A Negroni is an Italian apéritif made from equal parts gin, Campari and vermouth.
Legend has it that the Negroni was invented at the Caffè Casoni in Florence, in 1919. It was supposedly named in honor of Count Camillo Negroni, whose request for an Americano with gin led to the creation of a brand new pre-dinner drink.
Variations on the classic Negroni -- which is traditionally garnished with a curl of orange peel -- include the American version, with sparkling water and lemon. Other Italian versions substitute spumante brut or vodka for gin. A Sparkling Negroni is made with Champagne or prosecco. A Negroni Zimbabwe is made with orange juice.
In 1919, the Negroni Family opened the Negroni Distilleries in Treviso, manufacturing a ready-made Antico Negroni 1919 formula.
What kind of salt should I use to line a margarita glass?
What kind of salt should I use to line a margarita glass?
To line a margarita glass, we like to run a lime wedge along the rim and dip it into coarse sea salt. Kosher salt has light, flaky and irregular crystals that play nicely off the cocktail's flavors. Or you could use fleur de sel for a slightly more delicate taste and feel. Steer away from fine table salt, which is too salty and lacks texture. And don't bother falling for the marketing gimmick of branded "margarita salt".
Related article: How to choose tequila (Cookthink)
Related article: What is tequila? (Cookthink)
Related article: What's the difference between tequila and mezcal? (Cookthink)
Vermouth is fortified white wine that's been infused with herbs and spices.
The word vermouth is from the German word for wormwood (wermut), which was a main ingredient until somebody decided it was poisonous. Vermouth was first commercially produced in Turin, Italy in the 18th century and now most vermouth is produced in Italy and France. But people have been making fortified wines since the 5th century.
Vermouth ranges from dry to sweet. White dry vermouth is a popular apéritif and used to make a martini; sweet red vermouth is drunk on ice or mixed into cocktails like a Manhattan; white bianco vermouth is slightly sweet.
Vermouth is also used in cooking, primarily to add an herbal wine-flavored touch to sauces.
What's the difference between light and dark rum?
What's the difference between light and dark rum?
Rum is a liquor made from both fermented sugar cane and its syrupy by-product, molasses. The rum is aged in casks of various materials which determine its final color.
Light rum (also called silver or white) is fermented in steel and filtered and has a clear color and a light, slightly sweet taste. Gold or amber rums are aged in oak, which produces a more caramel color and richer, more pronounced flavor. Rich, caramel dark rum is made by aging clear rum in charred oak casks, giving it a deep brown color and a full flavor. Note that spiced rum, which is flavored with spices and (often) caramel, does not qualify as dark rum.
