The title of Obi Wan Negroni doesn’t belong to a specific cocktail served at East Somerville’s Fat Hen. Rather, it’s passed down to a new riff on the classic drink that emerges each season. (Much like the Jedi master it’s named after, it never truly disappears.)

The iteration served this summer includes Campari, Cinzano sweet vermouth, and blood orange-infused Citadelle gin.

“Citadelle is the gin we like to use the most for mixing because it’s a little bit softer,” says Fat Hen beverage consultant Mary-Margaret Gallup. “With cocktails, you get a finer balance of flavors.”

That same quality allows the tart and floral nuances of blood orange to shine through in the finished drink.

Blood orange also lends some bitterness, which is amplified by the Campari. “Bitter is a palate-cleansing flavor,” explains Gallup. “When you have a menu with a lot of spices and different ingredients, you want drinks that are palate-cleansing so you can taste all of the nuances in the food.”

Obi Wan Negroni
1 ounce blood orange-infused gin*
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce Cinzano Rosso
1 orange wedge, for garnish

Add all ingredients except orange wedge to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube and garnish with orange wedge.

*Blood Orange-Infused Gin
1 750ml bottle Citadelle gin
7.5 ounces blood orange puree (such as The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley Blood Orange Concentrate)

Combine gin and puree in a container, seal, and refrigerate. After 24 hours, strain out pulp. Keeps indefinitely, refrigerated.