Negroni Week kicks off on September 13 and Gin Loot’s resident spirits specialist Tim Laferia has given his tips on creating the ultimate Negroni to celebrate.

The Negroni is a quintessential gin cocktail with a big, bold and bitter flavour profile. The classic Italian aperitif cocktail with a gin kick was originally created in 1919 for Count Camillo Negroni, who asked for a stronger version of the Americano – a combination of vermouth, Campari and soda water – so the bartender subbed out the soda in favour of gin.

And the rest, as they say, is history!

The Negroni has a strong, bitter and herbaceous flavour profile that divides the population. It’s like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. Negroni Week is an annual celebration of the famed drink.

“One of the biggest mistakes people make with a Negroni is the sweet vermouth – remember that sweet vermouth is a fortified wine product that deteriorates over time,” Laferia suggested. “Make sure you store it in the fridge once opened and consume within two months. 

“Also, many recipes call for different garnishes. Always use either an orange peel or an orange wedge. The orange wedge will give you a sweeter, more rounded cocktail, while an orange peel results in a brighter, more aromatic drink.

“If you don’t have a mixing glass or mixing tin that is fine – the drink works well making straight in the glass as well. The benefit of straining over new ice is bigger ice cubes that will keep your drink colder for longer and make it less watery.”

Here’s Tim’s favourite Negroni recipe:

The Gin Loot Negroni

30ml Kangaroo Island Spirits O’Gin 

30ml Campari

30ml Sweet Vermouth 

Garnish – Orange Peel

Cubed ice

Instructions

1. Add all your ingredients to the mixing glass/tin.
2. Fill mixing glass with cubes of ice.
3. Stir for 30 seconds – 1 minute (until the mixing glass/tin is frosty).
4. Strain into an ice-cold old fashioned glass over cubes of ice.
5. Garnish with your choice of orange peel or an orange wedges

Kangaroo Island Spirits O’Gin 700ml RRP $84. Available online at ginloot.com