In Pursuit of the Perfect Cocktail

My quest for the perfect cocktail continued this weekend with a study of the Negroni, that classic combination of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. A thoroughly enjoyable libation, but to many an acquired taste, the negroni has gained in fashion recently. My liquid research included the classic 1:1:1 ratio of Hendrick's Gin, Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth, and Campari. Though the drink was excellent, I felt that there was room for improvement. I would like to try various combinations of gin and sweet vermouth, in particular, I would like to try Punt e Mes Vermouth, both their regular and Antica formula. In regards to gin, there are a number of variations I would like to try including: Plymouth, Junipero, and Bombay Sapphire. Oh yes, music makes the research that much more enjoyable, jazz being the perfect accompaniment. Click here to listen

1. Straight Ahead - Kenny Dorham
2. Caprice - Ron Thomas Trio
3. The Calling - Alex Harding & Blutopia
4. Our Thing - Joe Henderson
5. For Giuffre - Lucian Ban & Asymmetry
6. Caravan (Ellington / Mills / Tizol) - Eyran Katsenelenbogen
7. Back In The Day - Orbert Davis
8. Fuego - Donald Byrd
9. Folk Song - Klaus Suonsaari
10. Breath of the Volcano (Geoffrey Keezer) - Geoffrey Keezer
11. Love In Outer Space - Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Arkestra
12. At The Ball - Jarmo Savolainen
13. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year - Joe Locke and David Hazeltine Quartet
14. Adventures Aboard The Golden Mean - Wayne Shorter