
  • Manhattan
  • Mojito
  • Spritz 
  • Pimm’s Cup

Origin of negronis

The invention of the this cocktail is credited to Forsco Scarselli who was a bartender at Caffè Casoni in Florence. His friend, Count Camillo Negroni asked him to make his favorite cocktail, the Americano, stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. Scarselli did so and also replaced the lemon rind of the Americano with a slice of orange. The cocktail, invented in 1919, quickly became known as the Negroni. 

The Negroni family founded their own distillery in the same year, where they began to produce ready-made drinks known as Antico. The distillery is still in operation today, though the family is no longer the owner. Nonetheless, this cocktail remains quite popular and has spawned many variations including those made with prosecco, mezcal, and even coffee. 

Nutrition

This cocktail consists of different alcohols mixed together without any relief of juices and other herbs. Hence, this cocktail has a high alcohol content of approximately 24 percent ABV. One serving contains:

Overconsumption of large amounts of the cocktail can lead to several health problems, including affecting the brain’s functioning patterns and general lowering of immunity. Liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, stroke, and even different types of cancers can also result from drinking alcohol in excess amounts. 

Commercial production

This a popular cocktail in bars throughout the world. The classic recipe uses gin, vermouth, and Campari in equal proportions. Ice is first put into a mixing glass, and then, all the ingredients are poured into the glass. The mixture is then stirred until the drink is chilled uniformly. An orange slice or peel is added as a garnish before serving. 

Measuring all the ingredients so that they are in equal proportions is very important. Best practices also include choosing a high quality vermouth, and making sure to stir and not shake the cocktail. It’s also vital to store the ingredients correctly to ensure a smooth and delicious drink. Gin fares best in the refrigerator alongside vermouth, while Campari can be kept in a dry, dark place at room temperature.

Negroni recipes

This cocktail lends itself to experimentation. Here are a few delicious variations of the cocktail:

FDA regulations

Alcohol is regulated by the TTB in the US. Gin is classified as a distilled spirit with its main flavor being derived from juniper berries and having at least 40 percent ABV. Vermouth is classified as an aperitif wine made from grape wine. Campari is a brand name and can only be produced by the Campari Group.

References

  1. Negroni, Gin Foundry
    https://www.ginfoundry.com/cocktail/negroni-cocktail/ 
  2. Emily Saladino & Danielle Grinberg, Best Practices: Don’t Rush Your Negroni, VinePair
    https://vinepair.com/articles/dos-donts-negroni-recipe/
  3. Carol Galbicsek, Effects of Alcohol, Alcohol Rehab Guide, https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/alcohol/effects/