Do you know what is a Negroni?

Designed to be an aperitif, a good Negroni is a balance of sophistication and simplicity. The aromatic sweet vermouth smoothers Campari’s bitterness, while the gin adds some depth to this iconic cocktail. It has grown in popularity over the past few years and is now available on most bar menus. 

History of Negroni

Thought to have been invented in 1919, in Florence, Italy at Caffè Casoni. The story goes that Count Camillo Negroni asked his friend and bartender Fosco Scarselli, to strengthen his favourite cocktail, the Americano*. He did so by switching the soda for gin and garnished it with an orange peel to signify it was a different drink. Soon, everyone was coming into the bar and ordering a ‘Count Negroni.

 

The Americano

 

To pay tribute to this famous cocktail, Scott & Co Ltd and C Mauritius have collaborated to organize a competition to create the best Negroni. This was held on Saturday 5th September, 2020 at the C Mauritius Hotel, Palmar. 

15 bartenders from five hotel groups namely Lux* Collective, Sun Resorts, Constance Hotels & Resorts, Beachcomber Hotels & Resorts, and Indigo Hotel across the country met for the Negroni by the C Punch Battle, a competition organized by Scott and C Resorts Mauritius. These professionals had to create a unique and exclusive punch using the base of Negroni, a famous Italian cocktail. The objective was to have a new cocktail signature with Aperol, Beefeater London Dry Gin and Cinzano Vermouth Rosso. 

This competition was reserved to Assistant Bar Managers and bartenders. The contest lasted an hour during which participants had to design and prepare a punch for more than 30 people.  

 

[From left to right (Jury): Winsley Williams - Wine Specialist of Scott, Renaud Azema - Chief Executive Officer of Vatel Mauritius, Olivier De Gardia – General Manager of C Mauritius, Matthew Taylor - Chief Executive Officer of Scott,Dominique Grel – Director of Reynaud les Halles, Agnes Sagot – Director of Gourmet Market at Azur ]

 [Front (Organiser): Michael Gaspard – Sales Executive of Scott, Sandrine Richard – Brand Manager – Spirits, Sonia Donat – Head of HORECA & Scott Home Delivery]

 

One of the Jury – Winsley Williams – Wine Specialist of Scott – judging the technical skills of a bartender's cocktail.

 

Some pictures clicked during the battle at C Mauritius 

 

Spirits used during the competition of C Punch Battle: Beefeater London Dry Gin, Aperol & Cinzano Rosso. 

 

 The “Perfect serve” of each participant 

Sun Resorts

Indigo Hotels & Resorts

Constance Hotels & Resorts

Beachcomber Hotels & Resorts

Lux* Collective

 

All the members of the jury and organizers gathered with their results sheets to exchange their impressions and comments in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and each delivered the marks they awarded. The final count and result announced was reflective of general feeling of all voters with no possible ambiguity.

 

 The winning team of the competition was the group Constance Hotels & Resorts.