English Bartender Wayne Collins came up with a riff on a classic Negroni for a wine trade show in Bordeaux France in 2001. He wanted to make a Negroni but without Campari or Sweet Vermouth, so he swapped in Suze Gentian Aperitif and Lillet Blanc in their place. It was one of the first popular "riff" on a classic of the pre-prohibition cocktail revival of the early 2000's. It was made famous at Audrey Saunders bar Pegu Club where it was on the menu for years featuring Plymouth Gin. 

We have always made ours at the bar with Blanc Vermouth in place of the Lillet. We've also quibbled with the "white" designation when the extremely YELLOW Suze is involved. Plus that yellow comes from artificial colorants. So when Todd Leopold released his Aperitivo Bianco this year, and we mixed it with Ford's Gin and the lightly bitter Gran Bassano Vermouth Bianco, we knew we'd found the Negroni Bianco of our dreams! Currently on the menu at the bar next door, now you can make it yourself at home. The kit contains the makings of up to 24 cocktails!

Negroni Bianco
1 oz Leopold Bros. Aperitivo Bianco
1 oz Gran Bassano Vermouth Bianco
1 oz Ford's Gin

Stir all ingredients briefly over ice just until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass full of fresh ice (ideally a giant, crystal clear cube) and garnish with a grapefruit peel expressed over the top of the drink and rubbed around the rim of the glass.