The Negroni cocktail has been a favorite among bartenders and patrons alike for years. In 2022, it secured the top spot on Simon Difford’s list, surpassing the Old Fashioned. Many of us believe we know everything there is to know about this classic drink.
In late 2022, our magazine reviewed Gary Regan’s guide on Negroni, assuming it was the definitive resource for discussions among ourselves and with guests. Little did we know that Luca Picchi, a Florentine bartender and historian, was finalizing his book “Negroni Cocktail: An Italian Legend” in 2014. Published by Giunti Editore in July 2015 and available in English, it has since become an essential read for Negroni enthusiasts.
A Deep Dive from Page 45
Trust me, read the book from cover to cover, then revisit sections relevant to your interests. The table of contents is a valuable guide. Detailed study begins on page 45.
The Book Structure
The book is divided into three parts. The first, “Count Camillo, His World and Style,” has four chapters that immerse you in early 20th-century Florence, the story of bartender Fosco Scarselli, and his guest Count Camillo Negroni. It explores the origins of the Negroni cocktail, a topic as debated as the chicken-or-egg question. Luca fairly presents both possibilities: whether Count Negroni requested gin in his Americano or Fosco Scarselli suggested it.
The Negroni’s Origins
If you’re short on time, focus on the second, third, and ideally fourth chapters, which are the essence of the book. You’ll learn that the exact date of the Negroni’s creation remains uncertain, ranging from 1917 to 1920. The author speculates, without certainty, that Count Negroni himself might have introduced gin, reflecting his British roots.
Key Historical Points
In 1904, Count Negroni returned from the United States to Italy and married Prague native Ante Zazworkova. In 1934, Caffe Casoni became Caffe Giacosa, and Fosco Scarselli moved to Golf Club dell’Ugolino. Scarselli later gained fame for protecting art from Nazis and receiving a gold medal in 1962 for his role in creating the Negroni cocktail, though his claims lacked concrete evidence. Fosco Scarselli died on November 16, 1963.
Classic and Twisted Negroni
The second part, “Negroni: Twisted and Classic,” covers mixing techniques and notable variations of the Negroni, such as the Cardinale, Negroni Sbagliato, Boulevardier, Hanky Panky, and Negroni Insolito. The next chapter lists Negroni twists by renowned bartenders like Salvatore Calabrese, Simone Caporale, Dale DeGroff, and Peter Dorelli, showcasing the global bartending community’s relentless creativity.
Additional Information
The book’s final section acknowledges the sponsors, including gin, Campari Bitter, and Martini & Rossi. While this may raise eyebrows, it doesn’t diminish the book’s informational value.
