This week's happy hour quaff comes to us from Casa Nonna in New York City, and is a spin on the classic sporty Italian aperitif, The Negroni. The Negroni is said to have been created in Florence, Italy in 1920 when Italian aristocrat and trendsetter Count Camillo Negroni asked his local publican to add some gin to the then-trendy Americano cocktail. The Americano—Campari, sweet vermouth, and a splash of soda—was particularly popular in Italy post-WW1, when pro-American sentiment was high. The Count’s namesake drink soon became an Italian cocktail classic. Fun fact about the Count: For a time he made his living as a rodeo cowboy in the U.S.
The Casa Nonna version swaps out the gin in favor of some aromatic Hangar One Mandarin Blossom vodka, and trades the Campari for the slightly less bitter Aperol. Cin cin!
Negroni Blossom at Casa Nonna
1.25oz Hanger One Mandarin Blossom
1.25oz Aperol
1.25oz Lillet Blanc
Stir and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.