There is nothing more Italian than the Negroni, and this year it is celebrating its centenary. Said to have been invented in Florence in 1919 at the request of Count Camillo Negroni, who—back from the hard-drinking West Coast of America—demanded that the soda water in his Americano cocktail be upgraded to gin. Since then, the Negroni has become one of the best known and loved Italian cocktails.
To mark the Negroni’s 100th birthday, Hotel de Russie’s Stravinskij Bar is serving its own special tribute to the classic aperitif: the Sparkling Gold Negroni. No ordinary Negroni, the Sparkling Gold version combines the distinct flavours of coffee and chocolate with a glittering gold leaf garnish for a seriously decadent serve.
Ingredients:
4 cl Bombay East Gin
3 cl espresso
3 cl Biancosarti
3 cl Martini Ambrato
2 drops of chocolate bitters
3 or 4 Coffee beans
Edible gold leaf, to decorate
Twist of lemon
Ice
Method
Pour the gin into a mixing glass with some ice cubes
Add the espresso, Biancosarti, Martini Ambrato and chocolate bitters and mix everything well with a bar spoon
Once mixed, strain and pour into a glass
Garnish with coffee beans, edible gold leaf and a twist of lemon
To enjoy more of the Stravinskij Bar’s Italian cocktails with a twist, please email reservations.derussie@roccofortehotels.com or call +39 06 32 888 830.
Vivacious, glamorous, powerful. Few figures encapsulate the effortless grandeur of the Belle Époque quite like Donna Franca, our Sicilian muse. Famed for her petite frame, thick dark hair and an exquisite fashion sense that has endured for over a century, Franca was the epitome of an era that placed beauty and high fashion at its forefront.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
Preparations were in full swing at the North Pole - ribbons tied, sleigh bells polished, and lists checked twice - yet Father Christmas kindly agreed to pause his busy schedule for an interview. We met him at SCOTCH at The Balmoral, just as the famous clocktower struck 12:03 - it stands watch over Waverley Station, running three minutes fast, so no one ever misses a train. Settled into a deep armchair with a favourite dram in hand, he shared his most treasured places to pause, indulge and unwind across Europe every festive season.
