Anthony Bourdain made a career out of traveling the world discovering hidden restaurant gems and introducing people to dishes they’d never imagined let alone tasted. But ultimately he was a man who consistently found beauty in the simplest of things. He knew that you didn’t need to use a huge amount of rare and legendary ingredients to create something delicious — you just need a few quality ingredients and a skilled hand. This approach is perfectly exemplified by his favorite cocktail the Negroni.
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Late Night Eats: How to Make a Negroni with Anthony Bourdain (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon)
One of the most famous Italian cocktails the Negroni is a combination of three liqueurs — gin Campari and sweet vermouth — traditionally garnished with a bit of orange peel. Oddly enough Bourdain himself said he didn't enjoy any of the three on their own. In an interview with Barron's the late chef and author admitted that "they're three liqueurs that I'm not really interested in" noting that he didn't particularly like Campari but did like the other two. However he added "put them together with a slice of orange … it works." Bourdain admits that the first sip of a Negroni can be a little confusing to the palate but it's all about the three elements playing together.
Of all the drink’s ingredients gin should be familiar to any cocktail enthusiast; its colorless nature and neutral flavor profile make it one of the most popular and versatile bases for mixed drinks. There are a few variations of the Negroni that swap out the gin for another liqueur such as rum or bourbon (the latter variation is known as a Boulevardier) but the classic preparation always calls for the spicy spirit and a good Negroni needs a bold choice of gin.
Vermouth is a type of fortified wine that is flavored with various herbs and spices such as juniper berries anise and orange peel. For a Negroni it is important to use sweet vermouth to balance out the gin but sweet vermouth can still be made with a variety of ingredients and base wines. The specific brand you choose will play a large role in shaping the identity of your Negroni.
