Perfecting the Negroni

Over the last three years I’ve been on the hunt to produce the perfect Negroni. One of my favourite cocktails for a long time, it’s the perfect example of balance - sweet and bitter with a solid undercurrent of umami. 

Finishing touches @ Maybe Sammy

Typically a simple cocktail but difficult to land really well it’s a combination of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. While the 1:1:1 ratio is traditional I’ve long been a proponent of the 2:1:1 ratio I.e. 2x measures of gin to 1x Campari and 1x Sweet Vermouth. It just makes a better cocktail especially if you prefer it on the boozy side and don't want it too Campari forward. 

Sometimes dialling Campari and Sweet Vermouth up and down depending on ingredients for various different flavours and experiences.

My three favourite Negronis in bars to date have been:

1. Maybe Sammy - Possibly best bar in Australia

2. Coal and Cedar - Best Regional Bar

3. Gowings - Luxe Negroni

When at home I’ve landed on the following as the perfect Negroni for me. 

1. Monkey 47 Gin x Campari x Antica formula

2. Tanquary x Campari x Cocchi di Torino

3. Four Pillars spiced negroni gin x Campari x Antica Formula

Antica Formula v Cocchi

I find myself swinging between these two sweet vermouths primarily based on the flavour profile of the Gin. Cocchi has a much bolder Vanilla flavour which plays well with fairly floral Gin's. While the Antica Formula is more herbaceous and is ultimately a bit more subtle but much more complex.

Desert Island, I'd pick the Antica formula as my only sweet Vermouth.

The bar of entry to make Negroni's is low, all you need is a glass, a spoon and some ice. However if your pursuit is for perfection then this is a pretty good place to start.

Mixing Glass

Riedel

Go crystal or go home. Keeping it simple, you want a mixing glass that has at least 500ml and has a heavy base.

Jigger

Derrison Bell Jigger

Measure your booze with a jigger, I like a double ended with 30ml and 60ml to make things easy. Bonus points for measurement lines inside for when you don't need as much i.e. 15ml instead of 30ml.

Strainer

Barfly

Any strainer will work, you can use a hawthorn strainer but I prefer a tulip strainer for anything out of a mixing glass. This one is my favourite, simple and solid and it can go in the dishwasher.

Bar Spoon

Barfly

Bar spoons need to be long enough to stir the entire drink in your mixing glass. These spoons have a twisted shaft that helps with stirring and control making life a bit easier.

Glasses

Riedel

Again, this is an area you can spend a lot or a little. My preference is for something simple and classic. The Riedel Rocks glasses make for the perfect glass (Negroni's, Old Fashioned's and more).

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Perfect Negroni

Ingredients

• Monkey 47 Gin (60ml)
• Campari (25ml)
• Cocchi di Torino Vermouth (30ml)
• Sushi Rice (1 Tablespoon)
• Large Ice (for cooling glasses and chilling drink)
• Large format clear ice (for in you glass)

Instructions

1. Add Ice to your glass to start chilling, for best results chill your glass in the freezer overnight (impractical if you're indulging in several beverages).
2. Add the Sushi Rice to your Mixing Glass.
3. Add the Gin, Vermouth and Campari to the Mixing glass.
4. Fill the Mixing Glass with Ice and stir for 45 seconds
5. Discard the ice in you Glass and add Large format clear ice.
6. Strain your Negroni into your chilled glass
7. Peal Orange and remove white pith.
8. Express Orange peel over your Negroni, give it a twist and then add to the Negroni

Notes

Large Format Clear Ice - You don't need to use Clear Ice it is 100% aesthetic, however not using large format cubes of ice will mean the ice will melt faster thus further diluting your Negroni.