gin

One of my favorite Christmas time films is a somewhat obscure gem called Holiday Affair which stars Robert Mitchum and Janet Lee. Although it seems odd to cast Robert Mitchum in a seasonal, romantic comedy, the big guy is actually very effective as the independent, down on his luck department store clerk. 

“The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other.”-Orson Welles (said to have been commenting on the Negroni).

What exactly is a Negroni?

The Negroni is mixed drink said to have been created in Italy about a century ago. The drink is considered an apéritif (I prefer it before dinner, although it may be soothing after as well).

The ingredients are actually very simple; gin, sweet vermouth, and the bright red/orange Italian bitter liqueur Campari