This aperitif feels a bit royal to me because it is infused with fragrant spices, but also because it costs enough that it may require a special occasion to make the cost worth it! This recipe is easily cut in half if you would rather not buy two bottles of vermouth and two bottles of gin!
Some would call this a Negroni Americano, as club soda has been added. Without the club soda, the taste is too strong for me, but if you are less of an Americano than me, take out the soda!
Batch Cardamom Negroni
Serves 20 (in a 10-ounce rocks glass, filled halfway with ice)
3 cups Dolin Blanc Vermouth
5 cups gin
1 ½ cups Campari
6 cups club soda
8 clementines
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 cardamom pods
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
Infuse the vermouth:
Infuse 10 cardamom pods in a quart Mason jar with 3 cups of Dolin Blanc Vermouth for up to 3 days (although 1 day will be enough if needed). Keep the jar on the counter at room temperature. Strain and discard cardamom to use.
Make the cardamom-vanilla roasted orange slices:
Preheat broiler and line a baking sheet with foil.
Cut clementines into ¼ inch thick slices; place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush lightly with vanilla extract, then sprinkle lightly with ground cardamom.
Broil on medium heat 4 inches from heat for 12 minutes or until oranges start to char.
Remove from oven. Turn clementines over and repeat the process: brush with vanilla, sprinkle with cardamom, and broil for 12 minutes.
Make the cocktail:
Muddle six slices of the burnt clementines in another quart Mason jar with the back of a wooden spoon.
Add ¼ cup Dolin Blanc and muddle again. Strain this mixture into a gallon jug using a fine-mesh sieve for oranges and discard.
Add 2 ¾ cups Dolin Blanc, 5 cups gin, and 1 ½ cups Campari.
Immediately before serving, add 6 cups of club soda. Serve with burnt clementine slices and plenty of ice.
Tiny Plain Negroni
Serves 2 (in a 10-ounce rocks glass, filled halfway with ice)
¼ cup Dolin Blanc Vermouth
¾ cup gin
2 tablespoons Campari
½ cup club soda
Combine Dolin Blanc, gin, and Campari in a small jar. Immediately before serving, add club soda.
Purchase the Lark Cocktails book for dozens more great recipes! #livinglark
