I like the idea of this thread. It offers a most appriciable venue for the tweeking of stock recipes.
My preferred Negroni:
2 measures Campari
2 measures Rosso Vermouth
3 measures Hendricks gin
1 squirt Angostura Bitters
Ice cubes
Orange zest
Orange wedge
Mix the Campari, Rosso and Gin and bitters in a large tumbler. Stir well.
Add the ice cubes (don't splash) and wedge of orange. Zest the orange over the drink.
Why I like it this way:
I like the extra measure of gin for potency and I spec 2/2/3 rather than 1/1/1.5 for measures because the drink lasts longer. Extra potency can be achieved for those who aren't gin lovers by using one part vodka to two parts gin, keeping to the balance of the original recipe but with a little extra kick. I don't like to shake everything up in a cocktail mixer. Partially because it isn't needed in order to mix and can as they say "bruise" the gin, but particularly because doing so tends to means adding the ice at the start in order to cool the mixture. The ingredients should be cold to begin with, the ice is there to maintain the temperature of the drink, not to facilitate it. Give the orange wedge a good stabbling with a fork and a slight squeeze if you fancy more of the orange juice in to the mix.