The Bonded Boulevardier

There are numerous reasons why I find it imperative to craft and savour a few more cocktails with a solid base of the exquisite Jack Daniel's Bonded. Allow me to elucidate:

Firstly, I have made a personal commitment to my friend Vincent at Jack Daniel's Belgium, promising to further explore the potential of this exceptional bottle.

Adding to the excitement, September marks the month when we celebrate Mr Jack's birthday, although the exact date has been lost to history. This gives us a perfect reason to raise our glasses in his honour.

From September 18th to 24th, the world celebrates Negroniweek, a delightful initiative where ordering a Negroni at your preferred bar contributes to a noble cause. Given my staunch support for this event over the years, I've decided to opt for a couple of exceptional Negroni-style concoctions this year. Repetition of the same old recipes seems rather uninspiring, don't you think?

Today, I've selected the signature cocktail thoughtfully provided by Jack Daniel's for this very bottle. It's a strategic move to share these recipes with the bottles themselves, as it encourages buyers to explore the world of cocktails. The Bonded Boulevardier, a Negroni-style drink, deviates slightly from the classic “even parts” recipe, leaning a tad heavier on the spirit. This bold twist promises an experience akin to ordering a drink at a top-tier cocktail bar—a choice that will undoubtedly elevate your cocktail game. Cheers to new horizons in mixology!

The Bonded Boulevardier

Ingredients

45ml Jack Daniel’s Bonded

30ml Sweet red vermouth (always use a good quality vermouth!)

30ml Red Italian bitter such as Campari or Select. 

Method

Don’t forget we’re working with a 100-proof spirit, which can use a slight bit of watering down to release all the hidden flavours. 

• Pretty method: First add all three ingredients to a mixing glass with lots of ice cubes. Stir until perfectly mixed and cooled. Strain into a tumbler with a nice large rock of clear ice. Garnish with a nice cut of orange zest and a maraschino cherry. 

• Fast method: Add ingredients and ice cubes to a tumbler. Stir until nicely mixed and cooled. Garnish with a wedge of fresh orange. The fresh aroma of the orange will complete the drink. Never muddle the orange in your Boulevardier. Just don’t. 

Want to watch me stir one of these? Watch the reel on Instagram. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Another sip of Conte Negroni

Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to receive one of the first bottles of Conte Negroni, a bottled 'ready-to-serve' cocktail crafted by a passionate Belgian couple of friends who are ardent Negroni enthusiasts. This delightful cocktail became part of my #negroniweek2021 series.

Recently, I had the pleasure of receiving another bottle of Conte Negroni, igniting my curiosity once again. I mentioned in my previous article, "When I compare this drink to the finest Negronis I've savoured in Italy... it comes remarkably close. Perhaps a slightly longer finish would elevate it further, but the flavour profile is truly excellent." 

Have they made any changes in these two years since I first indulged in a sip? This time, I opted for a neat drink served in a tumbler, chilled in the freezer. 

I selected a Liiton tumbler, distinguished by the majestic K2 mountain depicted at the base of the glass. The substantial bottom of the tumbler ensures a prolonged chill compared to other options. A generous set of four tumblers was graciously sent to me by TX Distri, each adorned with a different iconic mountain (K2, Mont Blanc, Mount Fuji, and Mount Denali). Additionally, this range also features the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest.

After savouring a few cautious sips, I immediately noticed an enhanced finish compared to my previous encounter. I still agree that this mix is pretty good in the direction of the Italian original, however, I do perceive a slightly stronger bitterness this time. Perhaps the mix went a bit heavy on quassia bark? A Negroni is a harmonious blend of bitterness and sweetness, requiring a delicate balance. A single drop of sugar and a slice of fresh orange would adjust and complete this serving. 

Other options to soften the edges? I just chilled the bottle and glass for this first sample, it would perhaps be a better option to stir the drink cold with ice. Another option and this one may sound a bit strange to you… add one or two drops of saline solution. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Happy World Gin Day!!!

