DISTILLED
PHOTOGRAPH: MARIAN WEYO/SHUTTERSTOCK
The story goes that while drinking in Florence’s Casoni Bar in 1919, Italy’s Count Camillo Negroni wanted something with a bit more oomph than his usual americano (Campari, red vermouth and soda). A savvy bartender switched the soda for gin and the rest is history. The cocktail’s popularity has rocketed recently thanks to the craft gin movement and a resurgence of love for bitter flavours. This deep-red, boozy and refreshing drink is an Italian barman’s choice of tipple after a long, hard shift, so why wouldn’t it be your go-to as well? A negroni is served in a rocks glass over ice, with orange peel or wedge for garnish. It’s a potent, refreshingly bitter tipple best enjoyed as an aperitif.