Here’s one more thing that was born in Florence. After the story of the ice cream and the cologne, now it’s time for a must-drink Italian cocktail.

Yes, it’s true: Negroni cocktail comes from Florence.

The story

Negroni cocktail was born in Café Casoni, in Florence. On day, a noble man was having his usual pre-dinner drink, the Americano (made of Campari, vermouth and soda) and asked the bartender to “streghten” it, adding some gin. The cocktail was so appreciated that in a short period of time it became very popular. It was 1919 and the bartender gave the cocktail the name of its inventor: count Camillo Negroni.

The café still exists, but it changed the name in Café Giacosa. It is now property of the Roberto Cavalli group (famous Italian fashion stylist) and even if the interior design has been renovated it still preserves the belle epoque look of that time. It also offers delicious pastries.

It is located in via della Spada, close to the corner with famous via de’ Tornabuoni, opposite corner of Palazzo Strozzi. Like many of the cafés in Florence it offers different range of prices and everything costs a little more when you order at the table.