Enzoni Cocktail - Fresh Gin and Campari with Grapes - Modern Classic

Tasting Results

Tommy
Taste: 7, Balance: 8, Drinkability: 7, Would we order it at a bar: Yes
I liked this one a lot, but I agree with Snorre that it is somewhat sharp, which I enjoy.

Snorre
Taste: 7, Balance: 8, Drinkability: 5, Would we order it at a bar: Yes
Snorre found the drink to be sour, while the overall balance was good. Enzoni is fresh and interesting, but may be perceived as a bit sharp by some.

Enzoni is a modern cocktail developed by bartender Vincenzo Errico in 2003 at the Milk & Honey bar in New York City. The drink is inspired by the structure of the Negroni cocktail but replaces vermouth with fresh lemon and crushed grapes.

The result is a cocktail that combines the bitterness of Campari with the fresh acidity of lemon and the natural sweetness of grapes. Enzoni has since become a popular modern classic in cocktail bars around the world.

Ingredients:
45 ml gin
30 ml Campari
20 ml fresh lemon juice
15 ml simple syrup
5 green grapes

Instructions (mise en place):

1. Mise en place. Measure out all the ingredients. Squeeze fresh lemon juice. Gather shaker, muddler, bar strainer, and rocks glass.
2. Place the grapes in the shaker.
3. Muddle the grapes gently to release the juice.
4. Add gin, Campari, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
5. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
6. Shake vigorously for about 10 to 12 seconds.
7. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
8. Garnish with green grapes on a cocktail pick.

Drink responsibly.

Flavor Profile:

Fresh and balanced cocktail with bitterness from Campari, citrus notes from lemon, and mild fruity sweetness from grapes. Gin provides aromatic botanical tones that tie the flavors together.

Glass Type or Serving Suggestion:

Rocks glass

Enzoni is a cocktail that represents modern mixology at its best. It combines classic Italian bitter notes with fresh fruit and citrus. The result is a drink that is both complex and very easy to enjoy.

The cocktail was developed in 2003 by bartender Vincenzo Errico. At that time, he was working at the Milk & Honey bar in New York. This bar is known for having a significant influence on the modern cocktail movement.

Milk & Honey was one of the bars that helped revive classic cocktail techniques. The focus was on quality, balance, and precision. Many modern classics were developed during this period, and Enzoni is one of them.

The structure of Enzoni is inspired by Negroni. Negroni is one of the most famous Italian cocktails and traditionally consists of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in equal parts. The taste is bitter, aromatic, and strong.

Enzoni is based on this structure but makes several important changes. Vermouth is removed and replaced with lemon juice and simple syrup. Additionally, fresh grapes are added and muddled in the shaker.

This change gives a completely different style. The drink becomes fresher and fruitier while retaining the characteristic bitterness from Campari.

The grapes play an important role in the cocktail. When muddled, both juice and natural sugar are released. This provides a mild sweetness and a round fruitiness that balances the bitterness.

Green grapes are most often used because they provide a clean and light flavor. They also add a subtle aroma that makes the cocktail more complex without dominating.

Gin serves as the base of the drink. Gin contains botanical ingredients such as juniper berries, citrus, and various herbs. These aromatic components provide depth and structure.

When gin is combined with Campari, a classic flavor combination occurs. Campari adds bitterness and herbal complexity. At the same time, it gives the cocktail a characteristic red color.

Lemon juice provides fresh acidity that livens up the drink. The acidity balances both the bitterness from Campari and the sweetness from the grapes and simple syrup.

Simple syrup is used in relatively small amounts. The purpose is not to make the drink sweet but to create balance between acidity and bitterness.

The technique behind Enzoni is also important. The grapes are muddled first in the shaker. This allows the flavor from the grapes to blend well with the other ingredients.

After this, gin, Campari, lemon juice, and simple syrup are added. The shaker is then filled with ice and shaken vigorously.

Shaking ensures cooling and proper dilution. It also helps to integrate the flavor from the grapes with the rest of the cocktail.

When the drink is strained, it is common to use double straining. This means using both a bar strainer and a fine mesh strainer. The purpose is to remove small bits of grape skin and pulp.

The result is a clear and elegant cocktail with a smooth texture.

Serving is usually done in a rocks glass filled with ice. This makes the drink more relaxed and easy to drink. The ice cubes keep the cocktail cold while gradually diluting it.

The garnish is often a cocktail pick with green grapes. This enhances the fruity character of the drink and provides a visual hint of the ingredients.

Enzoni has become very popular in cocktail bars around the world. Many bartenders enjoy it because it combines a classic bitter profile with fresh fruitiness.

For guests, the drink often serves as an entry point to more bitter cocktails. It is less intense than a traditional Negroni but retains much of the character.

For home bartenders, Enzoni is a very accessible cocktail. The ingredients are easy to find, and the technique is relatively simple to learn.

The most important thing is to use fresh grapes and fresh lemon juice. This provides the best flavor and makes the cocktail more aromatic.

Enzoni is also a cocktail that can be adjusted to taste. A little more or less simple syrup can significantly change the balance.

Some bartenders also experiment with different types of gin. A more citrus-forward gin can make the drink fresher, while a more herbal gin can add extra complexity.

Despite these variations, the core of the drink remains the same. Enzoni is about the balance between bitterness, acidity, and fruit.

This balance is what makes the cocktail both interesting and easy to drink. It is also the reason why it is now considered a modern classic in the cocktail world.