Perfect for those warm days when matters of money aren't going your way, a Camparinete - better known as a Negroni - can transport you to any place you'd rather be. This cocktail isn't for the fainthearted or conservative in spirit. Rather, it's the toast to the rookie entrepreneur's fledgling steps toward permanent retirement.

Many a great idea has been hatched during times of relaxation. One only has to recall Archimedes' leap from the bathtub or Sir Isaac Newton's collision with an apple to be reminded that chance and destiny often go as well together as Campari and gin.

Gaspare Campari is said to have built his liqueur empire on hard work and daydreams during the late 1800s. After inventing Campari for what he called "gastric therapy," Mr. Campari decided to tackle cholera with Fernet-Campari, "a liqueur for reducing fever, a wormkiller, a tonic that warms, anti-cholera." Although this general cure-all was short lived, Bitter Campari has become an institution.

Invite a few Campari fanatics over for Negronis and lottery tickets. While you mix drinks, have your friends play Dorothy Parker's game from "The Standard of Living," in which you're allotted a few million to spend. The only rule is to spend this sum - to be itemized - on only yourself. As your guests are distracted by the game, prepare the drinks. Made of equal parts gin, Campari, sweet vermouth shaken and served up with an orange wedge, this recipe should be simple enough, though it never is.

Inevitably, your guests will kibitz as you mix, perhaps insisting on 2 ounces of Campari and only an ounce of gin or a tumbler with lots of ice. Although you may peaceably relent on the amount of gin or glassware used, stand strong about using the correct garnish. Many may offer seemingly sound arguments for wanting a lemon instead of the traditional orange. But because this garnish is functional - you actually squeeze it into the drink - it's a necessity for removing the overly acerbic edge of a Negroni and to keep the drink truly Italian.

If need be, remind your guests that a Negroni is a serious aperitif that could lead to indigestion if any of its elements are overdone. Mr. Campari invented this drink's key liqueur to be only "generally tolerated by the stomach and - because of some nervous reflex, or psychic action - stimulate the appetite and excite gastric juices." Soon after the last Negroni is enjoyed, serve zabaglione and biscotti to the sounds of the Kinks' "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon," a loud lament about the lifestyles of the idle rich.

As the afternoon melts away and your friends scratch at their lottery cards, rest assured that it's just as well you're not part of the nouveau riche. If you were any richer, you'd just want something more than a US$12 bottle of Campari.

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