Cocktails Explained - The Negroni

Wednesday 25th July 2012, by Andy

The Grand Tour of Europe was a customary tour taken by young men from an affluent background which first became popular in the middle 1600's.  Essentially a posh gap year, it was seen as part of their education and although there was no set route it generally took in the main points of culture throughout Europe including Venice, Rome and Paris.

It was a tradition that continued into the mid 20th century, although the inprovements in transport made it more accessible to people of more modest means.  The Negroni is a spin-off of the Americano, originally called a Milano-Torino after the birthplaces of it's primary ingredients, Campari from Milan and Cinzano from Turin; it's name was changed to reflect the trend of American's taking 'The Tour' drinking them in abundance.

A long drink lengthened with the addition of soda water the Americano is not blessed with a high alcoholic percentage, certainly not enough for one Count Camillo Negroni, who requested it with 'a bit more kick'.  The bartender, thought to be Fosco Scarselli, fortified it with a shot of gin and the Count had a new favourite drink (that's how we bartenders role!).

It wasn't long before it caught on and people started ordering it using the name of the Count, and the legend lives on.

These days the soda is usually left on the side, or even better left out entirely, so just pour equal amounts of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth into an ice-filled rocks glass and add either a wedge, or a zest, of orange.

 

Cocktail of the Week - Chairman’s Rum Punch

Wednesday 25th July 2012, by Andy

Watch as I'm cast adrift in the Caribbean...

Well it wasn't all bad, they did give me a bottle of rum, oh and a driver.

View the Chairman's Reserve page for more rum videos

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