TOP 10 Gins to Enhance Your Negroni Cocktail Experience

In the world of mixology, few drinks have captured the imagination quite like the Negroni. This iconic cocktail, with its strong, bittersweet, herbal taste, has been delighting imbibers since its inception in 1919 or 1920.

The Negroni was born in Italy, at Caffè Casoni in Florence, when Count Camillo Negroni asked bartender Fosco Scarselli for a stronger version of the Americano cocktail. In place of soda water, gin was used, and lemon was swapped for orange. This simple swap transformed the drink, creating a new classic.

The Negroni is an equal parts cocktail, made with gin, sweet red vermouth, and amaro. The choice of gin plays a key role in the final flavor of the drink. London Dry styles, such as Beefeater London Dry and Portobello Road No 171, are often favored for their rounded, balanced flavors.

For those seeking a twist on the classic, the White Negroni offers a refreshing alternative. This variation replaces Campari with Suze and uses a white vermouth like Lillet Blanc. The White Negroni was invented by Wayne Collins in 2001.

Tanqueray No 10, with its citrus-led botanical mix, adds a citrus character to your Negroni, picking up on the orange garnish. Plymouth Navy Strength, supplied to the British Royal Navy for almost 200 years, brings a bold style with a classic mix of botanicals, making a strong Negroni.

Malfy Originale, distilled near Turin, offers a zesty citrus freshness on the nose and palate, lending a lovely lemony lift to your Negroni. Rutte Dry Gin, made in the Netherlands, has a pleasing herbal note that complements the vermouth in a Negroni.

There are alternatives to Campari for a less bitter Negroni, such as Select Aperitivo. Oxley's cold-distillation using frozen citrus peels gives it herbaceous aromas with punchy citrus and dry spice, making it a bartender favorite in Negronis.

Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin, with botanicals including Tasmanian pepperberry, cinnamon, and ginger, is a favorite for a Negroni. Monkey 47, hailing from Germany's Black Forest, has a melange of fruit, spice, and herbs on the structured palate, making it particularly enjoyable in a Negroni.

Junipero, originally created by San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Company, has a creamy character underlined by rounded spiciness and fresh citrus, making a pleasingly punchy Negroni. Lastly, Oxley's gin, with its herbaceous aromas and punchy citrus and dry spice, is a bartender favorite in Negronis.

To make a Negroni, pour equal measures of gin, sweet red vermouth, and amaro into a mixing glass or shaker filled with ice, stir, and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. The dry amaro helps make the Negroni a good aperitif.

So, whether you're a seasoned cocktail connoisseur or just beginning your mixology journey, the Negroni is a must-try. Its rich history, versatile ingredients, and timeless flavor make it a staple in any bar. Cheers to the Negroni!

\n\nReference: - Negroni - White Negroni - The History of the Negroni Cocktail - The Best Gins for a Negroni