Bitter and twisted: How we all fell for the great Italian aperitivo

It’s been a common sight these last few summers: crowded terraces and bars around the country, spilling over with noisy groups of revellers sipping cheerily on lurid orange cocktails. And with Negroni week from 24-30 June, we're sure that the buzz around this summer staple is set to stay.

The popularity of the Negroni is evidence of an increasing trend for all things bittersweet. But where did this taste for bitterness come from?

Rohana Griffin, restaurant manager at POLPO Smithfield, explains that the trend goes hand in hand with an increased awareness for the Italian tradition of aperitivo. “These bitter drinks are perfect for enjoying before dinner to stimulate the appetite,” she says, “and people love coming into POLPO for a Negroni or Spritz”.

Loris Contro, national account manager and Italian brands ambassador for Gruppo Campari, says, “The aperitivo movement in the UK is growing, with friends meeting at the end of a working day to celebrate life with an aperitif while they enjoy nibbles in a true Italian fashion.” And it’s Aperol and Campari that are spearheading this trend, with sales of the former doubling between 2015 and 2016. Quoting recent research from CGA, Loris remarks that “Aperol Spritz and Campari's Negroni are the second and third most popular drinks for high-end consumers in London, after gin and tonic.”

So what makes a classic Negroni?

The classic Negroni is made from equal parts Campari, gin and red vermouth. We look at what each component adds to the drink.

Campari

It’s Campari that gives a Negroni its signature orange colour and bitter kick. Loris explains, “Gone are the days of the sickly-sweet Cosmopolitan in the 90s or the sugary Mojito’s popularity in the noughties. Consumers’ tastes are changing. They are taking more time over a drink and are starting to enjoy small plates, leading to the preference for the more complex and bitter-tasting cocktails,” he says.

Gin

The rise of the Negroni has gone hand in hand with the boom in craft gin and now allows bartenders to choose from a vast range of subtly-crafted flavours to include in their signature mix. Little Bird Gin is distilled in North Clapham and has a distinctively smooth, citrusy flavour. Co-founder Laura Sullivan says, “Little Bird is super in a Negroni as it doesn’t fight with the Campari or vermouth, it complements the other spirits but you can still clearly taste Little Bird and this is key!”

Vermouth

The key to making drinks like the Negroni so enjoyable is their perfect balance between bitter and sweet. And this is where vermouth comes in. Ian Baylis from vermouth brand Belsazar explains, “Consumers are no longer drinking those sweet, heavy (and blue!) drinks, they’re looking for something more balanced to enjoy. It doesn’t have to be overly bitter, and products like vermouth have a great balance, which can leave just a slight bitterness on the finish.”

Chapel Down's twist

Ingredients:

• 25ml Bacchus Gin
• 25ml Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
• 25ml Campari

Method

• Stir ingredients together
• Serve in a chilled rocks glass over cubed ice
• Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel