Count Negroni

The Negroni

Infamous cocktail guru and Brit expat, Gary Regan is the reigning authority on the history of the Negroni cocktail. The avid mixologist recently published The Negroni: Drinking to La Dolce Vita, and traced the drink all the way back to 1919 Italy. According to legend, the cocktail was born when a patron at Bar Casoni in Florence, Italy demanded a stiffer version of the Americano cocktail, a relatively tame mix of Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and club soda. The bartender obliged by swapping out the club soda for Gin.

The patron was Count Camillo Negroni, whose penchant for strong spirits began while working as a rodeo clown and cattle wrangler in the American Wild West. The Count loved this libation so much, he graciously lent his name to the concoction, and the rest, as they say, is history. For almost a century, the Negroni remained a quiet classic. Though readily available in many Italian bars and eateries, it remained a mystery for most cocktail adventurers until recently. With the resurgence of Pre-Prohibition Era Cocktails, it is estimated that the Negroni appears on 300% more cocktail lists than 10 years ago, and has grown to become this drinking generation’s zeitgeist cocktail.

So why has the Negroni reached such heights? Besides being an incredibly well-balanced drink (strong, bitter, sweet, herbal), it’s hard to go wrong with this cocktail. This means that no matter where in the world you happen to be, if you order a Negroni, you are guaranteed a great libation.

What makes NVD’s Negroni so special? We use our infamous Old Hollywood Ginn and it’s scandalous blend of nine botanicals, which perfectly complement the Sweet Vermouth and contrast the bitter Amaro.

Try one. It won’t be your last.

Mar 22, 2017 at 3:33 PM Permalink Comments (12)

The Aviation Cocktail

The Aviation

Proof that the Sky's the Limit

The early 1900’s were an exciting and innovative time in history. They ushered in the rise of aviation as manned “aero planes” took flight for the first time. The men and women who took to the skies became heroes to those watching from below. These new planes and pilots paved the way for commercial flights, and brought the four corners of the earth together as never before. Naming a cocktail after this revolutionary time was the least that could be done. The Aviation is believed to be one of the last great Pre-Prohibition Era Cocktails.

Initially thought to have been created in the 1930’s, the Aviation was made with Gin, Lemon Juice, and Maraschino Liqueur. It wasn’t until rather recently that an original recipe for the Aviation was found in a copy of Recipes for Mixed Drinks by Hugo Ensslin, written in 1916. This not only showed that the Aviation was older than previously thought, but also provided us with a fourth, previously unknown ingredient. The original 1916 recipe called for a small amount of Crème De Violette. With the addition of this rare spirit, not only was there a great deal of intricacy added to the cocktail, but the entire aromatics profile was changed.

The Elusive Creme De Violette

Previously difficult to obtain in the United States, Crème De Violette is a sweet liqueur made with Violet flowers. Thoughthe name suggests the addition of cream, the word Crème refers to the silky smooth texture and feel of the liqueur. In true NVD form, we decided to break from tradition just enough to stand out from the crowd. Our Crème de Violette is made from a base of Neutral Brandy, and includes three additional botanicals to complement the Violets and add complexity. We also decided to bottle it at a higher ABV than other Crème De Violettes, allowing it to highlight any cocktail in an elegant fashion. Finally, we used natural means to add the distinctive color, ensuring that our Crème De Violette makes its presence known in any cocktail, and on any bar!

The Napa Valley Distillery Aviation

Ingredients: 

2oz NVD Old Hollywood Ginn*

.75oz Maraschino Liqueur

.5oz fresh lemon juice

.25oz Creme De Violette*

Garnish:

 Lemon twist

Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (optional)

Directions:

Add optional Maraschino Cherry to a coupe glass. Add all ingredients and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into prepared glass. Garnish, and serve. Enjoy and repeat responsibly!

Mar 15, 2017 at 3:33 PM Permalink Comments (146)

March 2017 | The Twin Spires

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Sipping On A Daiquiri

The History of the Daiquiri

Picture it: Ernest Hemmingway drinking a Daiquiri in a poorly lit bar corner as he penned Islands in the Stream. Incorporating the magical blend of flavors into the pages, a cocktail that would transcend time just as the pages it was written on. 

Legend has it that after a hard day’s work in the hot tropical weather of Cuba, a man named Jennings Cox invited some guests to his home for a much needed drink. Finding that he lacked an adequate stock of imported Gin, Cox realized he only had local Rum to serve his guests, which he refused to serve straight. Looking around his kitchen, he decided to add a bit of lime juice and sugar.

After just a few sips, Cox and his guests realized they were on to something special, worthy of a name that would stand out in a crowd. Being just a short distance from the village of Daiquiri, they couldn’t have chosen a more perfect title for this most refreshing cocktail.

Our Rumslinger Rum

Napa Valley Distillery is proud to present to you our very first Rum. It is a very special offering that requires a little explanation. We chose to age our Rum in 10-15 gal former Bourbon barrels which have kissed our Rum with a generous tint of color and a tantalizing Bourbon note. Unlike any Rum we’ve ever tasted, we highly recommend enjoying this Rum neat, or in your favorite island inspired libations. Also, try it in a Rum Old Fashioned. Delish! 

Our Daiquiri Cocktail

With the introduction of Rum to our lineup, the Daiquiri was an obvious choice for our new Cocktail.  Its rich history makes it a perfect addition to our line-up of craft cocktails in a bottle! Made with NVD Rum, the Daiquiri the perfect cocktail for a hot summer day. We hope that you enjoy this cocktail with appreciation for the fact that this is the perfect time in our history to celebrate the culture, music, food, and drinks of Cuba.  Cheers!

Mar 2, 2017 at 3:33 PM Permalink Comments (1)