A Musical Love Letter to the Sophisticated Aperitivo
Fords Gin launches The Negroni Sessions, a new vinyl LP featuring nine hand-selected tracks – a sophisticated soundtrack for a sophisticated cocktail. Now available exclusively on ReserveBar as a limited release giveaway, bundled with every purchase of a bottle of Fords Gin.
The Negroni Sessions is a unique record born from the world of Fords Gin and London Dry Records, which was the brainchild of Simon Ford, co-founder of Fords Gin, and his creative partner Kevin Dowell. Together, they push the boundaries of music curation, blending the artistry of fine cocktails with the soul of timeless sounds.
Ford himself has three passions: cocktails, music and travel – and combining them has become his life’s work. An intrepid explorer and an adventurer, for him, music is as integral to the experience as the choice of cocktail in your glass. He finds as much joy in a bar’s playlist as he does in sampling its menu. Ford also recognizes the key similarity between cocktails and music: both are unique pieces of art created for others to enjoy.
This LP is Fords Gin’s second release following Music To Drink Martinis To, a collection of seven tracks paired with the Martini, which was released in 2022. The Negroni Sessions taps into the catalogue of Craft Recordings, home to one of the most essential collections of master recordings in the world. It is curated in collaboration with its Jazz Dispensary imprint, which specializes in original sources of funk, jazz and all the areas they intersect. From acid-jazz grooves to spaced-out cosmic explorations and beyond, their vast library includes some of the coolest forgotten tracks of the 60s and 70s. The Negroni Sessions vinyl comes with rich information about the Negroni’s heritage plus nine Negroni cocktail recipe variations – one for each track on the record – created by some of the world’s best bartenders. The Negroni Sessions playlist is available online here via a selection of streaming services.
Like the Martini, the Negroni is a classic cocktail that has transcended popular culture, thanks to its three simple ingredients: Fords Gin, sweet red Italian vermouth and Campari™ liqueur. Its Italian heritage imbues it with the timeless elegance of aperitivo culture and its deep ruby hue oozes style. Legend has it that the Negroni’s complex flavor profile was first devised when Count Camillo Negroni of Florence requested a stronger version of the Americano cocktail. This story enhances its legacy, as does its continued portrayal as a debonair drink on the silver screen. The Negroni’s versatility and foolproof ratio of equal parts also make it a bartender favorite and an easy cocktail to recreate at home. It is no wonder then that the Negroni was named the best-selling cocktail at the world’s best bars in a 2024 annual cocktail report by Drinks International, and according to Datassential’s latest menu trends, it’s growing faster than any other classic gin cocktail in US menu penetration, with double-digit growth over the last four years.
“The Negroni Sessions invites you to sink deeper into the complex, alluring layers of the Negroni cocktail,” says Simon Ford, co-founder of Fords Gin. “There could be no better partners than Craft Recordings and Jazz Dispensary for matching music to this inimitable drink. It has been a privilege to explore their incredible collections while bringing this record to life. By digging into musical history through the lens of a famously polarizing serve — the bartenders’ handshake that is undeniably rich with symbolism — we hope we have succeeded in highlighting its signature characteristics, with music that amplifies that delicious Negroni moment for all.”
SIDE A TRACKS
1. Got Myself A Good Man – Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers
2. Got It Together – Rudy Robinson & The Hungry Five
3. Grab A Handful – Art Jerry Miller
4. Attica – Bernard Purdie
5. Fire Eater (7” Edit) – Rusty Bryant
SIDE A NEGRONIS
1. The Seventh Chord – Juyoung Kang (Las Vegas, NV)
2. Bye Bye Nightbird – Sade Stamps (Oakland, CA)
3. Cotton Candy Negroni – Ben Clemons (Nashville, TN)
4. Ode to Dean – Stefano Catino (Sydney, Australia)
5. On the Record – Chloe Carmella (New York, NY)
SIDE B TRACKS
1. E.V.A. – Jean-Jacques Perrey
2. Free Ride – Dizzy Gillespie
3. Gears – Johnny Hammond
4. Everything Counts (Dan the Automator Remix) – David Axelrod
SIDE B NEGRONIS
“Ahh the Negroni”, says Dan the Automator. “Probably one of the best drinks ever created, along with the Martini of course. When I want to have a cocktail, it is always a favorite. When I want to have a great Negroni, I call on Simon Ford. He always delivers with the best Negronis and the best Negroni makers. Together we have created a playlist to accompany—and hopefully enhance—the Negroni drinking experience. I have even created a special remix for the project. I chose to rework a song, as I feel it brings that special sort of funk. Much like how I feel Fords Gin does to a Negroni. Please enjoy (both)!”
