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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    The Classic Negroni

    Published: Jun 16, 2020 · Modified: Jun 16, 2020 by Michelle Ferrand ·This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Classic Negroni
    The Negroni is bitter gin based coctkail that is so easy to make!
    Jump to Recipe Leave a Comment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    5 from 1 vote
    Close-up of a Negroni in a glass with an orange peel

    The depths of flavors and aromatic qualities of a Classic Negroni are irresistible. Next time you’re treating your guests to something special, serve up a few glasses of this iconic cocktail!

    Simple and bitter in the best way

    Turn up the music and lay out the charcuterie, it’s time to make a classic cocktail.

    If you’ve never had a chance to try a Negroni, you’re in luck! It’s a super-simple cocktail that is refreshingly dry and bitter. It’s my current favorite drink and pairs perfectly with a bubble bath.

    2 glasses of bright orange Negronis on a white counter

    This iconic cocktail has equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. It showcases an elegant ruby red color, which looks divine next to a twist of orange citrus peel. Next time you make one, mix it up with different liquor brands to find your perfect flavor balance.

    The Negroni even has its own week! Make sure to mark next year’s Negroni Week on your calendar. All week long, bars and restaurants around the world will celebrate the cocktail while raising money for a variety of charities.

    Similar to the Americano cocktail

    The Negroni was born in Florence, Italy when a stronger version of an Americano cocktail was requested by Count Camillo at Caffè Casoni in 1919. While it’s similar to a Negroni, an Americano is traditionally made with equal parts vermouth, Campari, and soda water. When the soda water was replaced with gin, the Negroni was born!

    Close-up of a Negroni in a glass with an orange peel

    Ingredients

    The ingredients in a Negroni are dry and bitter. If you’re not a fan of sugary or sweet drinks, this is the cocktail for you! All you need are 3 practical ingredients: gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.

    The gin

    The best gin for a Negroni is whichever you prefer. Seriously! The brand you use in your gin and tonics will work just as well in a Negroni. 

    Sweet vs. dry vermouth

    The two types of vermouth, sweet and dry, have notable differences. Sweet vermouth is the best option for Negronis because it contains more sugar, has an earthy flavor, and a darker color. These qualities complement the dry gin flavor and red, herby Campari.

    You can make a Negroni using dry vermouth if that’s what you have at home! The result will be much more dry and aromatic.

    Bottles of sweet vermouth, gin, Campari, and a peeled orange.

    A note on gin and vermouth:

    Mix it up to find your favorite combination! Try different brands, combinations, or mixtures to find your perfect pairing. My favorite Negroni is made with the botanist gin and Cocchi Torino sweet vermouth, making for a well-balanced cocktail that isn’t too bitter, sweet, or strong.

    Ruby red Campari

    Campari is enjoyed as a sophisticated aperitif on its own. The crimson red liqueur is made with the infusion of fruit, herbs, alcohol, and water, giving it a bitter and herby flavor. A slice of citrus is a Campari cocktails best friend!

    If you don’t have Campari at home, make a white Negroni instead. This twist on the classic cocktail is made with gin, Lillet Blanc, and Suze liqueur. Stir equal parts together and garnish with a lemon twist.

    Only two steps to make it

    Negronis are traditionally stirred, not shaken. Use a mixing glass, bar spoon, and big blocks of ice cubes so they don’t melt as quickly. I would recommend purchasing a silicone ice mold if you’re going to make Negronis over and over again.

    Negroni being made in a mixing glass with a spoon and bottles of liquor on the side

    Step 1: Stir all ingredients and ice together in a cocktail mixing glass for 30 seconds

    Negroni in a clear rocks glass with a large ice cube

    Step 2: Pour over ice and garnish with an orange twist. Twist the orange peel over top of the negroni for notes of zesty citrus.

    Negronis a traditionally stirred, not shaken. Why? This will properly dilute the liquor and makes the cocktail more enjoyable to drink.

    Two negronis in glasses and a mixing glass being made

    Make it ahead of time

    Pour a large batch of Negroni ingredients in a glass bottle, add ½ ounce water per serving, and freeze overnight to make them ahead of time. This way, the cocktail is pre-chilled and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Serve in a glass with ice, give it a quick stir, and pop in an orange peel!

    Make a batch asap!

    What are you waiting for? Go grab the ingredients and make this awesome recipe next time you want to serve something new to your friends!

    Close-up of a Negroni in a glass with an orange peel

    Classic Negroni

    The Negroni is bitter gin based coctkail that is so easy to make!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Rate Pin
    Author: Michelle Ferrand
    Course: cocktail
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Makes: 2

    Equipment

    cocktail strainer
    mixing glass
    bar spoon

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces gin
    • 2 ounces sweet vermouth
    • 2 ounces Campari
    • orange twist to garnish

    Instructions

    • Stir all ingredients and ice together in a cocktail mixing glass for 30 seconds.
    • Pour over ice and garnish with an orange twist.
    Did you make this recipe?Share a pic and tag @cupofzest and use #cupofzest so I can see it!

    Watch the Video!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1mg

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    Comments

    1. Anthony Doherty says

      October 17, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      The Classic Negroni is a favorite of mine. My variation, the Cremona, substitutes brandy for the gin (Korbel works very well), and uses about 3/4 oz. red vermouth and 1/2 oz. Campari. It's named for the Italian city where the great violin maker Stradivarius worked. I once saw a symphony orchestra rehearsing on a stage where the lighting technician was setting lighting cues. One was a blend of white and red lights, which made all the string instruments glow with the exact beautiful color of the Cremona cocktail.

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        October 25, 2021 at 10:34 am

        That variation sounds amazing. I love the story too. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply

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