Campari's Negroni: Jamaican style

 Krysta Anderson, Lifestyle Writer

Campari-inspired drink Negroni made it way to our green shores, and 12 of Jamaica's top bartenders rolled up their sleeves to put a Jamaican twist on the international drink. Last Thursday, they gathered at J. Wray & Nephew corporate offices on Dominica Drive to put their skills to the test, competing for the top spot of ultimate Negroni mixing champion, cash prize of $25,000 and their drinks will be available at J. Wray & Nephew's The Bar located at their corporate offices. The winning recipe will also be entered into the international Campari Negroni Bar Challenge later this month in New York City.

The judging panel consisting of chef and entrepreneur Jacqui Tyson, Ugo Fiorenzo, global brand director of Campari Group, and senior blender and operations manager at J. Wray and Nephew, David Morrison, engaged their taste palate, sampling the creations.

With nine male and three female bartenders, they created a diverse range of sweet and savoury flavours that were on display.

One by one, they created their concoctions that would be judged on presentation, use of local ingredient and, of course, taste. Nerves got the better of a few, while others confidently gave the history of their drink, and made an art out of their combination.

With each participant awarded with Campari goody bags for their efforts, J. Wray & Nephew's Dwayne Grant placed third with his Negroni Nice, while Peta-Gaye Silvera from M-10 Bar and Grill copped the second spot for her spin of King Negroni. In the end, the very first bartender who served his drink kept his number one spot, France Waite of Blends Bar and Lounge at The Pegasus hotel received his claim to fame for his truly Jamaican drink - Pimento Jerk Negroni.

To sweeten the deal for all those drink lovers out there, Food invites you to try the top Negroni Mixes below and let us know what you think.

France Waite's Pimento Jerk Negroni

Ingredients:

1 part Campari

1 part Gin

1 part Cinzano Vermouth Rosso

1¹/⁴ pimento jerk simple syrup and ice

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Pour over ice in rock glass. Garnish with pimento leaves and cherry.

Peta-Gaye Silvera's King Negroni

Ingredients:

1 part Campari

1 part Gin

1 part Cinzano Vermouth Rosso

1/2 oz Cocomani Rum

1tbs dark sugar

1 slice mango and grapefruit soda

Directions: Muddle mango and sugar, add all other ingredients and top with grapefruit soda. Garnish with cherry and mango slice.

Dwayne Grant's Negroni Nice

Ingredients:

1 part Campari

1 part Gin

1 part Cinzano Vermouth Rosso

1/2 oz lime juice

1/4 oz mango juice

1/4 oz orange juice

Directions: Muddle mango and orange juice and add all other ingredients. Stir and serve over ice. Garnish with mango and orange slices.

The winning drink will also be available at Blends Bar and Lounge, M-10 Bar and Grill, and SoSo Seafood.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com