I love all the Negroni variations that cocktail people create, drinks that use tequila instead of gin, or pineapple cordial in place of an amaro.  On the other hand….. Because there are so many variations of the three original ingredients – Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Amaro, you have endless possibilities. Today we play with the exquisite Calabrian Amaro – Vecchio Amaro Del Capo.

The Gin: Monopolowa Dry Gin

The Vermouth: Carpano Antica Formula 1786

The Amaro: Cynar and Vecchio Amaro Del Capo

More: Just a slice of orange, not bitters in this one

When we make a Negroni with the more exotic Amaro like Averna, Ramazzotti, and Vecchio Amaro del Capo we blend with a bit more stayed Amaro like Cynar.  It tends to result in a bit more palatable cocktail. Of course the Amaro connoisseur might like to go full throttle with a full 1 1/2 ounce of the Vecchio.

 Our recipe was full jigger of Gin and Vermouth and half and half of Cynar and the del Capo. The Vecchio has such robust and lively flavors we skipped the bitters and let it shine. The result was so good we are tempted to up the Vecchio to a full jigger next time.

Created in 1915 by  Giuseppe Caffo in Calabria, southern Italy, Vecchio is still made by his decedents. The secret recipe of 29 Calabrian herbs and spices is carefully crafted with the same recipe 100 years later.

It has a rich brown color and is intended to be enjoyed ice, freezer temperature, cold. It has aromas of honey, burnt orange and camphor. The flavor is full of raw farm honey, mint and bitter orange. There are tasty spices and licorice flavors. Makes a beautiful Negroni.

See more at caffo.com