Described as “dry and zingy” on most of the websites we looked at, the first two words that unanimously escaped our recoiling lips were, “Ack!” and “Jesus.” That said, the Negroni is not without its charms. Bitter? Yes—like sucking on the pith of an angry orange peel. But as the ice melts and your taste buds begin to recalibrate, this bossy little cocktail puts the moves on you. So, yeah. Bitter yet delightful, which, in case you were looking, also makes a pretty great epitaph… Now on to the booze!

Ingredients

• 25 mL Campari (bonus points for singing “Volare”)
• 25 mL sweet, red Italian vermouth
• 25 mL dry gin (for a Mistaken Negroni, replace the gin with Prosecco)
• 1 slice of orange (to garnish)

Pour all the booze into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, secure the lid, and shake like you mean it. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice, garnish with a slice of orange, and sip s-l-o-w-l-y.

The verdict: An acquired taste, for sure, but also a really brilliant way to slow yourself down and really focus on the flavours in your glass and the cringing people around you. Would we try it again? Yup, but the Prosecco version. As for the likelihood of everyone agreeing to sing “Volare,” no, oh, oh, oh.