It is considered one of the best cocktails, especially in summer. So much so that if the New York Times also noticed it and elected him “Elisir in the summertime". What are we talking about? Del Negroni, considered a good drink to be enjoyed alone or in company. Its secret? Well we can say it is a drink that combines a long tradition with the innovation of new preparations. But above all it is all Italian and with its own history behind it.
100 years of Negroni, an Italian drink
It must be said that the celebration of the prestigious American newspaper does not come by chance. In fact, this year the Negroni celebrates 100 years. For this reason, the New York Times dedicated a detailed article to him, to celebrate this anniversary and to baptize him as "perfect cocktail for 2019". A praise that then comes a few weeks after an authentic slating by the American newspaper. In fact only in the month of May the New York Times he had considered Aperol Spritz not a good cocktail. All this had sparked a real revolution among social networks. Instead this year the celebration of the Negroni. We reveal the reasons.
Appreciation from the US
It was defined by the American newspaper as “The perfect cocktail for 2019”. And there to sing the praises. We talk about the "refreshing but also bitter qualities of the drink". The fact that it is made up of Campari, vermouth and gin. “The perfect elixir for a summer afternoon” considers it. And then what better praise than that of Orson Welles who tasted it in 1947 while he was in Rome, for the filming of "Cagliostro". “Bitters are good for the liver - he said - gin is bad. They balance each other ".
The centenary of the Negroni also celebrated in America
So to celebrate this important milestone, there will be a special event in America. In fact, at the end of June the centenary will be celebrated with a “Negroni Week”. A charity initiative. The bars and restaurants will mix Negroni for charity and solidarity. From kitchens for the homeless in San Francisco, to shelters for abandoned animals. To then move from Lambda Legal for gay rights, to the Colorado Water Trust for environmental protection.
The long history of an all-Italian drink. How the Negroni was born
According to tradition it was the count Camillo Negroni to invent it. He was a character of the Florentine nobility. It is said that in 1919 the aristocrat returning from the Wild West asked his friend Fosco Scarselli of the Casoni grocery store in via Tornabuoni to "strengthen" the usual American. It was a cocktail made with vermouth, bitters and soda. She pointed to the bottle of gin. The barman then substituted the soda liqueur, the orange slice with lemon peel.
The many quotes
He remembers besides Orson Welles also James Bond. In the Risiko episode of the “For Your Eyes Only” collection he renounces his traditional Vesper Martini for a Negroni. The film is from 1961: Bond is in Rome and while he is waiting for a secret agent he has to meet, he orders a Negroni, also specifying the name of the gin, Gordon's.
And for those wishing to enjoy it in the summer, here's how
For a good Negroni they are needed 3 cl of gin, 3 cl of Campari, 3 cl of red vermouth. Then pour all the ingredients directly into the Old fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir and finally decorate with half an orange slice. Good tasting.
