Tip Top Negroni

Negroni from TIP TOP is a ready-to-drink bottling of the classic Italian aperitivo cocktail, which means the balancing has already been done for you. A traditional Negroni combines gin, a red bitter liqueur and sweet vermouth in equal parts. Expect a bittersweet profile along those lines: orange peel and herbal bitterness up front, a rounded vermouth sweetness underneath, and juniper from the gin in the background. The label doesn't give an ABV or a recipe, so check the bottle for strength and ingredients, and treat the flavor description as typical of the style, not a measured profile of this product. The simplest way to serve it is cold from the fridge, poured over a large ice cube. Large cubes melt slowly and soften the bitterness without thinning it. If you want it neat and cold, keep the bottle chilled for a few hours and pour it straight into a small coupe or Nick & Nora glass. For ice, use a short rocks glass, also called an old fashioned glass. A strip of orange peel, with its oils expressed over the surface, is the traditional garnish and brightens the bitterness. A wedge of orange also works. Because the drink is already mixed, it doesn't need stirring or dilution beforehand. At the table, Negronis suit salty, fatty and savory food. Cured meats such as prosciutto and salami, aged hard cheeses, olives, salted nuts and focaccia are all good matches. The bitterness also cuts through fried antipasti and rich cheese-based dishes. You can also top it with a splash of soda or sparkling wine for a longer, lighter drink in the style of a Negroni Sbagliato.