It’s #WorldGinDay !!! 

But, I also had some leftover strawberry-infused Campari that I didn't want to waste, so I decided to create a summer edition of the most iconic Italian drink, the Negroni.

However, I was looking for a bold spirit that could stand up to the bittersweetness of the infused Campari.

Luckily, in the last sample box I received from my friends at Cinoco, there was this mysterious bottle of Mexican gin that had been finished in Mezcal casks. 

This intriguing gin, Cantina Verde, seemed like the perfect candidate. It boasts a fresh taste with a distinctive flavour and a subtle hint of agave. The creators describe it as "Oaxaca in a bottle." In addition to agave, the main ingredients of this unique gin include juniper, coriander, lemon, cardamom, and cinnamon.

NOT a Mezcal Negroni

Ingredients

30ml Cantera Verde Gin (Mezcal finish)

30ml Punt e Mes sweet vermouth

30ml Campari, strawberry infused

Method

This is a quick and easy to mix drink: add everything to a tumbler with ice, give it a good stir for 15 seconds. Garnish with orange. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Southern aperitivo

Spring has finally arrived and admit it, you automatically start dreaming of summer holidays and southern aperitivo moments. That thought was enough to start exploring flavours. 

I mixed up a fantastic Negroni-style drink and together with my wife I've put together a great aperitivo plate with pickled vegetables by Camps, sardines in olive oil and a delicious homemade mayonnaise. 

"Bourbon forward" Boulevardier

Ingredients
50 ml Bourbon
30 ml Red Italian vermouth
30 ml Red Italian bitter

Method
Add the ingredients to a tumbler with ice. Stir for 15 seconds. Garnish with blood orange. 

Balsamic-Parmesan Mayonnaise

Ingredients
2 egg yolks
300 ml Olive oil
1 table spoon lime juice
1 teaspoon mustard
2 table spoons grated parmesan cheese
1 rasped clove of Garlick
5 anchovies 
Cayenne pepper
Pepper and salt

Method
Mix a mayonnaise with the egg yolks, lime juice, mustard and olive oil. We used the emersion blender. We use a small high container, add everything and mix it from bottom to top until the mayonnaise is nice and thick. 

Add the extra ingredients, mix again until completely blended. Season with pepper, salt and a tiny bit of cayenne pepper. 

You can find the recipe in Dutch at Tineke's Cucina. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Italian Winter Spritz

For this Christmas season, I wanted to mix a couple of variations on the Negroni. And because it’s a festive season, I wanted these drinks to be slightly more challenging than what you normally see on this blog. 

The mission of this blog is to share easy, but tasty recipes. Simple cocktails that you can reproduce at home. Does this mean I never mix up a more advanced drink? Of course not, but those drinks are not what this blog is all about. 

But just maybe, you would love a more advanced drink for the Christmas holidays? If that’s the case, I’ll share one of my recent favourites with you… six ingredients, but still pretty easy to mix. It’s so tasty, you might even decide to serve it as a punch. Not festive enough?
Replace the tonic with a good quality Prosecco… solved. 

Italian Winter Spritz

Ingredients

25 ml Italian red bitter (I used Caffo Mazzodi L’Aperitivo Italiano)

25 ml Sweet vermouth (I used Cinzano)

25 ml Genever (I used Fryns Premium)

20 ml Fresh lemon juice

10 ml Simple Syrup

Schweppes Indian Tonic.

Method

Add all ingredients, except for the tonic, to a shaker with lots of ice. Give it a good shake for 15 seconds and strain it into your favourite cocktail glass. Add lots of ice and top with a good quality tonic. Give it one more stir and garnish with a slice of lemon. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Bitter Lemon Negroni

Inspired by the Limoncello Negroni by my friend Natalie Migliarini, I created this cross-over with the ‘White Negroni’. That might sound like a weird combination, but it’s actually delicious. 

