How to Make the Perfect Negroni: A Classic Cocktail Recipe
In this post, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for the classic Negroni—a bold, bittersweet cocktail that’s equal parts style and substance. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting to explore the world of aperitivos, the Negroni delivers a perfect balance of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth that’s both timeless and surprisingly simple to make.
I walk you through each step of the process, from choosing the right ingredients to achieving the ideal stir and chill. This cocktail isn’t just about taste—it’s about ritual, precision, and the little details that elevate a three-ingredient drink into something unforgettable.
I also share a few variations and tips if you’re looking to experiment while staying true to the spirit of the original. The Negroni has a long history and an unmistakable flavor profile that’s earned it a cult following, and for good reason.
With just a little care and attention, you can craft a bar-quality drink at home that’s perfect for winding down or kicking off an evening with friends. Read on to learn how I make mine, why I use the ingredients I do, and how you can easily make it your own. Let’s raise a glass to a true classic.
What Is a Negroni?
The Negroni is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed by people around the world for over a century. It is a drink that is known for its simplicity and perfect balance of flavors, making it a go-to drink for both casual and sophisticated settings.
The Negroni was invented in the early 1900s by Count Camillo Negroni, an Italian aristocrat who was known for his love of strong drinks. According to the legend, Negroni asked his bartender to make him a stronger version of his favorite drink, the Americano, by replacing the soda water with gin. The bartender added a twist of orange peel to give it a new dimension of flavor, and the Negroni was born.
The classic Negroni recipe calls for equal parts of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, a bitter liqueur made from herbs, fruits, and spices. These ingredients are combined over ice, stirred, and then garnished with a twist of orange peel. The resulting drink is a vibrant red color and has a bitter, sweet, and herbal taste that is both refreshing and complex.
One of the reasons the Negroni has remained so popular over the years is its versatility. Bartenders can adjust the ratios of the ingredients to create variations that suit their taste preferences or to highlight certain flavors. For example, a Negroni with more gin will have a stronger alcohol taste, while one with more Campari will have a more pronounced bitter flavor. Bartenders can also experiment with different types of gin or vermouth to create their unique take on the classic drink.
Another reason for the Negroni’s popularity is its association with Italian culture. Italy is known for its love of good food and drink, and the Negroni is a perfect embodiment of that spirit. It is a drink that is meant to be savored and enjoyed slowly, preferably while enjoying a meal or in the company of friends.
The Negroni has also become a favorite of bartenders and mixologists around the world, who have taken the classic recipe and put their spin on it. Some bartenders have added ingredients like bitters or amaros to give the drink a more complex flavor profile, while others have infused the gin or vermouth with herbs or fruits to create a unique twist on the classic drink.
In recent years, the Negroni has even become a symbol of charity. Every year in June, bars and restaurants around the world participate in Negroni Week, a week-long celebration of the cocktail that raises money for charitable causes. During this week, a portion of the proceeds from every Negroni sold goes to a charity of the bar or restaurant’s choosing.
The Negroni is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time. It is a drink that is simple yet sophisticated, and its versatility has allowed it to remain popular for over a century. Whether you are a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or a casual drinker, the Negroni is a drink that is worth trying at least once. Who knows, it may just become your new favorite cocktail.
Five fun facts about the Negroni:
- The Negroni is named after Count Camillo Negroni, who is said to have invented the drink in Florence, Italy, in the early 1900s. According to legend, he asked his bartender to make his usual Americano cocktail stronger by replacing the soda water with gin.
- The Negroni is traditionally made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, but the ratios can be adjusted to suit personal taste. Some people prefer a stronger Negroni with more gin, while others prefer a sweeter Negroni with more vermouth.
- In 2019, the Negroni celebrated its 100th anniversary, and to commemorate the occasion, the Campari Group launched the Negroni Week charity initiative. The event encourages bars and restaurants worldwide to serve Negroni cocktails and donate a portion of their proceeds to charitable causes.
- The Negroni is a favorite drink of many celebrities, including Anthony Bourdain, Madonna, and Stanley Tucci. In fact, Tucci even wrote a book about the Negroni called “The Negroni: A Love Affair with a Classic Cocktail.”
- The Negroni has inspired many variations and spin-off cocktails, such as the Boulevardier (which replaces the gin with whiskey), the Negroni Sbagliato (which replaces gin with Prosecco), and the White Negroni (which replaces Campari with Suze or Lillet Blanc).
What is an Americano cocktail?
The Americano cocktail is a classic cocktail believed to have originated in Italy in the 1860s. It is a simple drink made by combining equal parts of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water over ice. The resulting drink is light and refreshing, with a bitter-sweet taste perfect for a hot summer day.
The Americano is often referred to as the predecessor to the Negroni, a stronger variation of the drink that replaces soda water with gin. The Americano was first known as the Milano-Torino, as it was believed to have been created in the Caffè Campari in Milan, where Campari was first produced. However, when the drink gained popularity among American tourists in the early 1900s, it became known as the Americano.
The Americano is a great drink for those who enjoy a lighter cocktail that is not too sweet or too strong. The soda water gives the drink a slightly effervescent quality, which makes it perfect for sipping on a hot day. The bitterness of the Campari is balanced out by the sweetness of the vermouth, making it a well-rounded drink that is enjoyed by many.
Variations of the Americano use different types of bitters or vermouth, which can add different flavor profiles to the drink. Some bartenders also like to garnish the Americano with orange peel, which adds a citrusy note to the drink and enhances the aroma.
The Americano is a classic cocktail that many enjoy for its simplicity and refreshing taste. It is a great drink to enjoy on a hot summer day or as a pre-dinner aperitif.
Ernest Hemingway was known to enjoy various alcoholic drinks, but there is no clear evidence to suggest whether or not he specifically enjoyed Negroni cocktails.
However, Hemingway had a strong affinity for Campari, a key ingredient in the Negroni. In his memoir “A Moveable Feast,” Hemingway wrote about his love of drinking Campari and soda at Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy. He described the drink as “the first good Italian vermouth I had ever had” and wrote that he would “drink them all afternoon until it was time to go to Harry’s for dinner.”
Furthermore, Hemingway enjoyed simple, classic cocktails, and the Negroni certainly fits that bill. He may have enjoyed the drink, but no concrete evidence confirms this.
The Negroni
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari to the mixing glass or shaker.
- Stir the ingredients together until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish the drink with a twist of orange peel.
Notes
