Comuni

• 2.0 oz. Italian gin
• 1.0 oz. dry vermouth (preferably Italian)
• 0.5 oz. amaro (Meletti, though here I used and photographed an amaro I bought in Florence at the oldest western pharmacy)
• barspoon maraschino liqueur

Stir with ice and strain into glass.

I wanted a nice balanced gin cocktail somewhat like a negroni. I chose to stick with Italian ingredients, and opted for dry instead of sweet vermouth — I believe it was Carpano. I started with Meletti, but I did try the amaro liqueur I picked up from Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence a couple of years ago. The maraschino just adds a touch of brightness.

I named it for the city states in pre-unified Italy. No other reason beyond I liked the simple name for a simple, delicious drink.