Frozen Negroni

The story(ies) go something like this.  Sometime around 1919, Count Camillo Luigi Manfredo Maria de Negroni asked for something stronger than his usual “Americano”, a vermouth and Campari sprtiz, at the Caffe Casoni in Florence, Italy.   He had developed a taste for gin during his adventures in the American “Wild West”.  The bartender swapped the spritz for gin and the Negroni was born.  Except that the current day descendants of the noble Negroni family insist this Count never existed.  They promote that the truth, in fact, is that their ancestor, Count Pascal Olivier de Negroni invented the drink while in Senegal, West Africa, in 1860.  But Count Camillo did exist, and records show he did indeed live in America for a time as suggested.  He was also born on May 25, just a few year before my own birth on that same day (give or take a century), so I’m fond of him.  But in the end, it’s hard to know who really invented the first version of any of our classics.  The Negroni doesn’t appear in print until well after many of its supposed variations – so which really came first?  At least we have two “counts” of who really made it famous. 

The Frozen Negroni by Jeff Morgenthaler

While there are plenty of delicious Negroni variations to try, which are often created by simply substituting one or more of the basic ingredients while keeping the proportions equal, I’m sticking to a classic version this year – gin, sweet vermouth and Campari.  Although not quite – there is a slight twist to this one, which makes it the perfect summer time Negroni and one of the most delicious versions I have tried.  Invented by Jeff Morgenthaler, a cocktail virtuoso, author and bar manager of Portland’s James Beard nominated Clyde Common, the “Frozen Negroni”, like so many of his creations, takes something good and makes it even better.  Like any Negroni, with a few basic ingredients and simple proportions, this one is super easy to make so you don’t have any excuse not to try it yourself.  And it’s still Negroni week, so you’re practically obligated.  You can thank me later.  Good things come in threes – Cheers, Cheers, Cheers!!!

Good things come in threes ...

Jeff Morgenthaler’s Frozen Negroni:

1 oz Campari

1 oz gin

1 oz sweet vermouth

3/4 oz simple syrup

2 oz fresh squeezed orange juice

6 oz crushed ice

Blend until smooth and pour into a favorite glass. Garnish with orange slices.