I have to apologize for a potentially misleading title, I unfortunately won't have an in depth guide on how to acquire a Negroni, but let me assure you that unless you have a palate considerably wider than mine, you'll likely find obtaining one much easier than obtaining enjoyment from one. To the delight of some, and the derision of many others, it's Negroni week!
With all the universal appeal of a sex dungeon, you may need to start off with a few timid lashes of this drink's divisive spirit, Campari, before you count yourself among the zealous chosen who'd deign to celebrate such a beverage. If you can't tell, I'm not quite there yet, but those in the Campari camp will be pleased to know I'm (slowly) coming around. If you're not familiar, it's a bitter aperitif that most commonly seems to be compared to cough syrup.
Don't dismay! As you're probably aware, the drinking world is rife with examples of initially unappreciated beverages. From the first taste of dad's Molson, to an unexpected starting swig of Johnny Walker, I'm willing to bet most of you have experienced the bitter taste of drinking defeat, and moved on to enjoy one or two flavours you first despised. If you haven't, that's fine too. People like what they like, and while it's always good fun to have a laugh as your friend's face scrunches up while they quickly pass your beloved beverage back to you, I kindly ask that you refrain from being too much of an ass.
While there's a number of stubborn folk out there willing to fake it till' they make it in enjoying a more exclusively enjoyed drink; you're not doing your flavour any favours when you dismiss those who simply don't possess, or haven't yet acquired a necessary palate for its enjoyment. These turned up noses and cocked eyebrows over hard-won or naturally given palates are more likely going to have the average outsider decide they'd really rather go back to drinking their perfectly enjoyable Rum n' Cokes. I know that 120 IBU IPA you just found the other day is super dope, but I bet there's somebody out there who'd probably like it just as much as you 5 years down the road, if you turn them on to a nice fruity session ale instead of telling them to go back to their Coors Light.
Point is, if you've an open mind and are willing to expand your alcohol horizons, there are always workarounds to escalate your tastes. My ex used to say your tongue can be trained like any muscle... I'm fairly sure it was in reference to Campari. Start with something unfamiliar yet enjoyable, and keep working at it. My Negroni recipe is modified to suit my tastes, and I'll outline changes to the original recipe in case you might like to suit it to yours:
The Negroni Newbie
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- *3/4 oz Campari (Standard is 1 oz, or try a milder aperitif like Aperol instead)
- *~5 dashes oranges bitters (Fruity bitters should help tone it down)
- *1-2 oz soda
- Orange and/or lemon peel for garnish
Put your gin and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass over ice. Then look at your Campari and wonder why exactly you feel compelled to enjoy it, but add it to the glass anyways, along with your bitters. Give it a good stir. Hopefully that melted ice dilutes it a bit... aaaand strain your mixture into a rocks glass with ice. Peel off a nice big slab of garnish and twist it into the drink to cover up the smell with those lovely citrus oils. Then hesitantly sip... and... oh? That's actually pretty tasty, maybe we should make another one...