Chronicle Editor
My first encounter with alcohol was hard liquor. it was not my choice . . .
It never tasted good, my option was to “dash” it. Those were my college days in Harare, I was so much and still am connected to a lot of folks.
It was once upon a time that when I started writing I was introduced to liquor. It was Viceroy and we used water to calm it . . . if you get what I mean.
My uncle/cousin, the one that introduced me to alcohol, made me sit in a corner with a friend whom he so much revered and somewhat acknowledged my presence in the media industry.
All, or every other time I was made to sit lonesome while partaking in “wise waters”.
It was during those years that he would buy an air ticket and we would travel and drink till to our/his heart’s content.
Thereafter, our relationship, grew . . . if you know him, he dances with a bottle of beer on his head.
He has introduced me to various alcohol and international people. My first interaction with liquor was when I was 23 years old and I have enjoyed it since.
Anyway, in the forthcoming weeks I shall be introducing a range of liquors and cocktails that will blow your mind out.
Last week I wrote about the Negroni, a deluxe cocktail that will leave you numb, in terms of alcohol.
This is a classic Italian cocktail that has been enjoyed for years and is quite a rare feat in most bars.
It is an ideal cocktail to open a meal, the Negroni is a bittersweet palate cleanser that makes way for the evening’s delights.
To enjoy the cocktail, you may want to have a bottle of sweet dry wine to keep you on the edge.
The cocktail is made of one thimbleful of gin, one thimbleful of vermouth (red, semi-sweet wine) and one of thimbleful Campari and garnished with an orange peel, which goes directly into the cocktail
Mind you this drink can be taken with ice or in its warm state, which is highly recommended.
The Negroni is considered an aperitif.
Let me school you on the word aperitif: An aperitif is an alcoholic beverage usually served before a meal to stimulate the appetite, and is usually dry rather than sweet.
And the Negroni is highly recommended to stimulate your appetite.
The Negroni, for a person who enjoys bitter sweet drinks I will rate this with eight stars as I rated it last week. Surprisingly this article is well read but there is a lack of interaction.
When taking the drink, you don’t necessarily have to rush through it but sip, understand and enjoy it.
Maybe try sipping and letting it melt into your body would do you so much good, as you may want just one drink before your meal.
The Negroni’s history is really much unknown but as the liquid chef said as he constantly studies cocktail history the Negroni originates from Italy but can be found across the globe.
So the reason for repetition about this drink is because the drink is winter oriented and groovy.
“The story is that it was concocted by a member of the Negroni family asking the bartender to strengthen the Americano (cocktail) by adding gin, rather than the normal soda water.
“The bartender also added an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano to signify that it was a different drink.
“After the success of the cocktail, the Negroni family founded Negroni Distillery and produced a ready-made version of the drink, sold as Antico Negroni in the early 1900s.”
A good friend of mine, whom I “hardly” drink with said he would love a Negroni, he said the bitters are excellent for your liver, while the gin may be bad but the combination exudes an excellent balance.
Till next week, have a blissful and tipsy weekend.
If you have an establishment and think your drink has what it takes to be profiled, WhatsApp me on 0772337433. REMEMBER alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age of 18 and let’s not forget to drink responsibly.
derick.khumalo