Molly's Recipes: The Negroni

Once consumed primarily by old-school drinkers in the know, the bitter, boozy Negroni has become a cocktail menu fixture with as many variations as there are bottles in a bar. The story of the Negroni begins at the Caffè Casoni in Florence. There’s no documented historical account but-

Legend tells that Count Camillo Negroni asked his friend, bartender Forsco Scarselli, to strengthen his favourite cocktail – the Americano – by replacing the soda water with gin. Scarselli added an orange garnish, rather than the lemon normally paired with an Americano, and the drink took off. Before long, everyone was coming into the bar for a ‘Negroni.’

Camillo Negroni himself was an interesting figure. He travelled around America while in his twenties and lived the life of a cowboy for a period. He also lived in London, which, we like to think, with its prevalent gin scene, led to him (perhaps inadvertently) creating one of the most iconic cocktails of all time.

The Negroni family was quick to take advantage of the cocktail’s success too, founding the Negroni Distillery in 1919, in Treviso, Italy, where they produced a ready-made version of the drink, sold as Antico Negroni. The distillery is still open today, under the ownership of a new family.

The Recipe

1 oz Woody Creek gin Shop Here

1 oz sweet vermouth Shop Here

1oz Campari Shop Here

Combine all ingredients in a yari with ice.

Stir and strain over a piece of block ice. 

Garnish with an orange swath. 

Woody Creek Distillery is located just outside Aspen, CO. What makes this place special is that they grow and harvest many of their own ingredients for their spirits for a true “grain to glass” experience. Woody Creek’s Roaring Forks Gin is our spirit of choice for the Negroni! 

https://woodycreekdistillers.com/

Sources: https://spiritsbeacon.com/cocktails/recipes/negroni-1