The Impossible Negroni

The Negroni is a popular Italian cocktail, that has seen a newfound popularity over the past couple of years. This bitter, herbal drink is made from equal parts gin, vermouth and Campari, served over ice and garnished with an orange peel. Properly made the Negroni is stirred, not shaken, and built over ice in an old fashioned or ‘rocks’ glass. My version differs slightly in that I had no vermouth so I substituted the Lillet.

About the ingredients

About Campari

Campari is a spirit comprised of a blend of complex flavors, the most prominent from the bittersweet orange, with notes of cherry, clove, and cinnamon. While it’s taste and smell is a lot like Aperol, Aperol has an alcohol content of 11%—less than half that of Campari and Aperol is less bitter in taste.

About Lillet

Lillet is a French wine-based aperitif from Podensac. It is a blend of 85% Bordeaux region wines and 15% macerated liqueurs, mostly citrus liqueurs. The mix is then stirred in oak vats until blended. The Bordeaux-based French aperitif Lillet is often categorized with vermouth. Although it is very much a category of its own, it does behave like a sweet vermouth.

About Hendrick’s Gin

Hendrick’s is one of my favorite gins. It’s unusual in that it’s created from eleven different botanicals which include infusions of rose & cucumber resulting in an exquisitely balanced gin.

How to create The Impossible Negroni

If you don’t have Lillet or Hendrick’s in the house you can substitute the gin and vermouth for the Lillet. The Campari, however, is a must, and the essential component to the Negroni.

Serves 2

2 oz Vermouth or Lillet
2 oz Gin

2 oz gin

2 peels of orange (Lemon can be substituted)
In a large class or shaker

Fill a large glass or shaker with ice and equal parts of the campari, gin and Lillet (vermouth) and stir well.
Pour into 2 double old fashioned (lowball) cocktail glasses filled with ice cubes.
Garnish with orange peel and serve.

Cheers!