Did you know that September 10 was International Canned Cocktail Day? That’s right, you missed it. This year it fell on a Tuesday, which when you think about it, is probably the best day to celebrate canned cocktails. Nevermind, only 362 more days until you can give it another crack. I personally tend to steer clear of spirit-based celebrations, (I’m more of a Pancake Day man) however, each year I attack Negroni Week with gusto.
You see, Negroni Week is an endurance event – a far more civilized occasion than those relegated to a single day (here’s looking at you National American Beer Day (October 27)). Negroni Week runs from September 16 through 22, seven full days of festivity, so it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s been running since 2013 and since then has raised over $5 million for charity organizations. It’s also sponsored by Campari, one of the three ingredients necessary to make a classic negroni – a savvy business move indeed.
Those looking to celebrate should head to a bar during the week and order a negroni or two, raising a glass to this exceptional cocktail. While plenty of bars join in, I recommend heading to an Italian-style one. The negroni’s origins remain murky water, with plenty claiming to have invented it over the years, however it being an Italian staple is undisputed fact.
Those finding themselves in London should head to Il Gattopardo in Mayfair, a bar and restaurant inspired by 1960s Italy. At Il Gattopardo, they know a thing or two about negronis – in fact their drinks menu actually has an entire section dedicated to the classic serve, providing six different variations including an extra special vintage offering.
As a classic aperitivo drink, the negroni is ideally served before dinner, its pleasant bitterness helping to stimulate the appetite. While certainly delivering in the drinks department, Il Gattopardo also has the food covered. Its kitchen provides Italian classics like arancini, burrata, veal Milanese, and ham and mascarpone tortelli. Those looking to take Negroni Week seriously could even finish dinner with a few scoops of negroni ice cream.
This week for Cocktail of the Week, Il Gattopardo has suggested it’s Choco Negroni, a big twist on this classic serve that still uses all the classic ingredients, namely: gin, Campari and vermouth, with the addition of coffee, perfect as a pre-dinner pick me up. This recipe also calls for chocolate vermouth adding an extra element of sweetness and helping to counter the bitter Campari.
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Now with this cocktail you’re going to have to get a little bit chefy, but if any occasion calls for an elevated negroni with a little bit of prep work, surely Negroni Week is the time.
Ingredients:
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— Coffee-infused gin
— Campari
— Sweet Vermouth fat-washed chocolate
Method:
To make the coffee-infused gin, add 25g of coffee beans to a bottle of gin for three hours, strain and then store in a glass bottle. For the sweet vermouth fat-washed chocolate, melt 250g of 70% dark chocolate in a pan, add 1 liter of sweet vermouth, mix and store in the freezer for 12 hours. Then strain the vermouth with a cheesecloth until you get a clear product.
Once everything is ready, combine all three ingredients in a glass over ice in equal proportions. Stir until chilled. Stick on some classic 60s Italian music; I’d go for the soundtrack to the Italian film Amore Mio Aiutami and raise your glass to the beauty of the negroni.
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