The Pirate Negroni: Celebrating Negroni Week and Talk Like a Pirate Day
I began celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19th, every year) after hearing about it during the Kevin & Bean morning show on alternative rock station KROQ-FM in Los Angeles in the 1990’s. I thought it was hilarious, and I’m always one to look for fun opportunities to celebrate daily life. It’s always fine to celebrate because “it’s Tuesday” but sometimes you want an excuse to meet with some friends and have a cocktail and conversation.
I’m also a huge fan of a Negroni and so back in 2020 when Negroni Week moved to September (I seem to recall it had always been in June, previously), it intersected with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and I decided to make a pirate-themed Negroni variation. It’s one of my more favorite combinations I’ve created, and while it does take some pre-planning, it’s not all that difficult and is a fun way to show off your home bartending skills amongst your friends and family.
The Pirate Negroni
Ingredients
- 1.0 oz Goslings Dark Run
- 1.0 oz dried mango-infused Dry Vermouth
- 1.0 oz Chinese 5 Spice-infused Campari
- Garnish: Dried Mango
Preparation
Add all ingredients except the garnish to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks or old-fashioned glass over a large block of ice, then garnish with the dried mango.
Dried Mango-Infused Dry Vermouth
- 1 750ml bottle of Dry Vermouth (preferably Dolin)
- 1 4oz package of Dried Mango
- Directions
- Add the dried mango and the bottle of vermouth to a large glass jar with a lid and let steep for 24 hours
- Fine strain back into the Vermouth bottle (labeled so as not to confuse it with plain Dry Vermouth) and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 months
Chinese 5 Spice-Infused Campari
- 1 750ml bottle of Campari
- 1 teaspoon Chinese 5-Spice powder
- Directions
- Add the Chinese 5-Spice to the bottle of Campari and let steep for at least three hours or overnight
- Strain through a fine coffee filter and then add the infused Campari back to the bottle (properly labeled so it’s not confused for plain Campari); keeps shelf-stable indefinitely