Cocktail of the Week: San Clemente Palace Negroni

By Olivia Cuccaro

San Clemente Palace Kempinski Negroni

2 oz Bombay Sapphire gin infused with 3 crushed juniper berries
2 oz Carpano Antica Formula vermouth
Aperol granita: 1/2 cup Aperol, 3 cups pink grapefruit juice, 6 cups water, 1 cup sugar, 2 strips of grapefruit zest
Orange crumble: 2 cups almond flour, 2 cups Flour 00, 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup candied orange zest

To create our cocktail of the week, dip the rim of a martini glass in simple syrup and then into the orange crumble. Place the flavored ice granita sphere in the center of the glass and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Strain the berry-infused gin then mix with vermouth and serve.

Venture to Venice for this week’s cocktail. Now open for the start of spring, San Clemente Palace Kempinski is featuring the classic cocktail to kick off the new season. Sip your cocktail in the elegant Clemente Bar or, in the summer, take in views of the lagoon with an alfresco cocktail at the Garden Bar. In the grand tradition of Italian aperitivos, enjoy the negroni, Executive Chef Vincenzo di Tuoro’s favorite pre-dinner cocktail, before ordering the hotel’s own signature dish – Parmesan cheese tortellini with cream of Venetian calf’s liver and onion consommé.

“I aimed to create a perfect balance of textures, both in terms of temperature and its ingredients,” said the resort’s executive chef Vincenzo di Tuoro in speaking to Elite Traveler. “To achieve that, the frozen sorbet is combined with the orange peel at room temperature, while the caramelized orange peel ensures a perfect crunchy consistency to the cocktail.”

Situated on its own private Island in the Lagoon of Venice, San Clemente Palace Kempinski is just a short private boat ride from the Piazza San Marco. The historic property is surrounded by a centuries-old park and church as well as antique courtyards. For your stay, be sure to book the recently unveiled San Clemente Suite. From the former monastery, the suite features dark wood ceiling beams contrasted by large windows offering panoramic views of Venice, the lagoon and courtyard. The 2,045 sq ft suite also includes king-size beds, full kitchen, living room and can be extended to the five adjoining Navigante Junior Suites, the Navigante Suite and the Marco Polo Suite, for eight private bedrooms and a private pier suitable for yachts. Guests of the San Clemente Suite receive exclusive transfer service on the hotel’s boat from the Venice airport and complimentary breakfast.