Since it’s an even-parts recipe, everyone can mix it at home. Bartenders in every bar or restaurant can serve it fast and easy. This is another recipe I've mixed up for my friends at Paal 26 Grand Café. 

Bitter Lemon Negroni 

Ingredients

30 ml (Homemade and delicious!!!) Limoncello

30 ml Suze bitter

30 ml Lillet Blanc

Method

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with lots of ice. Stir for 15 seconds and strain into your favourite tumbler with fresh ice. Garnish with a wedge of torched lemon.

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Negroniweek 2022

If you browse through the boozy pages on Instagram, you will notice it’s #negroniweek again. This is the very first year I don’t fully participate, due to a lack of time and resources. In the past years, I’ve always posted a full week of Negroni-style drinks, which are still online for you to enjoy. 

Of course, I will raise my glass to the cause and hope you’ll visit lots of participating bars and restaurants, which will raise some money for their selected causes this week. When venues register to participate, they will donate a small contribution to the ‘slow food’ movement, but most bars will also donate one dollar or euro for each glass of Negroni sold, to a local cause. Think global, act local.

I also promise that next month, I will create a special Negroni version for my friends at Paal 26 Grand Café. They are participating in this edition of #Negroniweek, this means you can support a local cause by ordering a ‘regular’ Negroni right now. 

The Negroni is one of the easiest cocktails to stir at home, because of the even parts of Campari, gin and sweet vermouth. It’s also one of the most adapted recipes.

• Campari? Sure, but why not try any other kind of bitter/amaro?
• Gin? Sure, but why not try any other kind of spirit? 
• Sweet vermouth? Sure, but why not try any other kind of vermouth or fortified wine? 

You can go even further and break it down into four even parts. The fourth part can be for example espresso or cold brew coffee.

I could go on and on about the possible variations, but why not try out some variations yourself? 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Gloria

I’m always scrolling through recipes shared on social media. Whenever I see something that looks appealing, I want to try it. This is one of those tasty combinations. 

You’ll find different recipes for this drink on the internet, I like the result from this one… It’s a Negroni-style drink, edges rounded and slightly sweeter.

Gloria

Ingredients
50ml Drebbel London Dry Gin
15 ml Campari
15 ml Leonce vermouth
15 ml Triple Sec

Method
Add everything to a mixing glass with lots of ice. Stir for 15 seconds and strain in a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations. 

Xmas Gifts Parade 2021 - Pama

Another delicious liqueur for today’s bottle at our Xmas Gifts Parade: Pama pomegranate liqueur. I was really waiting for Heaven Hill’s distributor to bring this bottle to the Belgian market. A liqueur with lots of potential for tasty drinks. 

Let’s start by mixing up another fruity take on the Negroni. 

Pamagroni

Ingredients
30 ml Pama pomegranate liqueur
30 ml Martini Ambrato vermouth
30 ml Sorgin (grape-based Gin)

Method
Add even parts of all ingredients to a tumbler with ice. Stir for 15 seconds. Garnish with orange. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

The Unexpected Rosé Negroni

The #Negroniweek is the perfect moment to experiment with some variations on the iconic Negroni-recipe. You always need a tasty spirit, a wine-based aperitif and bitters. You need to balance the flavors to get the right result. In most cases, like the recipe below, even parts will be fine. In some cases you need a bit extra spirit, or a spirit with a slightly higher ABV to get things right. 

Today I’m mixing up a rum-based Negroni-style drink that’s light and very fruity.

The Unexpected Rosé Negroni

Ingredients
30 ml Matusalem Rum Insolito (aged rosé rum)
30 ml Leonce Vermouth
30 ml Aperol

Method
Do it like the Italians, add everything to a tumbler with icecubes and stir for 15 seconds. Garnish with orange peel or dehydrated orange.

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations. 

