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Give your beloved Negroni a boost with this Zucca recipe

How to make a classic drink with a bittersweet twist

A working bartender.
Viktor Fj /EyeEm / Getty Images

There’s no denying the greatness of the Negroni. With just three ingredients, the drink manages to capture hearts all over the globe, from its Mediterranean home to New York City and beyond. Not only does it look good in the glass, the drink offers a plethora of flavors.

And while we love a standard edition of the Negroni, there are many ways to play with the template. You can swap your base spirit, inject a new amaro, or play around with the garnish (or all of the above). Just don’t shake it or serve it up, you’re not making a Martini.

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Zucca Rabarbaro is a rhubarb amaro out of Italy. It’s great on its own but can also add some character to a lot of classic cocktail recipes. The recipe goes back to 1845 in Milan and, like so many amari, the exact blend is a secret.

What we do know is that it’s made with rhubarb, citrus, and a lovely blend of herbs. The result is delightful, an aromatic and palate-filling liquid that at once grounded and lifted. We are big fans.

Read on for a Negroni recipe you’ll adore.

Negroni Plata

This delightful three-ingredient cocktail is equal parts bitter, sweet, and toasty.

Ingredients:

  • 30 ml mezcal
  • 30 ml Zucca Rabarbaro
  • 30 ml red vermouth
  • Orange wedge for garnish

Method:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a glass with ice and stir.
  2. Garnish with orange wedge.

Grab a bottle of Zucca Rabarbaro for your home bar. It’s a lesser-known liqueur you’ll learn to rely on. It’s also a great post-meal sipper, aiding digestion and cleansing the palate.

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since… Read Full Bio
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