Classic Negroni
Sweet. Bitter. Boozy.
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the popular television series Mad Men? I watch very little television, but I got hooked on Mad Men two years ago when I discovered the series on Netflix. I fell in love with the show instantly–the arrogant, overly proud, daytime booze-drinking male characters, and the promiscuous, fashionable, and tenacious female characters won me over.
I binge watched the series for days, holed up in my dark basement on the couch, disheveled and grungy from not showering. I’ll admit, it was kind of gross, but there I sat, wide-eyed, staring at the screen as I crunched on salty snacks and peanut m&m’s.
“Press A to watch another episode.” And so I did, over and over for days.
I was heartbroken when I came to the end of the series. No more Don Draper, Peggy, or Joan. No more office sex scenes, angry banter, and daytime boozing. No more late nights gripping the remote control. And so I showered.
Life went on, but it wasn’t the same without my daily evening rendezvous with my favorite dapper gang.
After a long, drawn-out break, AMC is finally wrapping up the series. The premiere of the final episodes begins this Sunday, and I couldn’t be more excited.
To celebrate the the premiere of what I consider to be one of the best damn series ever created, several Mad Men obsessed bloggers have joined forces to throw one hell of a going away party. I’m talkin’ booze, food, and a pretty sweet vintage-inspired giveaway.
Won’t you join us?
Since the entire cast was permanently fixed with a cocktail glass in their hand, I, of course, made a classic that appeared often in the show: the classic negroni.
If you’re not familiar with the classic cocktail, it’s an equal-parts blend of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. That’s three different types of alcoholic beverages, folks.
It’s a bold, boozy drink for major-league drinkers. It’s a cocktail meant for sipping, not guzzling. I nursed my cocktail glass for an hour before my negroni was no more.
I highly recommend using a London dry style gin for this cocktail. I used a floral-style gin (it’s what I had in stock) during my first test run, and the result was overly floral and aromatic. Because sweet vermouth is also herbal and aromatic, the floral-style gin doesn’t work in this case. Definitely stick with the London dry gin for your negroni.
If you’re hardcore and want to hang with the big dogs, this classic negroni is the way to go. It’s equal parts sweet, bitter, and aromatic. But, most of all, it’s boozy.
Classic Negroni
This classic negroni cocktail is equal parts sweet, bitter, aromatic, and boozy.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce London dry gin (such as Tangueray)
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
Directions:
Add all three ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to a rocks glass and add a large ice cube.
29 Comments on “Classic Negroni”
I love Mad Men and I’m so excited! Joan is the BEST. Hands down!
Joan kicks major ass. She is one heck of a red fox–smart and pretty.
This might be calling my name.
I think I hear it :)
I’m a Negroni virgin but I think you’ve convinced me to give one a try. Lovely!
I was before this recipe. It’s so boozy! Thanks.
I watched Mad Men for a few seasons and then sort of forgot about it! haha lame. Looks like a fantastic drink to celebrate the start of the season! Have a wonderful weekend lady!
Thanks, Ashley!
I too binge-watched Mad Men while looking grungy and gross. I think it’s the rite of passage that new Mad Men fans all have to go through because once they’re in, they’re in. No dilly dallying about the show. THIS IS MAD MEN.
Me while binge-watching and Netflix asks, Continue Watching? OF COURSE NETFLIX I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WATCHING THIS SHOW. WHY IS THIS EVEN AN OPTION.
To be honest, I haven’t heard of a negroni before, but this looks pretty awesome. Excited for the new season!
I like that, “rite of passage.” That’s exactly what it is. You can’t help but sit on the couch and watch episode after glorious episode. You’re right. Netflix needs to get it together. Thanks so much!
So excited that it’s starting this weekend! I didn’t even realize it until I was over at The Lemon Bowl earlier. Wahoo! This cocktail is perfect for the occasion!
Thanks, Nicole!
I realllllllly need to start the season over! It’s been far to long and I only got maybe half way into the first season! You photos are gorgeous, very unique styling ;)
Thanks so much, Gwen. I need to start from the beginning too–a little refresher course.
Your experience with your discovery and binging of Mad Men is much like mine. I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, so I had a little more freedom to hang out all day without showering. Actually, that was pretty normal at the time. ;) I’m sad to see it go, but it’s for the best. Better now than when it jumps the shark.
Great vintage drink! I’m finding a lot of these are sippers instead of guzzlers. Our parents and grandparents paced themselves better than we do. ;)
I’m ashamed to admit that working from home has me skipping showers. It’s not a priority when I don’t have to leave the house. Also, I work in my pjs. Yes, this is definitely a cocktail that deserves respect and skills in moderation. I was tipsy after one. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I can’t freaking wait for Mad Men to start again!!!
I’m sure you’ll be loving it with this negroni! Sounds awesome
I totally showed the show some love with a negroni. Thanks, Nicole!
I like Peggy
Beautiful cocktail! I love your photos! It’s going to be sob city around here when the show ends, but I agree it’s the right time — seven seasons and one decade, plus Netflix so we can re-live our favorite episodes, which I will (already do!). Cheers!
Thanks, Aimee! You’re right, tears will be shed–lots of tears. I’m not looking forward to the end of what I consider to be the best dang television series since Friends (in my opinion).
“Sweet. Bitter. Boozy.”
I read that and thought, “That sounds like me!” haha! It’s a wonder I don’t drink negronis more often because I do love gin and yours is simply a stunner! I hate the feeling of watching the last episode of a series during a binge watch; I cried during the last episode of Friday Night Lights; that whole series took me two weeks and I was a wreck. If you have any good series to binge after Mad Men is done, I’m open to suggestions!
Your comment cracked me up. Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I don’t know what I’m going to do after Mad Men is over. It’s going to be Friends all over again–a huge void. I’m so not ready. Currently, I’m addicted to House of Cards (it’s a Netflix series) and Scandal. Good night, they’re both so addictive.
Haha, I love this! I went on the SAME Mad Men binge over Christmas break this year. I had actually already seen the series on TV, but I was re-watching. I’m embarrassed to admit how many episodes I watched each day (and how few showers I took). The show just sucks you in like that!
You’ve inspired me to want to try a Negroni again. I have all of the ingredients, and have tried them in the past, but they’ve been a bit too bitter for me. I’ve used Bombay Sapphire, so perhaps I should try a different gin? I’m not sure!
The show totally sucks you in. You can’t help but hit “watch more” over and over. Next thing you know, it’s 2am and it’s only you and a bag of chips on the couch. The bitterness is coming from the Campari. I would try using less in the recipe, maybe 3/4 oz. I’ve used Bombay (it’s one of my go-to gin choices) and don’t consider it to be overly floral in this cocktail. I would definitely try reducing the amount of Campari. Let me know when you try it.
Jennie, which glassware are you using in that picture? It’s a beautiful coupe…
This flavor just needs to take a small sip, our spirit is like flying like a bird in the flappy bird game. really wonderful.
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