SK — Happy Negroni Week

It's Negroni Week! Equal parts charity, celebration, and drinking. If you've never heard of it, go out and drink one. It's really one of the most popular classic cocktails out there: boozy, slightly bitter, revitalizing, it's excellent. It's made from gin, Campari (the bitterness), and sweet vermouth. With a 1:1:1 ratio, it's also incredibly easy to make. Just stir them on ice and then serve up or on the rocks (my preference, and I think the more popular way). Garnish with an orange twist.

There are a ton of variations/related drinks, most easily made by swapping out one spirit for another. Bourbon instead of gin, and you have a Boulevardier. Sparkling wine instead, and a Negroni Sbagliato. You can alter the bitterness by subbing some or all of the Campari for Aperol. At my work we do a version with Cazadores tequila instead of gin.

What I'm really interested in, though, and have yet to try, is an Old Pal. 2oz Rye, 0.75oz Dry Vermouth, 0.75oz Campari, served up. No garnish. Obviously related to the Boulevardier, it seems like it'd be quite a bit drier (rye and dry vermouth vs bourbon and sweet). Hopefully that means it would stick around in the glass longer—I've seen many a Negroni be knocked back far quicker than you'd expect, especially for a drink that is straight spirits.