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From the Knowledge Vault

The Flight of the Negroni

The Negroni is indomitable. Attack it with skewed ratios, and it rallies. Violate the ingredients, and it stubbornly persists. I can’t think of another drink that you can screw up so thoroughly and still enjoy the result.

This history of the Negroni is disputed, but probably dates to 1919, where the Americano was stiffened by substituting gin for the soda water. Regardless of exactly who created the drink and when, the Negroni is the King of bitter cocktails. If you spy a bottle of Campari on the backbar, the bartender probably knows how to make a Negroni.

Recent Additions

  • Putter Up — Blended Scotch, Passion fruit liqueur, Rich simple syrup 2:1, Lime juice, Grapefruit soda
  • 168 Hours — Brandy, Limoncello, Grapefruit bitters, Orange juice
  • Cravan — Bourbon, Maraschino Liqueur, Campari, Bitters, Grapefruit juice, Orange peel
  • Tin City — Brandy, Suze, Cassis, Lemon bitters, Lime juice
  • Devil Walking Next to Me — Batavia Arrack, Sweet vermouth, Salers Gentiane, Allspice Dram, Lime juice, Lime

Recent Discussion

  • Re Cravan, 3 days ago lesliec commented:

    Arthur sounds an interesting chap, and since we (almost) share a last name I had to try this.
    Lacking grapefruit, I used some orange/mango juice in an apple base (inherited from a deceased friend - don't imagine I bought the stuff), which I feel is sufficiently dada to go with the rest. But we liked the result!

  • Re The Modern Cocktail, 4 days ago Craig E commented:

    Good point!

  • Re Creeping Charlie, 5 days ago Shawn C commented:

    Very nicely balanced. The caraway/fennel/mint bridges the chartreuse. Herbal spearmint chewing gum and some white wine body with a little wormwood to finish, falernum (I used John D. Taylor Velvet Falernum) provides mouthfeel and rounds it all out.

  • Re Ties That Bind, 1 week ago drinkingandthinking commented:

    What are the odds that I would have Pineau AND China-China at the same time, not to mention Benedictine. This is amazing! It's like a Long Island Ice Tea for cocktail nerds. Complex, yet easy to drink and not get lost in any one flavor.

  • Re Miramar, 1 week ago iScrumhalf commented:

    had Havana Club Anejo (PR) and Worthy Park on hand so I gave this a spin. initially super fun, fruity, and funky. with increased dilution, it lost a bit of complexity but I’m willing to blame that on rum choice. still 4/5 and would try with different rums again