If you follow the ISITK Facebook page, you’ll have noticed that I’ve been on holiday in Italy. Just got back last night after two really fun weeks.

We started off in Verbania on the shores of Lake Maggiore, went over to the Santa Margherita/Portofino area for a few days and then traveled down to Florence and Rome for a few days in each city.

What a wonderful trip. I think I will write a post on the highlights of my time in Italy (Which, appropriately for my blog, was the food and drink. Not enough music, though). But speaking of drink….I had my first Negroni.

It was love at first sip.

This classic Italian cocktail features Campari, red vermouth, and gin. The bitterness of the Campari is tempered by the sweetness of the vermouth. Add in my beloved gin and it is pure heaven in a glass. A perfect, bracing aperitif to wake up the taste buds. I love how cheerful Negronis look, too.

Negroni

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1 1/2 oz Campari
1 1/2 oz gin
Orange slice or twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Pour the ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes. Stir well.

2. Garnish with the orange slice.

Makes one drink

I’ve been dreaming all day of making my first homemade Negroni.

Now I am out on the patio, sipping my libation and blasting some music that fits my evening just perfectly.

This is the rocking and very cheerful ‘Back Home’ by giuda, a band out of Rome.

Check out giuda on the band’s Website, where you can learn of upcoming world tour dates and buy their music.

Cheers! Salute!