Negroniweek 2021 - Conte Negroni

Each year I try to include a bottled/premixed Negroni in my #Negroniweek posts. Last year I featured the Verhofstede Negroni, a complex mix of four (instead of three) of their existing products. At the start of this year I received a bottle of Conte Negroni, a brand new Belgian pre-mixed Negroni, which also has a great story. They created their own Gin,Vermouth and Bitters with the sole purpose of blending them together to create the best possible bottled Negroni. 

After a first tasting I decided this would be the bottled Negroni for this years’ edition of #Negroniweek. When I compare this drink to the better Negronis I’ve tasted in Italy… this one comes pretty close. It could use a slightly longer finish, but the flavor profile is excellent. 

The Negroni has a typical nose of bittersweet oranges, calamus root and quassia bark. A four week minimum barrel ageing enhances the flavors and really blends everything together.  

Always serve on ice and add an orange peel of a dehydrated orange slice to complete the drink.

The iconic Negroni is Italy’s Nr.1 aperitivo with strong bittersweet flavors. You like it or not. If you feel the bittersweet taste is too strong for you, you can always top your drink with a bit of tonic or Prosecco. The guys from Conte Negroni are suggesting a “Perfect Serve” highball by adding some Gemellii Bergamot Tonic. 

For the highball serve I used a biodegradable disposable cork straw from La Paille en Liege.  

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Negroniweek 2021 - Evan Williams Bottled In Bond

It’s Negroniweek again. Drink for a cause. Visit your favorite bar and have one the Negroni-style drinks on the menu. They will donate something for charity, for each Negroni sold during this week. 

Like former years, bloggers around the world will also promote this week and put this iconic Italian aperitif in the spotlights. And of course we’ll make a few delicious variations. As I like to keep things simple on my blog, I’m not going to work with infusions or handmade syrups etc. I’m going to share a pretty good bottled Negroni and I’ll mix up a couple of tasty variations on the original. 

Let’s start with a tasty Boulevardier. The gin is swapped for whisky, but for me this really needs to be a good quality Bourbon. From my recently received box of Heaven Hill whiskeys, I pick a bottle of Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.

This 100 proof version of the world's second largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged four years under U.S. Government Supervision to meet the exacting standards for Bottled-in-Bond. First enacted by Congress in 1897 and still on the books today, Bottled-in-Bond guarantees quality and assures consumers the product is bottled at exactly 100 proof, the product of one distilling season at one distillery, aged at least four years, and clearly labeled with name of the distillery who made it and Distilled Spirits Plant (D.S.P.) number in which it was made and bottled.

Evan Williams Boulevardier

Ingredients
30 ml Evan Williams Bottled in bond 100-proof
30 ml Campari
30 ml Cinzano Sweet vermouth

Method
Make this one like they do it in Italy. Fill your glass with icecubes, add all ingredients and stir until nice and cold. Garnish with a piece of orange peel (first extract the lovely oils on top of your drink) or a dehydrated orange slice. Enjoy !!!

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations. 

Lillet Apero(L)

The iconic Negroni seems to be a source for endless variations. Since I was playing around with the bottle of Lillet Blanc to make the Reverse Vesper, I thought it would be a great idea to use it also for a nice Italian-style aperitif 😉. This cocktail is a light and fruity Negroni-variation. 

Lillet Apero(L)

Ingredients
30 ml Aperol
30 ml Lillet Blanc
30 ml Cinzano sweet vermouth

Method
Stir together in a tumbler or mixing glass. Garnish with dehydrated orange. 

P.S. Next month, for a limited time, this drink will be on the suggestions menu at Paal 26 Grand Café.

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations. This article is a paid partnership with Paal 26 Grand Café.

Banana Boulevardier

Sometimes a small alteration in a recipe can have a big influence on taste. This is another one you really have to try !

Banana Boulevardier

Ingredients
30 ml Bourbon
30 ml Cinzano sweet vermouth
15 ml Campari
15 ml Giffard Banane du Brésil

Method
Stir either directly in the glass or in a mixing glass. Just remember you need small icecubes in the glass where you do the stirring. It really doesn’t work very well with a big block. If you stir in a mixing glass and then strain into your tumbler, you have the option to serve the drink with a big block of ice. 

