Hello Gin Lovers! From now, we think Friday should be cocktail day. Without further ado, here is our inaugural cocktail: a Hertfordshire Negroni! So, let’s make some!
A couple of Negronis along with our Negroni gift set
WHAT IS A NEGRONI ANYWAY?
Legend has it that the Americano was invented in Florence as a way to squeeze more alcohol into a drink: a bartender realised he could markedly improve the Americano cocktail by replacing boring soda water with delicious gin. That’s the kind of wise bartending decision we approve of!
HOW DO I MAKE ONE?
The recipe is easy: fill a low tumbler with ice. Add 50ml Campari, 50ml Red Vermouth, and 50ml of Gin. The three-way combo is unbeatable: bitter, curative aromatics from Campari, musky herbal smoothness from the Vermouth and zesty, clean fragrance from the gin. By the way, if you want all this stuff perfectly arranged and measured, do take a look at our Negroni set over at our website!
WHICH GIN SHOULD I USE?
Ours of course! But more specifically, we think Garden City Centenary Gin is the best choice: it has a robust, dry and citrusy fragrance which cuts through the complexities of this full-flavoured drink. PLUS, it has a prominent Italian bergamot finish, nicely tying in with the cocktail’s classy Italian origins.
HOW DO I GARNISH MY CREATION WITH SOMETHING WILD AND UNUSUAL?
A piece of orange – curled or sliced is a pretty crucial part of a Negroni. (Don’t worry our kit comes with some orange.)
After that, why not have some fun experimenting with picking some fresh flowers or foliage? Our top recommendation at this time of year is a showstopping spire of buddleia!
HUH?
Buddleia. You know? Butterfly bush? This stuff is everywhere, has a beautiful scent of honey and orange blossom. Butterflies love buddleia so much that, if you enjoy your Negroni al fresco, they might well land and treat your glass like a butterfly buffet.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE / AM TOO LAZY TO BUY THE INGREDIENTS?
Don’t know if we mentioned it, but we have a kit! A wonderful negroni gift kit with all the gin, vermouth, campari and orange you need to make the perfect Negroni. We’ll even deliver it to your door.
To buy, Just head down to our distillery at Coleman Croft, on the Osprey Site, Woodcock Hill, AL4 9HJ. Or you can order online.