Cocktail minute with Toby Maloney: the Maloney Negroni

October 24, 2007 | Newsroom

Reposted from Chicago Reader Blogs: The Food Chain, August 24, 2007

by Mike Sula

Thirsty for a Negroni? We invite you to watch a video where Toby Maloney, head mixologist and partner at the Violet Hour in Chicago, mixes his version of the Negroni. The supercold ice cubes Maloney uses are made by the bar's Kold-Draft machine. He calls the Kold-Draft machine "the Ferrari of ice machines," not just for its excellence, but for its temperament. "Every one is different," he says.

The following are some of the comments posted in the Chicago Reader Blogs: The Food Chain that we also would like to share with you:

“I guess I had never considered the quality of the ice cube as a factor in a good mixed beverage, but it makes sense. Not only does the ice become part of the drink itself, but it's essential in mixing the cocktail and thus, bringing out the flavors. I don't know if I could afford to invest in a top-of-the-line ice machine though. …which is why you get the pleasure to go out and let a business that owns one make the drink for you. …”