This is a Negroni-variation, so garnish should be orange peel or dehydrated orange. 

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

AmericaNA & NAgroni (Mocktails)

No drinks are more Italian than these two iconic aperitivo’s based on Campari : The Americano and the Negroni. Could we mix them without alcohol, while keeping those typical Italian flavours?

I have tried this before in the past, but newer and better non-alcoholic products tempt me to improve these drinks in yet another try …

For your next #mocktailmonday I’ll give you recipes for both drinks. If you’re not able to find a good quality NA Amaro, you could try Monin Bitter. But you might have to adjust the measurements in that case.   

The jury is still out on the AmericaNA, the result depends very much on the measurement of the tonic. (I tried first with soda water but that - really - didn’t work). The NAgroni has the right flavour-mix and is a true winner !!!

P.S. I received this nice pocket flask with Martini Vibrante NA with the "No compromise club" sticker in my mail. With this great new products indeed no compromises have to be made. You can have a nice and flavorful drink, without the need for alcohol. 

AmericaNA

Ingredients
45 ml The Bitter Note (NA Amaro)
45 ml Martini Vibrante Non Alcoholic (NA vermouth style aperitif)
Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic 

Method
Add the amaro and Martini directly in the glass. Don’t stir in a mixing glass, because you don’t want extra dilution. Add them to a tumbler with ice and top with tonic. Stir very gently during 5 seconds. Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel. 

NAgroni

Ingredients
30 ml The Bitter Note (NA Amaro)
30 ml Martini Vibrante Non Alcoholic (NA vermouth style aperitif)
30 ml Nona June (NA replacement for gin)

Method
Add all 3 ingredients directly in the glass. Don’t stir in a mixing glass, because you don’t want extra dilution. Just add them to your tumbler with ice and stir very gently for 5 seconds. Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel. 

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

A friend of an Old Pal - Starlino Vermouth

Starlino vermouth was one of the better new products I tested last year. I was looking to use it in a Negroni-style variation, but focusing on the herbal flavour of the vermouth. Somehow for me it worked very well with Rye Whiskey. So I did this crossover between an Old Pal (Rye Whiskey, Dry Vermouth and Campari) and a Boulevardier (Bourbon, sweet vermouth and Campari).
I really liked the result, maybe you also need to try it ! 

A friend of an Old Pal

Ingredients
30 ml Campari
30 ml Starlino vermouth
30 ml Rye whiskey
3 drops of Absinthe bitters

Method
Stir everything but the bitters together in a mixing glass with lots of ice. Add a big shunk of ice into your tumbler and add three drops of bitters on top of your ice. Strain the drink into your tumbler. Garnish with a dehydrated blood orange slice. Enjoy !

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Deep Chocolate Negroni

It’s been a while since I did something with X-Gin, the chocolate flavored gin which my wife likes so much. While she’s having her X-Gin & Tonic, I want to stir up a real chocoholic after-dinner cocktail.

Deep Chocolate Negroni

Ingredients
30 ml X-Gin
25 ml Sweet vermouth
25 ml Campari
10 ml Marie Brizard Chocolat Royal (Chocolate liqueur)
1 dash Angostura Cocoa Bitters

Method
Stir together in a mixing glass with lots of ice. Strain in a tumbler with fresh ice. Garnish with cocoa nibs and optionally serve with an After Eight chocolate. 

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Bubbly Negroni *Deluxe*

One of the best perks of being a drinksblogger is that you get to know many other drinksbloggers all around the world. One of those pretty famous bloggers is Natalie Migliarini. Together with her partner-in-crime James Stevenson she wrote a very nice book “Beautiful Booze”, packed with recipes to try at home. 

Tonight I’m re-shaking one of the recipes from that book. It’s a festive take on the iconic Italian classic. I may have done this before by adding Prosecco to Belroy’s bottled Negroni, but this time by using only ‘Limited Edition’ ingredients, we make this a very exclusive and festive drink. It was awesome !!!

