The Negroni has its base in Italy and the combination of Italian Vermouth and Campari with Gin, but it’s always fun to make a twist on your favorite drinks and that’s what led us to the French Negroni. We came upon this delicious cocktail thanks to Generous Gin. All the ingredients here are French, instead of Italian, and we think its one heck of a beverage.
A classically made Negroni is stirred, not shaken, in an old fashioned or ‘rocks’ glass and garnished with a slice of orange (this time we use grapefruit, or should we say pamplemousse?). Mostly, the French Negroni sticks to the tradition. The difference here is the use of Lillet Blanc and Suze instead of Vermouth and Campari, and is very similar to various versions of a White Negroni. The main contrast from the somewhat well-known white variation is that a French Gin is used. For that, we think Generous Gin is a superb choice.
Owned by Creative Spirits – O de Vie SAS, Generous Gin comes from the small hamlet of La Rochefoucauld, located within the Cognac region of France. The brand produces three different gins: Original, Organic, and Purple. Each is unique in its own right and excellent paired with tonic or thrown into a cocktail. We suggest going with the Original this time, but feel free to play around with whatever you have.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. of Generous Gin
- 1 oz. of Suze
- 1 oz. of Lillet
- 1 bar spoon liquor of Marasquin
- 1 peel of grapefruit
Fill a shaker or mixing glass with ice. Add all ingredients and then stir until well chilled. Serve over ice in rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
It’s light, yet strong, and has a beautiful summer essence thanks to the mix of Suze and grapefruit. If you’re lying on the stoney beaches of Nice or simply wish you were, the French Negroni plays a perfect partner.
