No Negroni Recipe

Expressed orange oil

Cut a large strip of orange peel (about 2 x 1 inches) with a peeler, avoiding too much white pith. If you want a slightly richer oil texture, lightly smear 1/4 tsp neutral oil on the peel's exterior. Hold the peel over the prepared rocks glass (or a small heatproof bowl if you prefer to collect oil) with the outer zest facing down about 6 inches above the glass. Firmly fold the peel inward (skin side toward the glass) to express the volatile oils — you should see a fine spray/flick of oil and smell the aroma. Rub the expressed side briefly across the rim of the glass and optionally wipe the remaining oil onto the glass interior. If using the neutral oil method to mimic Pathfinders 'root' body, warm the peel slightly between your hands before folding to release more oil.

Place one large clear ice cube or sphere into the rocks glass that you just scented with orange oil.

In a mixing glass, add 3 oz St. Agrestis Phony Negroni (or bottled non-alcoholic negroni substitute), 1 oz Pathfinder Hemp & Root (or similar hemp-infused aperitif), and 1/4 oz fresh orange juice. The orange juice brightens and ties the expressed oil to the liquid. No additional sweetener is needed.

Add plenty of ice to the mixing glass and stir gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 30–40 revolutions) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted (~15–20% dilution is typical for a stirred cocktail). Stirring will integrate the heavier plant/herbal notes from the Pathfinder with the phony negroni base.

Strain the chilled cocktail over the prepared ice cube in the scented rocks glass using a hawthorne or julep strainer.

Take the reserved orange peel and give one final firm fold (express) over the surface of the drink to release a burst of fresh oil onto the top. Optionally, hold the peel slightly above the drink and flame it briefly with a match or lighter for 1–2 seconds to caramelize some of the surface oils (only if you are comfortable with flaming citrus).

Drop the expressed peel into the glass or hang it on the rim. Add a dried orange wheel if using for extra visual appeal and a mild toasted aroma.

Serve immediately and instruct the guest to enjoy the aromatic orange oil first — it provides the bright citrus counterpoint to the herbal, hemp-root and bitters-forward phony negroni base.