Enzoni

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Cocktail History

The Enzoni is a modern cocktail that was created by Vincenzo Errico while at Milk & Honey in New York City, New York. Named as a nod to an affectionate nickname given to Errico by his friends, the recipe is considered to be cross between a Negroni and a Gin Sour. It uses ingredients from the two classics, including gin, Campari, lemon, and simple syrup, but it uniquely omits the vermouth and uses muddled green grapes instead.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Gin: This is a spirit made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals to develop a distinctive, aromatic flavor.

Campari: This is a liqueur made in Italy with a blend of gentian root, herbs, spices, and citrus, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a bold, bitter orange flavor.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water, which are heated into a syrup with a sweet flavor.

Green Grapes: This is a small, sour green fruit.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 PARK Distillery Alpine Dry Gin
• 🔗 Campari
• 🔗 Liber & Co. Classic Pure Cane Gum Syrup

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Muddler: This is a handheld bar tool with a thick handle and flat or textured end that’s used for crushing ingredients to release their flavors.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender skewer made from metal, wood, or bamboo that’s used for holding cocktail garnishes in place.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving cocktails with ice or spirits neat.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 OXO Steel Cocktail Muddler
• 🔗 I-MART Silver Metal Cocktail Pick Set
• 🔗 Libbey Heavy Base Rocks Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Eye-popping orange red color

• Aroma: Gentian root and fresh citrus

• Taste: Dry flavor that gives way to herbal gin botanicals, bitter Campari, and obvious grape notes

• Finish: Slight citrus with more herbal flavors

Kendall’s Take
“The Enzoni is a clever riff on the Negroni that introduces lemon juice and fresh grapes into the mix. The small amount of citrus brightens the drink nicely and gives it a lighter, more refreshing feel than many Campari-based cocktails, in my opinion. Meanwhile, the grapes add a hint of sweetness that balances the bittersweet backbone. It’s a really interesting variation that highlights how versatile this style of cocktail can be.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the book Steve The Bartender’s Cocktail Guide by Steve Roennfeldt.