Negroni a la Rhum Agricole: French Caribbean Twist on an Italian Classic

Name: Negroni a la Rhum Agricole
Cook time: 1 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 1 oz Rhum JM VSOP; 1 oz Campari; 1 oz Sweet Vermouth

Steve

Developing a new Halloween cocktail doesn’t have to be difficult. Anything that’s blood-red can work. The easier it is to make, of course, the better. If it includes some amazing rhum agricole from Martinique, EVEN BETTER!! That’s why the Macouba Negroni is the perfect Halloween drink for me.

Negroni Origins

The traditional Negroni, as most know it, was invented in 1919 by a Count in Florence, Italy. His name: Camillo Negroni.

As the story goes, the Count was bored with a popular drink at the time called the Americano. A mix of Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and soda water (plus a lemon slice), the Americano didn’t pack enough punch for the Count. Replacing the soda water with gin did the trick for him, and thus the Negroni was born.

French Caribbean Twist

In our world, of course, it is rum, not gin, that most often makes everything better. Per above, if said rum is actually rhum agricole from Martinique… EVEN BETTER!!

In the specific case of the Negroni, the best rhum agricole to choose is Rhum JM VSOP. As I noted in an earlier JM VSOP review…

Devilishly rich, Rhum JM Vieux Agricole VSOP entices with hints of cinnamon, cloves, and toffee, finishing with the perfect balance of heat and smoothness.

The inspired blend of spices and heat in Rhum JM VSOP adds a wondrous new dimension and complexity to Italy’s most iconic cocktail. The Macouba Negroni is more dynamic and sophisticated than the original.

No doubt, the Count, or anyone else seeking a little more excitement in their drink, would approve.

What’s With the Name Macouba?

All of this is great, but why, you may be asking, is it called a “Macouba” Negroni? Is Macouba some kind of special spice, or bitters added to the mix?

The answer, like the cocktail, is simple.

Loyal UC readers may recall that Distillerie JM is located in the quiet town of Macouba in northern Martinique. This explains the Macouba in the name Macouba Negroni.

Mostly Traditional

The other spirits in the mix are drawn straight from the classic Negroni recipe. A bit of bitter from Campari is balanced by sweet Vermouth; an orange twist smoothing things out while adding some nice aromatics.

It’s the Rhum JM VSOP, though, that truly makes this Negroni a notch above.

Here’s how to make it, and where to buy Rhum JM VSOP online…

1 Cocktail