Negroni Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons (1 1/2 oz) dry gin
• 2 Tablespoons (1 oz) sweet vermouth
• 1 Tablespoon (1/2 oz) Campari
• 2 Tablespoons (1 oz) chilled orange-flavored sparkling water
• Garnish: freshly sliced orange

Method:

1. Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker; add ice. Cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass; stir in sparkling water. Garnish with orange and serve immediately. Yield: 1 cocktail.

This classic Italian cocktail is generally quite strong, as it's pure alcohol. Here we present the Negroni Cocktail that uses all the traditional ingredients, but the flavor is mellowed by adding a bit of orange sparkling water to the mix. If you can find blood orange sparkling water, that's the perfect touch, but any orange-flavored sparkling water works. You can even use orange soda, such as Orangina. Campari, a lightly alcoholic Italian bitter, adds a distinctive flavor.