The Negroni was chosen solely on the basis of it’s looks. In the hunt for a drink made with gin, this beautiful drink with a deep red base, tapering off to clear soda at the top, looked so bright and refreshing it was hard to resist. It reminded me somewhat of the Shirley Temples my parents would order for me at restaurants when I was attempting to feel adult while they sipped cocktails at the table.

That is perhaps an overly sentimental reason to make the drink, but make it I did. Perhaps because of this reasoning, I neglected to note the fact that the drink is composed primarily of bitters before it was too late, so the contrast between the candy-sweet appearance and the biting taste was quite surprising.

1 1/2 oz gin
1 1/2 oz Campari
1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
soda water

Shake all ingredients but soda water and strain into highball glass filled with ice. Fill with soda water and garnish with lime.

This was my first experience with Campari, and I am as yet undecided as to how I feel about it. It wasn’t bad, but neither was it what I expected it to be. Blame that on my limited experience or on my preconcieved notions, but this drink was tasty once I got past the initial surprise of the bitters mixed with club soda. Though it unfortunately ruins the beautiful gradiation of color, stirring is necessary to get the Negroni to its best flavor.