Cocktail of the Month: Summer in a Glass
The story of the Negroni begins around 1919 in Florence. Italian Count Camillo Negroni (1868–1934) walked into his favorite bar, Caffè Casoni in Florence, and ordered his usual Americano – but with a twist: instead of soda, he asked for gin.
Bartender Fosco Scarselli mixed gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, garnished the drink with an orange zest – and served the very first Negroni. A bold, complex cocktail was born – and began its global rise.
Italian Classic with a Munich Twist
Today, the Negroni is not only a staple in classic bars but also inspires modern takes. One of the most refreshing interpretations hails from Munich.
Klaus St. Rainer, founder of the Goldene Bar at the Haus der Kunst in Munich, is a pioneer of contemporary cocktail culture in Germany. With his series «Cocktails on Tonic», he has reimagined classics – giving them a sparkling new spin.
Freshness and Structure
His approach: drinks like the Americano, Cynar, or Negroni served on ice and topped with high-quality tonic water. The result: light, fizzy aperitivo cocktails with character – perfectly suited to modern tastes.
«Tonic not only adds freshness but also structure to the drink,» says Rainer. And it's precisely this structure that makes the Negroni Tonic so distinctive.
A New Balance
Especially popular is the use of premium tonics – such as Kinley Tonic by The Coca-Cola Company, known for its harmonious balance of bitterness and citrusy notes. Kinley Tonic enhances the Negroni’s bitter-sweet components and lends the drink an elegant freshness.
Adding tonic not only softens the bitter edge of the classic Negroni – it also creates a new balance:
- Lighter in alcohol
- Fresher in taste
- Perfect for summer!
The Negroni Tonic is an ideal summer aperitif. Especially in warmer weather, it delivers everything you want in a great drink: character, style – and lightness.
Why Not Two or Three?
It combines the depth of the original with the freshness of tonic, making it the perfect way to ease into a long summer evening.
Or, as they might say at the Goldene Bar: a classic that’s learned how to dance.
The best part? A drink with style that doesn’t weigh heavy in the glass. In other words: it’s one you’ll happily enjoy a second (or third) time.
Recipe for a Negroni Tonic
Ingredients:
… 3 cl classic gin, such as Tanqueray, Sipsmith, or The Aberturret
… 3 cl Campari
… 3 cl red vermouth such as Carpano Antica Formula, Regal Rogue, or Dolin
… Ice cubes
… High-quality tonic water to top up, such as Kinley Tonic
… Orange zest or dried orange slice for garnish
Preparation:
Pour the three base ingredients directly into a glass over ice. Stir briefly, top with tonic water, and garnish with orange zest. For an extra-light touch, you can also add a splash of soda.
#Cheers!
Peter Jauch is…
… a spirits sommelier with a penchant for top-class cocktails and likes to combine them with the best food.
… author of coffee-table books on GIN & CHAMPAGNER.
… an accomplished spirits and champagne tasting host.
… organizer of an experience festival together with friends.
