Keen to nail the ultimate foodie cocktail? La Lupa's drinks curator Andrea Contin gives us the lowdown on his signature cocktail
Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family, which comes with the joy of indulging in a hearty meal or having a few drinks. For some, these celebrations can trigger heartburn or indigestion, but thanks to Gaviscon, you can enjoy this delicious time without hesitation. In celebration, we’ve partnered with Gaviscon to bring to you the 12 recipes of Christmas by some of our favourite Aussie chefs and bartenders. See all 12 recipes here.
Legend has it that the Negroni was born of necessity in Florence in 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli of the Caoni Grocery and Perfumery in Via de’ Tornabuoni, to give a little more punch to his Americano. A popular classic cocktail, the Americano is a low ABV mix of Campari, sweet Vermouth and soda waters – apparently not enough to bolster the Count, who asked for gin to be added, ditch the soda water, and thus, a legend was born. The Negroni is a bitter aperitif that can be enjoyed before (or after) a meal or with antipasti.
For Andrea Contin, drinks curator at La Lupa in Brisbane’s West End, the Negroni is the ideal way to ease into any festive party, a curative drop to prepare the palate for a marathon of grazing over Christmas lunch. “It’s perfect for summer because you’ve got the balance of bitterness and a little bit of sweetness and spice from the vermouth, so it’s quite fresh and it’s the kind of cocktail that goes with antipasti.”
So what's the secret to the Negroni's universal success? Contin reckons it has something to do with eating – "Most cocktails don’t pair well with food." It comes as no surprise that for many of us, the silly season is one of excess and with the endless feasting it can be handy to have a secret weapon for snacking.
The spirit of sharing is what Christmas is all about for this Italian expat, who in lieu of getting back to his family in Italy, is looking forward to spending time with friends, his partner and his dog over the festive season. “I’ve never been the type to sit and drink or eat alone. It’s very dangerous for me when I get back to Italy with my friends because we’ll drink four or five Negronis as an aperitif before dinner.” Instead, this year Contin will be enjoying a barbecue, heading to the beach, and of course, throwing back a couple of Negronis.
What sets the house La Lupa Vintage Negroni apart is the addition of Barolo Chinato, a fortified premium wine that’s been steeped with aromatic spices, adding sweetness and festive complexity to the traditional Italian quaffer.
30ml Select Bitter
30ml Tanqueray Gin
20ml Punt e Mes
10ml Nadia Curto Barolo Chinato
Orange peel
Gaviscon – if you suffer from heartburn or indigestion and want to eat and drink with confidence during the holidays!
Heartburn an issue? Pick up Gaviscon from your local grocery store or pharmacy. Make it a Christmas to remember and win a $2,000 Visa Gift Card from Gaviscon to spend on summer entertaining – head to www.gaviscon.com.au/win to enter.
Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry – and acid reflux has the potential to ruin all those plans. Luckily, Gaviscon has your back (or rather your oesophagus). This medicine may not be right for you. Read the label before purchase. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.
We've invited chefs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to contribute delicious recipes that will give any seasonal get-together a big lift. From the perfect Christmas turkey to a stunning seafood paella to summery cocktails, these are recipes that draw fans in top bars and restaurants that you can make at home to the amazement of your nearest and dearest.
