Thirsty Thursday: The NEGRONI

Well it's Thirsty Thursday Folks and Time for us to share with you the Drink of the Week. This week we are shining the Spotlight on the Negroni.

We chose the Negroni after reading In the Dec '09/Jan '10 Issue of Men's Journal on the last Page titled "Survival Skills", that Anthony Bourdain's favorite Drink is a NEGRONI. Bourdain says that the Negroni is his favorite drink that was taught to him by Mario Batali and that this simultaneously ruined and improved his life!!

The base alchohols of the Negroni are Gin and Campari. It's widely considered an aperitif, a pre-dinner cocktail intended to stimulate the appetite although it can be enjoyed at any time. The most common legend is that it was invented in Florence, Italy when Count Cammillo Negroni in the 1920's ordered an Americano Cocktail and asked the bartender to add Gin.

New Orleans Modern Drunkards, Steve, Ryan, and Eric, tested this cocktail at the Bridge Lounge in Uptown and at Bar Tonique in the Outskirts of the French Quarter. At the Bridge Lounge, Styles crafted this Drink using Beefeater Gin and it was a bit light but nice. At Bar Tonique, Christine crafted her Negroni's with Plymouth Gin which added a more fragrant flavor and she also openes the orange twist by burning it which helps add a light fruity finish. Overall, I, Eric, liked it cause it was a light cocktail.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1 1/2 oz Campari
1 1/2 oz gin
orange slice or twist for garnish

Preparation: Pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes. Stir well & Garnish with the orange slice

Try it out and let us know what you think!!