Thankfully, you don’t have to be in Italy to enjoy a zesty and refreshing Negroni. Whatever your taste in gin—whether you prefer herbal, citrusy, savory versions, or those with a hint of sweetness—you will appreciate the smooth, clean flavor of Big Gin, a family-run distillery in Seattle, cofounded by husband and wife Ben Capdevielle and Holly Robinson, which specializes in delicious artisanal gin with botanical notes.
Capdevielle named Big Gin after his father, “Big Jim,” who taught him how to distill. The special Big Gin blend features coriander and bitter orange peel, with warming spices of cassia, cardamom and Tasmanian pepperberry, with juniper as the star ingredient.
This recipe features their Bourbon-Barreled Big Gin, with Cynar, a 100 percent natural Italian amaro made from a blend of artichoke leaves and herbs. The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail created in Paris in the early 20th century.
NEGRONI (Inspired by the Boulevardier)
By Shannon Mustipher, New York City mixologist
1 ounce Bourbon Barreled Big Gin
1 ounce Campari
1/2 ounce Cynar
1/2 ounce Red Vermouth
Stir and serve up or over ice.
Garnish with large orange slice.