What is it about the Negroni that’s so alluring? Is it the neon red colour, its history, the simplicity of the 1:1:1 template, the depth and complexity? Or all of those and more. How did a cocktail mixed almost as an afterthought and a relative diversion of an existing cocktail rise to such meteoric fame?
The negroni has managed to capture so much attention across the globe and has had so many iterations of its original formula of equal parts campari, sweet vermouth and gin, that it is interesting to trace back its history. Legend has it that in 1919 a certain Count Camillo Negroni walked into Café Casoni in Florence, asking for a stiffer version of the Americano. The bartender replaced the soda with gin, and thus was born the greatest cocktail ever, the negroni, a concoction of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and campari.
Let’s check out some of the best places to have a negroni in Florence, its birthplace. The Florentine bar scene is vibrant with bartenders mixing craft cocktails with élan. It is rather interesting to note that the gin wave in Florence is also at a high, with the rise of several craft gins like Winestillery, Sabatini Numquam, and Peter in Florence. The region’s juniper is one of the best in the world and gin makers have leveraged this aspect, along with the lending of subtle notes like olive leaves, lemon verbena, wild fennel and other botanicals.
Here are some must visit for a negroni in Florence:
Caffè Gilli
It’s fair to start our journey here as this is the oldest bar in Florence and regarded an institution. One of the greatest experts of the negroni is bartender, Luca Picchi whose passion in making the perfect negroni is unmistakable. Luca has authored the book, ‘Negroni Cocktail – an Italian legend’ on his beloved subject and mixes up numerous riffs on this extraordinary cocktail, though his classic is peerless. The place itself has an old-world charm, having been founded by a Swiss family in 1733, initially as a bozzolari, or doughnut shop.
Manifattura
Located in Piazza San Pancrazio, one can find a captivating dialogue between plants and architecture here. The place exudes a charm that is quintessentially Italian chic meets ‘50s retro. They use only Italian products which makes it even more interesting as well as authentic and have an excellent gin selection. One could try a few variations of the negroni along with a few amaro-based cocktails on the menu.
Atrium Bar, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
This dreamy sanctuary of elegance is enveloped by a palpable sense of beauty. Edoardo Sandri, Head Mixologist, a true Florentine, harbours a real passion and curiosity for mixology. The best way to enjoy his Negroni is with the sweet strains of the piano playing in the background and taking it slow.
Locale
Inventive cocktails in a 1500s palazzo with a 13th century basement. Now if that is not promising enough, not sure what is. Stepping inside this lovingly restored old world Concini Palace, brimming with character, one is swept away into the Florence of the past. Bar Manager Matteo di Ienno mixes drinks with a deft hand and his cocktails are complex and compelling. A great alternate to the classic (even for the negroni purists) is the Ghost Negroni, an iteration which is distilled to appear transparent, but is replete with all the trappings of the real negroni.
Rasputin Secret bar
Finishing this negroni tour in Florence at Rasputin would be ideal. A speakeasy secret bar inspired by czarist Russia, Rasputin exudes an extraordinary vibe with its vintage décor and sense of mystery. The Victorian-style living room is straight out of a story book and the range of cocktails are seductive. The negroni here is served in a mini version as a welcome drink and the adventurous must certainly try their Boulevardier, a famous riff where gin is replaced by whisky.
Florence is a city that is bursting with art and culture, but the dining and bar scene here is superlative. The best way to enjoy the famed aperitivo hour where one can try a range of cocktails, including the negroni, is to embark on a guided tour. Writer & sommelier, Coral Sisk is known to curate a unique Aperitivo Tour in Florence where guests get to experience the Italian craft cocktail culture in some unique places with a range of tastings and one on ones with award-winning professional mixologists. Spanning 2-3 hours, these incredible Aperitivo Tours may be booked in groups or on an individual basis and start at 5.30pm.
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