The Lazy Negroni
Here’s a secret: despite my writing this column and my reasonable comfort behind a bar, in my family, my boyfriend is definitely the bartender. He paid his way through school mixing cocktails and is much better at it than I am. This isn’t to say that I can’t make a fun cocktail as well as he can, because I totally can, but it’s his ease with the simple things where you can tell that he’s the true professional. Like Italian food, sometimes you don’t need to do something crazy for the best result. Sometimes you just need a couple good ingredients and then let them do the talking.
This is a great example. A classic negroni is too, and if you like strong bitter drinks (and Lord knows I do), then a negroni is a delicious option. Made of muddled lemon peel, vermouth, Campari and gin, it’s a glorious cocktail and worthy of a column on its own.
This drink takes those ingredients and turns them into something a bit easier to sip on, and one that can be made for one, but is best made in a pitcher and served for a crowd. It is legitimately one of the easiest drinks you’ll ever make, and also one that is deeply refreshing and complex enough that isn’t out of place to serve on a cold January night. Like right now.
- 3 oz Campari
- 3 oz Gin
- 1 can Italian Lemon Soda (like San Pellegrinos Limonata)
Fill a pitcher with ice.
Pour in the Campari and gin, then top with the lemon soda.
Serve immediately, and make more.