Crime Fiction and Negroni Week

A fruitful few days in San Diego at Bouchercon with about 1700 crime fiction and mystery writers, publishers, editors, agents, and fans. I had a great time with—and recommend that you read—all of the following:

Negroni service at JK Place in Capri

Negroni Week

Negroni Week starts on Monday, May 18. The Negroni is one of my favorite drinks and I have discussed it in some detail here. Not always approachable at the first sip, but simple and versatile and elegant:

The essence of a Negroni—one-third gin, one-third Campari, one-third red vermouth—should not be fiddled with, but there are some appropriate variations. Many of them may be found in The Negroni: A Love Affair With A Classic Cocktail, from which I made “The Tunnel” (and yes, I strained it into a Nick ‘n Nora glass instead over stirring over rocks):

The Tunnel (from “The Negroni” by Matt Hranek) [recipe from Cravan, a bar in Paris).

[The Negroni] is a really fine invention. It has the power, rare with drinks and indeed with anything else, of cheering you up.

Kingsley Amis, “Everyday Drinking”