Bully Boy Negroni

Bully Boy's Negroni is a bottled, ready-to-drink version of the classic Italian aperitivo cocktail, made in Massachusetts and bottled at 24% ABV. The reference build is gin, vermouth and a bitter component in one pour. It is not a whiskey, despite the shelf category it sits in. At 24%, it is a pre-diluted drink, so it is meant to be served as it comes, not stretched like a 40%+ spirit. Because the cocktail is already balanced, the serving is mostly about temperature. Pour it over one large ice cube in a rocks glass, since a big cube chills with less dilution than a handful of small ones. A strip of orange peel, expressed over the glass so the oils land on the surface, adds the citrus aroma that bar versions rely on. Styles like this usually lead with bitter orange and herbal notes, a juniper backbone from the gin, and a sweet, spiced vermouth finish. Expect to pick up those elements on the nose before the bitterness lands on the palate. You can also pour it straight from a chilled bottle into a chilled glass with no ice, which keeps the flavors concentrated. A few easy adjustments suit different tastes. Topping with a splash of soda water gives a lighter, longer drink in the spirit of an Americano and softens the bitterness for newer Negroni drinkers. A slice of orange in the glass works too. For a sharper version, add a few drops of extra bitters or a twist of grapefruit peel. Stirring over ice for about twenty seconds and straining into a coupe is a good option if you want it served up. At the table, a Negroni cuts well through salty and fatty food. Cured meats, olives, aged hard cheeses, salted nuts and anchovy toast all work, as do richer dishes such as pâté or fried appetizers. It is a natural starter before a meal, though the bitterness can also work after dinner.