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The Negroni is made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, rendering a nice balance of bitter, sweet, and herbal flavors. Once you come to appreciate the subtle citrusy and spicy flavors of Campari, you’ll appreciate this iconic cocktail that much more.
Table of Contents
Brief History
The story of the Negroni dates back to the 1910s in Florence, Italy. Legend has it that Count Camillo Negroni, a frequent patron of Caffè Casoni, requested the bartender to strengthen his favorite cocktail, the Americano, by replacing club soda with gin. The addition of gin gave birth to what we now know as the Negroni.
This cocktail had to grow on me before I was able to fully enjoy the complex flavors hidden behind the upfront bitterness of Campari. Once you acquire a taste for it, you can experience the more nuanced characteristics. I like to add orange bitters and an orange peel to my Negroni. It adds an extra boost of citrus that makes it more inviting and citrusy. A Negroni without a twist of orange falls somewhat flat.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Gin: the base spirit that provides a strong botanical backbone. Look for London dry gin for the best results.
- Campari: Campari is a bitter and citrusy, crimson-colored Italian liqueur often served as an aperitif. It has notes of baking spices such as cinnamon and clove. There aren’t really any other alternatives. If you’re looking for another way to use Campari, try the tiki-inspired Jungle Bird.
- Sweet vermouth: a fortified wine, aromatized with a range of botanicals that lends a touch of richness and sweetness, rounding out the drink. I like Dolan and Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth.
- Optional orange bitters: my favorite subtle cheat/twist is to add orange bitters to the cocktail, lending orange notes that really heighten the aroma and drinking experience.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Serving and Variations
Traditionally, the Negroni is served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass, garnished with a twist of orange peel. The citrus oils released from the twist create a bold citrus aroma that enhances the entire drinking experience. If you’ve ever sipped an Old Fashioned without citrus you understand how transformative the oils really are.
Some bartenders have experimented with different spirits in place of gin, such as bourbon or mezcal. The Boulevardier is a popular French classic that is essentially a bourbon Negroni served up with a twist of orange. The mezcal Negroni is a one-for-one remake of the Negroni made with mezcal in place of gin.
Expert Tips
- Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer to keep your drinks cooler for longer. This is one of my favorite tricks in the summer.
- Always pour cocktails over fresh ice after mixing. This ensures your ice cubes are fresh and won’t melt as quickly, diluting your cocktail.
- The Negroni is stirred to preserve body, however, you should experiment with shaking it to see how the texture and taste changes with more dilution.
Similar Classic Cocktails
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Negroni Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ounce London dry gin, I like Bar Hill Gin, Plymouth Gin, and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth, Dolin, Noily Pratt, Carpano Antica
- 1 ounce Campari
- orange peel garnish
- 2 dashes orange bitters, not classic but optional
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and optional bitters. Add ice and stir vigorously.
- Strain into a chilled double old-fashioned glass over fresh ice.
- Squeeze orange peel over the glass to extract oils (you'll see the oils float on the surface of the drink if done properly), wipe the rim of the glass with the peel and garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
