Beautifully bitter, herbaceous and sweet, the deep red Negroni is a must-know classic.
In Ian Fleming’s short tale Risico, James Bond orders the cocktail we’ll be looking at tonight, the Negroni. I was on a plane, flying from Los Angeles to the East Coast when I first read this story. I got a big smile on my face as I recognized elements that were taken from it for the film For Your Eyes Only. I also had my interest piqued in the Negroni. What’s in it? How does it taste? I would find out soon enough.
A mix of three different spirits in equal amounts, the Negroni stands proudly as the well-dressed tipple that it always has been. Gin, sweet vermouth and Campari come together to create a deep red concoction. Equally sweet and bitter, each sip tastes like a sharp bite, both crisp, cold and complex. After I finally tried one for the first time, on my birthday, it fast became one of my top five favorite cocktails.
First appearing in 1919 in Florence, Italy, the drink’s creation is simple enough, and even had witnesses to back up the story that has survived all these years. The Negroni was invented at Caffè Casoni, which today is called Caffè Giacosa. Count Camillo Negroni would come in and order an Americano. But he would ask the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to replace the soda water with gin, giving his libation an extra kick. It caught on quickly in popularity, with other patrons asking for Count Negroni’s drink. Soon enough, it was simply called the Negroni.
What Is Campari?
Campari is a must in your Negroni. I always keep a bottle at my home bar. Sweet, bitter and intense, this red Italian liqueur brings notes of clove and cinnamon as well as zesty citrus flavors. This is one of those alcohols that you either take to immediately or find too intense. But when mixed in the right cocktail, it cuts through without overwhelming everything else, allowing you to enjoy its complexity in a more palatable way.
What is the best Gin and Vermouth to Use in a Negroni?
Go for a bottle of Dolin sweet vermouth or Antica Formula. They’re a little pricier than the standard bottles you see available, and totally worth it. For the gin, a strong London Dry’s herbaceous qualities will beautifully balance out and complement the Campari.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 slice orange for garnish
Instructions
- Add the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass.
- Add ice cubes and stir the mixture together for about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with the orange slice and serve immediately.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish is used?
A rocks glass with an orange wedge on its rim awaits your Negroni. Once stirred, pour it in over a large cocktail ice cube.
What can you use in place of Campari?
If you find Campari too much for your taste buds, Aperol is a comparable substitute. Citrusy and still a little bitter, this orange-colored liqueur is much lighter in its flavor, giving you a less intense experience.
Negroni Variations
For such a distinctive tasting concoction, the Negroni has inspired a nice amount of off-shoots. While all have unique flavors and identities, each still retains the core bite that makes this cocktail such a classic. Check these recipes out from Twist & Toast to explore what the Negroni can do.
- White Negroni – A more delicate and amber-hued take on the classic drink.
- Tequila Negroni – A spicier Southwestern spin on the bittersweet beverage.
- Negroni Sbagliato – Prosecco takes the place of gin in this fizzy elixir.
- Americano – The cocktail that inspired the Negroni. Mix Campari, sweet vermouth and top with club soda over ice. Voilà.
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