Dookes is not a great drinker.
This is partly a result of age, I just can’t consume any volume of beer without being at most three steps away from a toilet these days, plus I really don’t like how alcohol disrupts my sleep pattern.

That said, I do occasionally enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail, BUT…it has to be a damn fine glass of wine or a proper classic cocktail. I want none of that silly paper umbrella and sparkler “Pornstar Martini” nonsense, nor wine that could alternatively be used as paint stripper!
I work on the basis that if I am going to suffer later, then the cause needs to be incredibly worth it!

Earlier this month, I was amused to notice that some bright individual had designated this week as “World Negroni Week.” Amused because it does seem to me these days that there is always some sort of “World _____ Week/Day” (fill in the blank as you see fit) doing the rounds.
Now as you might expect. “World Parsnip Day” or “International Air Frying Week” doesn’t really cause me much excitement, but as a Negroni is one of a very small few cocktails that I REALLY like , my attention was grabbed!

OK, Dookes, all very interesting, but what exactly is a “Negroni?

Well, its very simple really, it’s a drink made of equal measures of Gin, Orange Bitters and Red Vermouth, stirred together in a glass with a couple of ice cubes and served with a slice of orange or simply a twist of orange peel. It’s a lovely aperitif.

The origins of the drink are a little clouded, but it is thought to stem from Northern Italy where a popular “Apero” is the “Milano-Torino”; Campari (in Milan) or Amaro Cora (in Turin) and Vermouth Rosso. The drink become a bit diluted by American tourists in the early 20th Century who added soda water to it, causing the local bartenders to call it an “Americano.”
The story is that a Count Camillo Negroni, by all accounts a somewhat flamboyant, but dubious character, was in the famous Casoni Bar in Florence and asked for a bit more punch to his “Americano” so the bartender swapped the soda water for gin.
By all accounts was a hit and people started asking for “one of Count Negroni’s drinks”, and that was simply shortened to a ‘Negroni.”

All that nonsense aside, when I saw the “World Negroni Week” headline, it did make me think when I last had one…and I honestly couldn’t remember!

To remedy that state of affairs, I have decided that this evening Dookes H.Q. will raise a glass to the wonderful concept of “World Negroni Week.”

I’ll be mixing mine with equal 25ml measures of:

Aatta Gin, a local gin to us and a delightful birthday gift last year from my mate “Vifferman.”
Martini 1872 Bitter.
Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino Vermouth di Torino.

As I said at the beginning, it has be be good stuff for Dookes!
Cheers!

“So, join me for a drink, boys
We’re gonna make a big noise”

Catch you soon,
Dookes

PS I have no affiliation/association with any of the products listed in this post, other than as a paying consumer.