Stirred Up Stories: The Negroni - Italy’s Bitter-Sweet Legend

Few cocktails wear their history on their sleeve like the Negroni. Equal parts bitter, sweet, and strong, it’s a drink with attitude — perfect for those who like a little complexity in their glass.

But how did this iconic Italian cocktail come to be? And how do you master it at home? Let’s stir up the story.

The Origins: A Count’s Bold Request

The Negroni’s birth is widely attributed to Count Camillo Negroni, an adventurous Italian aristocrat with a taste for stronger drinks.

Around 1919, at the famed Caffè Casoni in Florence, the Count reportedly asked bartender Fosco Scarselli to strengthen his favourite cocktail — the Americano (which combined Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda) — by swapping the soda water for gin.

The result? A perfectly balanced, boozy cocktail that quickly gained a loyal following, eventually taking the Count’s name.

How to Make a Classic Negroni

Ingredients:

• 30ml Gin

• 30ml Campari

• 30ml Sweet Vermouth

• Orange peel, for garnish

• Ice

Method:

1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.

2. Pour in the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

3. Stir gently to combine.

4. Garnish with a twist of orange peel — expressing the oils over the glass before dropping it in.

   
   

Variations to Try

• Negroni Sbagliato: Swap the gin for sparkling wine for a lighter, bubbly twist.

• Boulevardier: Use bourbon instead of gin for a richer, warmer flavour.

• White Negroni: Replace Campari and vermouth with gentian liqueur and Suze for a bitter, pale alternative.

Why It Works

The Negroni is a masterclass in balance — the bitterness of Campari, the sweetness of vermouth, and the botanicals of gin come together in perfect harmony. It’s an aperitivo classic that wakes up your palate and gets the conversation flowing!

Slán go fóill.