Bubbly Negroni *Deluxe* 

Ingredients
30 ml Hennessy Cognac Very Special Limited Edition 
30 ml Campari Cask Tales (Barrel aged)
30 ml Gonzalez Byass La Copa Reserva (sweet vermouth)
90 ml Vilarnau Limited Edition Cava Extra Sec

Method
Combine the cognac, Campari and vermouth in a mixing glass with lots of ice. Stir for half a minute to chill and combine the ingredients. Strain into a festive Champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with an orange twist. 

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Verhofstede Negroni

The Negroni is a very tasty Italian Aperitivo. But there are many reasons why bartenders really love this iconic drink. The ingredients are easily replaceable by other products and each swap creates a new delicious Italian style drink. Each bar can have their own take on this cocktail. 

Gin can be replaced by whisky, rum, mezcal, … whatever spirit you desire. You can even swap it for a good quality Prosecco and have a delicious Sbagliato. There is a whole wide world of vermouths to play with and even the Campari can be swapped for any other bitter or amaro. 

If you want it really easy, you can buy premixed bottled Negroni at your liqueur store. Each year I try to included a good quality bottled Negroni in my posts for the #negroniweek. During the last editions we tested the bottled Negroni from Cockney’s and Belroy’s. This year, due to logistical problems the bottle didn’t arrive on time to be included in the themeweek. But since the iconic Negroni is a tasty cocktail we can easily enjoy all around the year, I decided to publish it anyway. This year we selected a nice bottle of Verhofstede Negroni. 

You could say this is a pretty alternative bottling. For starters it’s a mix of four ingredients instead of three. Each of the ingredients is produced by Verhofstede and also available in their webshop. The spirit is Edelweiss Gin, which we’ve tested before and has a very nice herbal flavour. The bitter components are a bittersweet vermout and Tante Andrée 35 (a dark herbal bitter). The fruitiness comes in by the Solé orange liqueur (made with Spanish oranges) which softens the drink. The result is a very elegant and silky Negroni. 

Serve on ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with orange. 

You can buy this bottle at your local liqueur store or directly from their webshop. 

Our friends at Foodbelgium also have a few interesting promotions for Verhofstede products. 

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

The Fake Barrel Aged Bottled Frozen Negroni

I have done this experiment before, but not for such a long time. So I’m very excited to see how it worked out. And I will combine it with something else I learned recently. 

On the first of April (I’m not joking) my wife was preserving some vegetables in the kitchen and sealing them in plastic bags. I thought to myself, why not repeat my fake barrel aging experiment…

So I went upstairs to my homebar and added the classical three ingredients for a Negroni into a plastic bag. I also added a few extra charred wood pieces of Jack Daniel’s barrels. I intended this experiment to “age” until June, when I could taste it for the #Negroniweek. But COVID-19 paralysed the world and #Negroniweek was postponed until the second half of September. I decided to keep the bag in the back of my fridge until it was time to taste it. 

So this is it. Three years ago I did this same experiment but only “aged” my cocktail for a month. This time I had it aging for 5,5 months. 

The day before the tasting I opened the bag and strained the cocktail through a coffee filter. The clean cocktail was poured into a small jar and put in the freezer for another night. 

Important remark : I didn’t add water to the recipe, so I’m still going to stir this cocktail with some ice in a mixing glass before serving. I want my Negroni to have a bit of dilution-water.  

What was the result of this “Fake barrel aged frozen bottled Negroni” ? At least it goes on record as the Negroni with the longest or craziest name ? 😉 

Of course you immediately recognize the typical bold Negroni flavours, but after those first seconds you also notice the deeper layers. The oak and vanilla flavours of the Jack Daniels casks are clearly present. No sharp edges, but rounded and tasty… takes me right back to Italy !

Disclaimer : All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Management & Communications unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.