the negroni that wasn't

1 oz Gin (Tanqueray)
3/4 oz Aperol
3/4 oz Blanc Vermouth (Dolin)
1/2 oz Cynar
2 dash Orange Bitters (Angostura Orange)

Stir with ice, strain into a cocktail glass or rocks glass with ice (the latter), and garnish with a flamed orange twist (unflamed twist).
Two Fridays ago, I turned to ShakeStir for drink ideas for a nightcap. There, I was lured in by Scott Diaz's 2013 The Negroni that Wasn't. This riff utilized Aperol and Cynar that worked well together in the Juan Bautista, Scottish Play, and A Few of My Favorite Things instead of Campari. Once prepared, The Negroni that Wasn't proffered an orange oil aroma over orange notes from the Aperol and juniper ones from the gin. Next, the orange continued into the sip to accent the Cynar's caramel, and the swallow showcased gin and earthy vegetal flavors with a bitter orange finish.