What’s shakin, cocktail fans?
Welcome to Episode 181 of The Modern Bar Cart Podcast!
This time around, it’s our great pleasure to welcome back two of our favorite gin writers and educators, David T. Smith (@summerfruitcup), and Keli Rivers (@allofthedrinks). Just a few weeks ago, Keli was awarded Gin Magazine’s Brand Ambassador of the Year award for her work with Sipsmith Gin, and David was inducted into the Gin Magazine Hall of Fame, so it’s a big deal to have them both join us to talk about their co-written book that chronicles one of the most iconic gin cocktails of all time: the Negroni.
“Cool,” you must be thinking, one page book. Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Stirred. Orange twist. Boom, I’m outa here…
Well, it’s not quite that simple. Not only is there variation within the Negroni cocktail family, it has also spawned imaginative spin-off cocktails that use different spirits, vermouths, and aperitivi that either stay true to the “equal parts” tradition or strike out on their own path to mixological balance.
In this bitter and botanical deep dive with Keli Rivers and David T. Smith, some of the topics we discuss include:
The various origin stories of the Negroni – both the conventional story about count Camillo Negroni, and also some stunningly international accounts that cast doubt on when and where this cocktail was truly invented, and by whom.
What it’s like to assemble a cocktail book during a pandemic, and why Negroni turned out to be a timely tool for home bartenders affected by lockdowns and a lack of bars.
The three primary buckets that all Negronis can fall into: perfect ratio through formulation, perfect ratio through balance, and perfect ratio out the window.
Some of the more exotic or avant-garde Negroni recipes in the book, including Tiki Negronis, creamy Negronis, and even a Negroni served hot.
We learn the story behind Keli’s tattoo, the importance of having a bottled Negroni in the fridge at all times, the virtues of gin and cola, and much, much more
You can purchase your copy of Negroni by visiting this page and selecting your favorite retailer, or ask your local, independent book shop to stock the book. And while you’re at it, perhaps pick up a copy of David’s other books, The Gin Dictionary and Gin Tonica.
If you’d like to hear more from David & Keli on this podcast, check out Episode 60 – The Gin Dictionary and Episode 137 – RTD Revolution.
This episode’s featured cocktail is the White Negroni. This recipe actually kicks off an entire section of non-red Negronis in David and Keli’s book, and it’s a favorite cocktail of our, especially on a hot summer day. To make it, you’ll need:
1 oz / 30ml Gin (David & Keli recommend Hayman’s Gently Rested Gin)
1 oz / 30ml Suze (which is a bitter-sweet gentian liqueur)
1 oz / 30ml Lillet blanc (which is a slightly sweet aromatized wine featuring citrus and quinine notes)
Combine your ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until all ingredients are properly mixed and well chilled, then strain into a rocks glass over a single, large rock, garnish with an orange twist, and enjoy.
The first thing you’ll notice about the White Negroni is its stunning yellow color, which is as arresting to the eye as the bright red of a classic Negroni. The bitterness profile is similar, but a little different as well, with the gentian from the Suze and the quinine from the Lillet doing an interesting little dance on the palate. We find that the most fun time to break out a batch of white Negronis is when you’re visiting with friends who might be somewhat familiar with classic cocktails, but who have never tried Suze before – it’s always fun to watch them experience this flavor in action for the first time.
TAKE YOUR CREATIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
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