montenegroni

1 oz Citadelle Reserve Gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz Amaro Montenegro

Stir with ice and strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Two Wednesdays ago, I ventured into Bergamot to pay tribute to bartender Paul Manzelli. For a first drink, I requested the Montenegroni from the cocktail menu. The drink was Paul's Negroni variation subbing Amaro Montenegro for the sweet vermouth. I was not so surprised by this substitution for the man does have a love for that amaro and has done substitutions before such as the Hoop-La! riff I dubbed the Hurly Burly. Once mixed, it offered an orange oil and herbal aroma. Orange notes on the sip mingled with Amaro Montenegro's caramel; finally, the swallow shared juniper, soften Campari, and mandarine flavors. Despite having two amari instead of one, the Montenegroni seemed less bitter and more approachable than the classic.