Ciao, Count Negroni

June 24-30 has been declared Negroni Week--seven days in which to raise a glass to Count Camillo Negroni, who created the cocktail. The year was 1919 and the city was Florence. Count Negroni enjoyed an Americano, but thought the drink would have more zip if its soda water were replaced by gin.

Thus, the Negroni: Campari, gin, and a splash of Italian vermouth over a large ice cube, with an orange wedge on the side. (One imaginative bartender rubs the rim of the glass with orange peel.)

A wonderfully refreshing drink, especially on a warm summer day, except for those whose palates reject the bitterness of Campari. One friend told us, "They should give that to people who want to stop drinking."

The American cousin of the Negroni is the Boulevardier, in which gin is replaced by bourbon. Equally tasty, if more Kentucky than Florence.

Also of interest: the grapefruit-Campari sorbetto, one of the 238 flavours offered at La Casa Gelato, on Venables Street in east Vancouver.

So, next week is Negroni Week. But if you can't wait, there's no rule that says we can't start practicing now.