On Thursday, July 21st, 2011, close to 400 cocktail enthusiasts gathered today to witness and taste the “World’s Largest Negroni,” a massive 30-gallon cocktail made of equal parts Campari, Italy’s legendary red spirit, Beefeater 24 Gin and Martini Rosso Vermouth.
The festive libation was made on site to celebrate the “Year of the Negroni” and was presented in a handcrafted ice vessel. The high-spirited event, a highlight of the Tales of the Cocktail festival, was orchestrated by Master Mixologist Francesco Lafranconi and held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter. In addition, noted Italian bartenders from around the globe flew in to make their own highly distinctive Negroni variations at the event using fresh juices, rare Italian liqueurs and Prosecco sparkling wine.
In homage to the Negroni cocktail’s creator, Count Camillo Negroni, the bartenders dressed up to resemble him and donned aristocratic handlebar moustaches.
In the spirit of Negroni cocktails, Manhattan Cocktail Classic, and Tales of the Cocktail, CraveLocal gives you a taste of Negroni to try at home!
Classic Cocktails: The Negroni
- 1 oz. (30ml) Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin
- 1 oz. (30ml) Campari
- 1 oz. (30ml) Martini Rosso
Pour ingredients into a rocks glass filled with ice then stir and serve. Garnish with a slice of orange.
San Felice – By William Perbellini, Bar Toscana
- 1 oz. (30ml) Campari
- 0.5 oz. (15ml) Luxardo Amaro d’Abano
- 0.5 oz. (15ml) Martini Dry
- 1 oz. (30ml) Mionetto Prosecco
Stir over ice and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a sprig of verbena and orange slice.
Garibaldino Negroni Cocktail – By Livio Lauro (President, USBG)
- 1 oz. (30ml) Campari
- 1 oz. (30ml) Luxardo Apricot Brandy
- 1 oz. (30ml) Blood Orange Juice
- 1 oz. (30ml) Mionetto Prosecco
Build in a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with an orange slice & basil leaf.
L’ Apetta – By Marco Faraone
- 1 oz. (30ml) Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin
- 1 oz. (30ml) Campari
- 3/4 oz. (22.5ml) Punch al Mandarino by Varnelli
- 1/4 oz. (7.5ml) Varnelli Anice Secco
Stir over ice and serve straight up in a chilled coupe cocktail glass. Garnish with a grapefruit peel.
Toto – By Jacopo Falleni
- 3/4 oz. (22.5ml) Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin
- ½ oz. (15ml) Campari
- ½ oz. (15ml) Aperol
- ¾ oz. (22.5ml) Grapefruit Juice
- ½ oz. (15ml) Punch al Mandarino by Varnelli
- 2 Mists of Fiori di Sicilia Perfume by Amoretti
Shake with ice, double strain it in a rock glass over ice. Garnish with an orange slice and lemon peel.
Twisty Negroni – By Mauro Majoub
- 1 oz. (30ml) Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin
- 1 oz. (30ml) Campari
- ¾ oz. (22.5ml) Martini Dry Vermouth
- 5 Drops Varnelli Anice Secco
Stir over ice and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a slice of orange and lemon twist.
The Citroni – By Agostino Perrone
- 1 oz. (30ml) Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin
- ½ oz. (15ml) Campari
- ½ oz. (15ml) Luxardo Triplum Triple Sec
- ½ oz. (15ml) Luxardo Limoncello
- ½ oz. (15ml) Martini Dry
Stir over ice and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme and grapefruit peel.
Il Postino – By Francesco Lafranconi
- 1 oz. (30ml) Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin
- 1 oz. (30ml) Campari
- ¾ oz. (22.5ml) Averna Amaro
- 1/4 oz. (7.5ml) Luxardo Maraschino
Stir over ice and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a Castelvetrano green olive (get them at Whole Foods) by Miccio and grapefruit peel.