I can’t believe I’m subtweeting this, but:

Stir, do not shake, a negroni.

Generally speaking, you should only shake cocktails that include an opaque ingredient that benefits from forceful emulsification (by ice) or some froth/bubbles, such as citrus, creams, egg whites or egg yolk. A cocktail that includes only translucent ingredients can be stirred.

A negroni is my absolute favourite cocktail. It’s excellent to make at home because 1) it’s delicious, 2) it’s made with ingredients you can find at any liquor store, and 3) it’s easy to remember a 1:1:1 ratio. You don’t even need a shot glass, just use any measurement 3x.

Some other cocktails that fit this bill, in ascending complexity:

1) Boulevardier, a negroni made with bourbon instead of gin.
2) Naked & Famous (4 easy ingredients at 1:1:1:1).
3) Paper Plane (3 easy, one rarer ingredient at 1:1:1:1).

I’m drinking a Paper Plane right now and let me tell you, dear reader, it is an experience.

Returning to this thread because tonight I’m drinking a Naked & Famous, and dear reader, it is an experience.