I wanted to start off this Negroni Week with something bright and festive, so what better way than with sparkling wine!
This is a beverage that I know a lot of you will love, especially if you prefer a dry-style cocktail. I had debated for some time whether I wanted to add sugar to the mix. But then I came up with an even better and easier solution for my community. Try the recipe as is, and if it’s too dry for your palette, throw in one white sugar cube into your flute glass, soaked with a few drops of orange bitters. Approach it as you would with a champagne cocktail and watch the sugar dissolve into sheer bliss.
In addition, I decided to replace the typical sweet vermouth that’s found in the classic Negroni recipe with a dry vermouth. I did this so the cocktail can stay fresh and light on the palette. Now if you’re ever low on dry vermouth, don’t fret, I found Lillet Blanc worked wonderfully here as well!
Now if you’re new to the whole notion of Negroni Week, it’s a movement that started in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine and Campari. In honour of celebrating one of the world’s greatest classic cocktail, they created this initiative to bring awareness to a number of charities around the world. They have since been able to raise $1.5 million for charities world wide, and the popularity for Negroni Week continues to grow!
How people can contribute to the cause is by visiting participating bars and venues that are listed on the Negroni Week website here. Since Liquid Culture has no physical bar, I decided to create a different initiative that allows followers to participate form the comfort of their own phone. With every 100 likes in each of the Negroni Posts this week, I’ll be personally donating $10 to a chosen charity. To follow along and participate, make sure to follow my Instagram posts and stories for details.
In the meantime, whip up this festive cocktail to get this week started on the right foot!
Negroni Spritz
A delicious, sparkling Negroni to get Negroni week started off on the right foot!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Ingredients
- 2/3 oz London Dry Gin
- 1/2 oz Campari
- 1.25 oz Dry Vermouth
- 3 oz Sparkling Wine Preferably Dry
- 1 twist Orange Zest
- 1 White Sugar Cube Optional
Instructions
In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, campari and dry vermouth and give it a short shake
Strain into flute glass and top with chilled champagne or sparkling wine
Recipe Notes
As I mentioned above, if you prefer a slightly sweeter cocktail, toss in 1 white sugar cubes soaked in orange bitters. Let that dissolve in your glass and enjoy!
