Some cocktails, over the years, have abandoned the welcoming walls of the bar to transform into something more noble; to the point of becoming symbols thanks to cinema; music and festivities.
Examples abound, from the Bond-esque “Shaken, not stirred” Martini to the sweeter, creamier White Russian, the “intellectual” property of the Dude in “The Big Lebowski”. But this deep black hole that connects Christmas to the end of the year? A long celebration, which for many begins on December 23 and ends on January 2.
For a long time I have tried to give a taste to this period made of warmth and colors, of lights that dance in the streets and mix with the scent of spices and citrus fruits in the air. The real problem of this search is intrinsic. Those like me who emigrated to follow their dreams will know very well that every corner of the boot has its traditions, its flavors and its rituals. But I was looking for a red line that could connect us all, without distinction from north to south… and it was in red that I found the answer, always before my eyes.
It's the Negroni. The perfect cocktail for this occasion is the Negroni. It is – almost always – an intense ruby red color, its taste is enveloping like a warm family hug, it combines at the same time three strong and different characters such as bitter, the sweetness of Vermouth and the decisiveness of gin – just like mothers who try not to ruin the convivial ritual of the “lunch of the 25th”. It is warm and warms your heart as only the holidays can do and last, but not least, in the third place you believe that Santa Claus exists. – ed., this ironic cross-section is not an incitement to alcohol abuse, on the contrary you should always drink responsibly. Even if: “clear yes or clear no I will take away your license anyway and you won't see it again for 3 years” cit-
The story of how the Count Camillo Negroni invented - or perhaps discovered - the cocktail of the same name, we told you about it some time ago; on the occasion of the anniversary of Giacosa 1815. However, to best embody the many facets of the beautiful country we could not stop at the classic recipe; it would have been like talking about panettone while forgetting about pandoro.
Here are the twists of the most classic of Christmas cocktails collected around Italy.
Atrium Bar– Four Seasons Hotel Florence.
It is impossible not to start from the city that gave birth to this legendary cocktail. The first version is the one proposed by Edward Felsini, bar manager of the Atrium Bar at the Four Seasons in Florence. This hotel has always had an all-encompassing approach to Christmas with grand decorations, lunches, dinners and brunches.
The Vintage Negroni it is the distillate that contains the true spirit of Atrium Bar. It is the result of aging in small oak barrels of a perfect blend, soft, bitter but unexpected, which embraces the scents of the Giardino della Gherardesca and the centuries-old history of the hotel. The recipe includes 2cl of Bombay Sapphire, 3cl of Vermouth Mancino Rosso, 3cl of Bitter Martini Riserva, 2cl of Liquore Arancia Lunae.
Azotea - Turin
At cNikkei Cocktail Restaurant in Turin Azotea, the bar manager and partner Matteo Fornaro constantly experiments with new recipes behind the bar. In the very rich drink list, with 25 cocktails and 6 mocktails, there is room the Adriatic NegroniThe recipe was born from the bar manager's goal: to create a drink that is reminiscent of everything the Negroni, without using the three key ingredients of the international recipe. This explains the use of Amaretto Adriatico, a liqueur made with toasted Apulian almonds, coffee and cinnamon infusions, sea salt and a reduced sugar content, Cynar Proof 70°, an artichoke liqueur with an important alcoholic and bitter component, and Amaro Amara, a Sicilian bitter produced with the best peels of Sicilian PGI Red Oranges, which replaces the traditional citrus slice and is infused with cocoa beans. To complete the recipe, an air of Adriatico almond milk and smoked Maldon salt. The drink, although different from the original, is reminiscent of the alcoholic intensity, bitterness and softness the Negroni.
Romeo Bistro and Cocktail Bar– Verona
In the center of Verona, a 13th century church is brought back to life with tropical-style furnishings, becoming the bistro & cocktail bar of Andrea Cason and Marco Cosenza. At the helm of the counter, Edward Bully and his team offer two menus: on the lower floor, immediate drinks paired with bistro dishes; on the upper floor, signature cocktails that range from innovative techniques, such as ultrasound extractions and rotovapor, and the use of local raw materials selected by local chefs. Among these we find the Christmas drink, a concrete twist on the Negroni.
