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The Mezcal Negroni Sour draws inspiration from the Whiskey Sour and Negroni, featuring mezcal, Campari, sweet vermouth, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. The combination of bitter, sweet, tart, and smokey flavors makes for a bold and well-balanced cocktail.
Table of Contents
Brief History
This cocktail is a fusion of several modern riffs on the classic Negroni born during the early 2000s cocktail renaissance. While the concept does not have a known singular creator, one of the more well-known early mentions of the Mezcal Negroni comes from Phil Ward, a prominent bartender known for pioneering mezcal cocktails at Mayahuel in New York City.
This cocktail was love at first sip, making it my favorite recent cocktail. Thanks to the added sugar and fresh lemon juice it’s less bitter and more balanced than a Negroni. If you enjoy the occasional Negroni and consider yourself a Mezcal lover, this cocktail is for you.
While you can make this drink without egg white, I much prefer the added texture it contributes. Also check out the Jungle Bird, a citrusy and bitter tiki cocktail made with pineapple and Campari. I also have a very similar Tequila and Mezcal Sour.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Mezcal: mezcal brings a smoky depth and bold character to the cocktail. I like to switch it up but my go-to bottles are Banhez or Del Maguey Vida. For a milder smokiness, you can opt for a joven mezcal or substitute with blended Scotch whisky for a similar vibe. It’s also good with gin!
- Campari: Campari’s bitterness and citrus notes are essential to the cocktail’s Negroni foundation. If you need a substitute, Aperol is a lighter, sweeter option, though it will alter the overall bitterness of the drink and vibe more with the Naked and Famous.
- Sweet vermouth: Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino are solid choices for richer vermouth. I also like Dolin for a lighter option.
- Lemon juice: avoid bottled lemon juice for the best flavor. I use a citrus squeezer for easy and efficient juicing. Fresh orange juice is also a unique alternative.
- Simple syrup: 1:1 simple syrup is a common cocktail sweetener typically made with equal parts white granulated sugar and water. It mixes easily unlike granulated sugar, which usually sinks to the bottom of the glass.
- Egg white: egg white provides the silky frothy head. If you’re unsure of using raw eggs, try pasteurized eggs or liquid pasteurized egg whites. For a vegan alternative, substitute 1 ounce of aquafaba (chickpea water from a can of chickpeas). It’s flavorless and can be treated the same way as egg white.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Expert Tips
- Cocktails with egg white should be shaken first without ice (dry shake) and then again with ice afterward. A dry shake helps break down the proteins in the egg white, resulting in a creamier and frothier texture with a thick head of foam.
- Chill your glass in the freezer to keep your drink colder for longer!
- Always double-strain shaken cocktails, especially when using egg whites. This improves the foamy head and limits excess dilution from tiny ice chips entering the cocktail.
More Campari Cocktails
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Mezcal Negroni Sour
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 3/4 ounce Campari
- 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Dry shake first: in a shaker, combine mezcal, Campari, vermouth, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously, without ice, for 20 seconds. A dry shake helps break down the proteins in the egg white, resulting in a creamier and smoother texture.
- Add ice and shake for an additional 5-7 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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