Celebrating the Negroni: The Perfect Adirondack Apéritif
Hand-made Negroni: Our version of the Miracle on Ice.
From September 16-22, 2024, bars and restaurants worldwide will be mixing classic Negronis to support the global Slow Food organization, a fantastic cause that envisions a world where everyone can enjoy food and beverage that is good for them, good for the people who produce it, and good for the planet. We’re also stoked because the Adirondacks and Negronis are two things we're passionate about that pair perfectly together.
Campari, gin and vermouth: A perfect combination for the Adirondacks
The classic combination of gin, Campari, and vermouth, with its unique mix of bitter, sweet, and herbal notes, fits well with the Adirondack's diverse character. Some say the iconic Italian cocktail is a miracle on ice - so what better way to kick off Negroni Week than by exploring how this beloved apéritif could be given an Adirondack twist?
The Negroni was invented in Florence over 100 years ago, and recently it’s been making a splash in some of the Adirondacks' best watering holes. Maybe that’s because its ingredients and unique flavor fit in well with the spirit of the Adirondack's wooded mountains.
A Negroni in the wilds of the ADK. The glass, btw, is from Pinecone Mercantile.
Juniper, a key ingredient in gin, gives the Negroni a refreshing herbal aroma, not unlike the scent of the white cedars, creeping juniper and ground juniper that grow in ADK woodlands.
Sweet vermouth provides notes of spice, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, and herbs.
Campari's robust and bittersweet flavor, with notes of orange peel, cherry, clove, and cinnamon, reflects the strong and resilient spirit of the people of the Adirondacks.
The Negroni's distinct taste not only satisfies your palate but also embodies the essence of the Adirondacks, where exploring the wild forests and mountains, enjoying pristine waters, tackling new adventures and discovering new flavors go hand in hand.
Making an Adirondack Negroni
Picture this: You're sitting on the porch of a cozy cabin, the sun is slowly setting on another spectacular day in the ADK, and you're taking in the serene natural beauty around you. Or perhaps it's a snowy twilight, and the pines outside your window sway with blustery winter winds. But you're tucked into your favorite chair before a glowing fireplace. In either scenario, it's time to unwind with a refreshing cocktail. What better choice than a ruby-red Negroni?
When it comes to making the perfect Negroni, we think nobody does it better than our favorite barista, Teobaldo. Now retired, he only does private events in Philadelphia or Martha’s Vineyard, where he summers.
He agreed to share his recipe exclusively with the readers of ADK Taste (just another way we are adding value to your life).
One note: Teobaldo’s recipe is a little heavier on the gin than traditional recipes, but we recommend you experiment with the ratios to find what suits your taste buds best. After all, isn't that part of the independent nature of the Adirondacks?
Ingredients for one Negroni di Teobaldo.
2 ounces gin
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Orange twist for garnish
Place several ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add ingredients and stir. Sorry, Mr. Bond, this drink is stirred, not shaken. Strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with ice (you can also serve "up"). Garnish with an orange twist. Cin cin!
A perfect Adirondack Negroni calls for great ingredients.
We recommend using a sweet (red) vermouth from Italy to maintain the cocktail's Italian roots. Our favorite brand is Contratto, made in Piedmont, a region famous for its wines and truffles. If your local wine shop doesn't carry it (ask; they might order it for you), it can be purchased on wine.com.
Campari is available in almost every liquor store worth a dang. The exact recipe for Campari is a closely guarded secret, but we know it contains around 40 different ingredients, including orange peel and cloves. Accept no substitute.
Photo courtesy Springbrook Hollow Distillery
Now, to give your Negroni an ADK twist, use a “Made in the ADK” gin from an Adirondack distiller.
One of our favorites is Springbrook Hollow Distillery's award-winning Sly Fox small-batch artisanal gin. It's available in liquor stores locally, at the Springbrook shop and tasting room in Queensbury, or online.
Lake Placid Spirits Blue Line Gin is distilled using "the crystal clear lake water of Lake Placid, the drinking water of the Olympic Village of Lake Placid." We’re unsure if that makes it the official gin of winter Olympic athletes, but it is locally made.
Drinking a Negroni this week may also help support a great cause.
Hundreds of bars worldwide observe Negroni Week by serving up their versions of the classic cocktail. In exchange, the bars will donate a portion of proceeds for every Negroni sold to Slow Food, an organization of local communities in more than 160 countries that seeks to change the world through food and beverage that is good for both people and the planet.
At least two ADK establishments are in on this creative campaign:
The Woodshed on Park — Tupper Lake
Boathouse Saranac Lake Pub — Saranac Lake
If you’re not in the Adirondacks, find a participating place near you to take part in this great cause by visiting negroniweek.com. Or, now that you have the world-renowned recipe for Negroni di Teobaldo, you can also mix one at home and donate to Slow Food online.
The Adirondack Negroni: your next Miracle on Ice?
The Negroni is the perfect blend of bitter, sweet, and herbal notes - just like the Adirondacks. So go ahead and give the Negroni a try on your next Adirondack adventure. From the first sip, you'll see why we think it's the signature cocktail of this unique and stunning destination.
Salute!
Please consume any alcoholic beverage responsibly.
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