For a twist on the classic bittersweet negroni, try our white negroni, aperol negroni, and negroni sbagliato. It’s characteristically bitter with sweet and fruity notes to balance it out. With equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, it’s an easy recipe to make, and even easier to memorize. While negronis can be an acquired taste, there are lots of ways to tweak the flavors by experimenting with different gins or sweet vermouths. Campari is the one ingredient that nearly all negronis have in common, but each spirit will lend its own subtle notes that will impact the overall outcome of the drink. Play around until you zero in on the perfect trio to suit your palate! There’s no shaking involved in the making of a negroni. Just pour the ingredients into a mixing glass or mason jar with ice, give it a good stir, and then strain it into a rocks glass. The orange peel is used as a garnish, but don’t skip it. It actually lends a lot of complexity that you’ll notice while you’re drinking. Its bittersweetness makes a negroni the perfect apéritif (aka pre-dinner drink), traditionally consumed in Italy during the aperitivo hours of 7-9 pm. Although its origins are unclear, it was purportedly invented in Florence, Italy in the early 1900s. The Italian count, Camillo Negroni, is said to have asked for his favorite cocktail, an americano, to be strengthened with gin instead of soda water. The bartender garnished it with an orange peel instead of lemon, and that was the beginning of the famous Negroni!
Campari – this brilliant red-colored apéritif is made from a proprietary blend of herbs and spices, and gives the negroni its classic bittersweet taste! Gin – a mixing-quality, London dry gin such as Beefeater or Tanqueray, is all you need for a Negroni. We usually go for a mid-range priced bottle that isn’t quite sipping quality, but also isn’t bottom of the barrel. Sweet vermouth – a perfect negroni calls for sweet vermouth. It’s sweet and herbal and has a big impact on the overall outcome of this cocktail, so it may be worth it to splurge on a decent bottle such as Carpano Antica Formula. If you can find a locally made sweet vermouth, go for that. But widely available Martini & Rossi or Cinzano work well, too. Orange peel – the orange peel isn’t just for garnish, so don’t skip it! It adds complexity to the drink which you’ll notice with every sip.
1 cup gin 1 cup Campari 1 cup sweet vermouth
Simply add the ingredients to a pitcher and store it in your fridge. At party time, add some ice and start pouring! A few of our favorite Italian main dishes
Easy Baked Lasagna Italian Braised Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives Spicy Chorizo Bolognese
While there are many delicious ways to enjoy it, you can’t beat the beloved classic Negroni.
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