Composed of 4cl Special Christmas Vermouth (Created with a local red wine from the Valpolicella area, which is flavored with spices and fruit from Brulè), 3cl of Bitter Campari, 2cl of London Dry Gin concludes a dash of Chocolate Bitter. The inspiration comes from one of the great classics of these holidays, Vin Brulè, a typical Venetian product that is served on the street or in the characteristic outdoor stalls.
The Bar Aman Venice– Venice
Located on the first floor of the Papadopoli building, which houses the starred restaurant Love Venice, The Bar is an elegant mixology oasis led by the talented Anthony Ferrara. With the largest selection of gin among Venetian hotels, it offers a warm and refined atmosphere, inspired by the spirit of Lord Byron. The cocktail list combines twists on classics and original creations, linked to the history of the palace and cared for in every detail, from preparation to presentation. Just like their very personal twist on the Negroni; designed to be rich in nuances but easy to drink, it is made with 5cl of Gin Engine, 4cl Bitter Fusetti and finished with 3cl of black pepper cordial.
Gucci Garden- Florence
In Piazza della Signoria in Florence, the Gucci Giardino is the Maison's café and cocktail bar. Inspired by an old florist in the square, the place combines the distinctive codes of the brand with the Florentine atmosphere and is the exception that confirms the rule. In this case, in fact, we go outside the canon of "Christmas red" for a twist that is more than noteworthy. It is obviously the Mémoire of Negroni singular variant created for Gucci Giardino from the award-winning Martina Bonci.
The recipe calls for combining 3cl of GinArte, 3 of Bitter Luxardo Bianco, 3cl of Martini Riserva Ambrato together with 5ml of Yuzu Sake and 3 dashes of Grapefruit Bitter Truth in vacuum-sealed bags. A Butterfly Flower is then added to each of these, left to rest for at least 24 hours under vacuum before being filtered and bottled. The result is a cocktail with an intense purple color, whose complexity is revealed sip after sip.
Moebius – Milan
Housed in a former textile warehouse renovated with an industrial-chic aesthetic, Moebius combines cuisine, cocktails and music in a dynamic and contemporary environment. The cocktail bar boasts a selection of bottles and a cocktail list that ranges from refreshing highballs to more robust drinks, with original creations such as the “Pesto Martini”, inspired by a family recipe from the head bartender Giovanni Allario or like his Gremolada Negroni total homage to the Milanese capital.
Born from Giovanni's desire to make his Negroni as Milanese as possible, this twist is made up of the classic triumvirate that guides the traditional recipe – Gin, Campar, Red Vermouth – to which is added a Milanese Gremolada (parsley, rosemary, lemon zest and oil).
Usually used to accompany ossobuco alla milanese – or risotto – this preparation gives, thanks to the use of oil, a very high roundness to the drink; stabilized thanks to the use of a Dry Vermouth that goes to “cut” the Rosso mitigating not only the oiliness of the oil but also the sweetness of the entire drink.
The cocktail is served with a puffed rice chip and saffron salt that make it even more Milanese; as much as possible.
Giacosa 1815– Florence
We return for one last time to the Tuscan capital and this time we do it to pay homage to the past, to the traditions and to the history that for a little over a year now seems to be repeating itself. We are obviously talking about the house ofThe Negronis, Giacosa 1815, which shines with its own light and authenticity thanks to the stubbornness of the Valenza family (owner in the city of the historians Caffe Gilli, Paszkowski, and Move On) who entrusted the command to the sheriff Luca Manni, is gradually recreating the myth.
Among the many twists on the “Count” of cocktails, we chose the Purple Rain, with its vegetal, smoky and buttery tones. The drink was born from the combination of flavors between Coconut and Carrot. Glendalough coconut oil and Amaro Lucano meet with a delicate touch of orange carrot broth -95%- and purple -5%-. The drink is then completed with smoked milk and whipped with its soft texture.
For find the best one? You just have to try them all. Happy New Year to all.
