A NOVEL NEGRONI
This month we have something a little different for you. Joe Schofield, our creative director had a spark of inspiration for this month’s Negroni whilst reading about Ernest Hemingway as he is wont to do after a reread of one of his favourite books by Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea. But first, for those unfamiliar with the legendary writer, let’s catch you up a bit…
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THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND
Ernest Hemingway was a larger-than-life figure, known for his adventurous lifestyle and love of writing, travel, and danger. He lived in places like Paris, Cuba, and Spain, immersing himself in war zones, safaris, and deep-sea fishing expeditions. Hemingway's bold, minimalist prose mirrored his passion for excitement, but he was also famous for his love of alcohol. Whether sipping daiquiris in Havana or whiskey in Key West, drinks were a constant companion, becoming a symbol of his rugged, often self-destructive nature that intertwined with his creative genius.
Hemingway’s love for the Negroni is often tied to his experiences in Italy during World War I, where he first developed a taste for the country’s culture and lifestyle. As a young ambulance driver for the Red Cross, Hemingway was stationed in Italy and was gravely injured on the front lines. During his recovery and subsequent travels in Italy, he became enchanted by the local food, wine, and drinks. The Negroni, with its bold and bitter profile, resonated with Hemingway's wartime experiences and his growing appreciation for Italian life. This connection between Italy, his war experiences, and his fondness for strong, no-nonsense cocktails like the Negroni became part of his identity, reflecting both his adventurous spirit and his search for solace amid the chaos of war.
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THE DRINK
In 1954, while on safari in Africa with his wife, Ernest Hemingway survived two consecutive plane crashes within 24 hours. The first crash happened when their plane hit a utility pole while flying over Uganda to view Murchison Falls, forcing an emergency landing in the jungle. Hemingway, his wife, and the pilot survived the wreck and waited for rescue. The following day, as they attempted to fly to medical attention in a second plane, believe it or not, it too crashed and caught fire upon takeoff! Hemingway was declared dead by the press, but miraculously, he emerged alive, though with serious injuries, including a concussion, burns, and internal injuries.
When reporters finally caught up with him after the ordeal, Hemingway greeted them with a bottle of gin in one hand and a bunch of bananas in the other, seemingly unfazed by his near-death experiences. And that brings us to The Hemingway Negroni. Taking inspiration from this typically outlandish story and the bottle of gin and bunch of bananas Hemingway had in his possession during the interview, Joe has created an adventurous take on the classic cocktail. The first sip greets you with the ripe, tropical aroma of banana with an almost velvety texture adding a delicate softness to the sharp, herbal notes of gin. The banana’s sweetness gently tempers the Campari’s bitterness, creating a smoother drink without losing the Negroni’s signature bite.
TO SERVE YOUR NEGRONI
Pop the pouch in the freezer for 30 minutes until nicely chilled
Pour into an ice-filled tumbler or old-fashioned glass
Garnish with a slice of orange, slipped into the glass
Drink!
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THE RECIPE
25ml Gin
15ml Banana Liqueur
10ml Estate Vermouth
25ml Campari
To recreate this Negroni, simply follow the instructions below:
Add the ingredients above to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and stir for 60 seconds until well-chilled and slightly diluted
Pour into an ice-filled tumbler or old-fashioned glass
Garnish with a slice of orange and serve
If you want to prebatch your drinks to serve quickly later, just add another 10ml water to the ingredients above, to ‘pre-dilute’ the blend
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