Part of Chantal Tseng’s “Literary Cocktails” series, this Negroni Sbagliato riff draws on both the bitter and sweet moments of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s contemporary novel Americanah. “This drink builds on that Italian pairing of bitter orange and salty, mineral-y fruit and wine,” explains Tseng. “I like the salty tang of the coconut water here combined with the earthy, almost beer-like quality of the frizzante rosé,” she says. “They all give you that overall ‘blood, sweat and tears’ vibe, but in a nuanced riff of an old story.”
The Americanah
Chantal Tseng, Petworth Citizen | Washington, D.C.
Ingredients
Serving: 1
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth, preferably Contratto Rosso
- 1 ounce coconut water
- Lambrusco rosato, to top (preferably, Il Cadetto Rosé Frizzante)
Garnish: dried orange slice, mini American flag
Directions
- Combine the Campari, sweet vermouth and coconut water in a rocks or highball glass over ice.
- Top with Lambrusco.
- Garnish with a dried orange slice and a mini American flag.