The Costume Designers Guild Awards show takes place tonight, April 13, hosted by actress Lana Condor. Fans of the painstakingly crafted costumes worn in films and on hit shows like The Queen’s Gambit and Bridgerton will no doubt want to tune in, and when they do, according to Campari Brand Ambassador Daniel Warrilow, they should consider sipping a Negroni. (We suggest making a few tasty aperitivi as well.)
The classic cocktail is made with Campari, of course, which is supporting the CDGAs as part of its commitment to the arts. More on this from Warrilow, including a Classic Negroni recipe and alternative ideas for cocktails featuring Campari, below.
The CDGAs are streaming live tonight at 8:30 pm Eastern/5:30 p.m. Pacific.
Why is Campari supporting the CGDAs?
Campari has a longstanding history as a dedicated patron of the arts and film, with the brand’s connection to the world of art tracing back to the 1900s with Davide Campari, the son of Campari inventor Gaspare Campari. Since then, Campari has featured collaborations with many great artists. With a longstanding tradition of partnering with creative minds and emerging artists, Campari has been responsible for some of the most distinctive and innovative artistic work created in Italy as a means of advertising the brand. Campari is proud to partner with the 23rd CDGA, which celebrates costume design excellence, for the third consecutive year. The partnership showcases Campari’s authentic appreciation toward the art and film industry as an expression of the brand, as well as its dedicated support of the exploration of creative passions. Additionally, this year Campari will collaborate with costume designer Shiona Turini to continue to champion art and film creatives.
Below, you offer a recipe for a "Classic" Negroni, which is such a unique cocktail in that it's equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Do you feel the balance is key, or do you think it's ok to play with the ratios a bit?
Equal proportions of Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin are recommended for consumers who are new to the classic cocktail; however the strong, bitter flavor might not be for everyone, which is what makes Negronis so unique. Ingredient ratios can be altered slightly to create a cocktail that satisfies personal tasting preferences. If a sweeter taste profile is desired, there are many ways to cut through the bitterness with supplemental ingredients. For example, adding citrus to your cocktail will complement the classic Negroni flavors while masking some of the bitterness. Additionally, drinkers can add more gin or sweet vermouth to balance out the Campari, if that better pleases personal taste buds. Either way, the Negroni itself was created for individuals who want a drink in their preferred way!
Why is Campari such an iconic Italian brand in your opinion?
Campari is an iconic Italian aperitif that leads the bitter (amaro) category with one-of-a-kind classic cocktails representing 160 years of heritage. With its distinct color, aroma, and flavor, Campari’s versatility to shine in a wide range of Negroni variations such as the Negroni Sbagliato, Campari Soda, and Campari Boulevardier have resulted in the brand’s classification as a timeless staple among home bar carts. Additionally, the flavor profile of Campari remains unchanged after 160 years and that dedication to quality and heritage helps to keep the brand top-of-mind when anyone mentions bitter Italian liqueurs. There are very few cocktails that require a specific brand and the relationship between Campari and the Negroni is a prime example, because without Campari, there is no Negroni.
The Negroni tends to be thought of as a boozy cocktail. What are a couple of ways to use Campari in a less spirits-forward drink?
The Negroni is a spirit-forward cocktail with a strong, bitter flavor. For consumers who are looking to enjoy Campari with a lower ABV, the Campari Soda is the perfect fit. Made with two simple ingredients, Campari and soda water, the Campari Soda is sophisticated enough to impress friends and family, while simple to make. As temperatures rise, the Campari Soda is a great sip for summer. The Garibaldi is also a good option and is my go-to choice when introducing new Campari drinkers to our cocktails. With just Campari and fresh orange juice, it’s simple to wrap your head around, and the balance of sweet citrus and Campari play perfectly together to provide an introduction to the bitterness.
Classic Negroni
Makes one cocktail
Ingredients:
1 part Campari
1 part Bulldog Gin
1 part 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso
Method:
- Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes.
- Garnish with an orange peel.