Mike's Mix: The '36 Chambers' Of Negroni

This week we featured two drinks from the Negroni menu of Marin's Library Bar.

The first, called Ol' Dirty, is a classic recipe. The most popular Negroni on the menu is actually a spin on the original called Method Man. It uses an herbal liqueur called Chartreuse to stand in for the traditional vermouth.

And, yes, these drinks are named after members of the 90s rap supergroup known as the Wu-Tang Clan. In fact, all six Negronis on the menu are.

You can also try Raekwon the Chef, RZA, Ghostface and C.R.E.A.M.

Ol' Dirty
1 oz Tanqueray Gin
1 oz sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica is used at The Library Bar)
1 oz Campari

Method Man
1 oz Aviation Gin
1 oz Yellow Chartreuse
1 oz Campari

Whereas Tanqueray, a London Dry style gin, has a strong juniper flavor, Aviation gin is distilled in the American style, and is a little less intense.

Yellow Chartreuse is the "sweetening" agent that stands in for the vermouth that is typical in a Negroni, and adds a more herbal flavor.

Trying both recipes side-by-side is a good way to taste how switching out ingredients, even in subtle ways, can have a noticeable impact on your cocktail.

Click here to visit Marin's website.