Jazz up your next happy hour with the Negroni cocktail. Its citrusy, herbal, and sweet notes produce a well-rounded drink that glides over the taste buds from the very first sip.

Bright crispy photo of a Negroni in a rocks glass with craft ice and an orange twist.

Looking for a classic Negroni recipe?

The Negroni cocktail is a classic Italian cocktail known for its sweet and bitter notes, similar to an old-fashioned but with herbal notes from the gin instead of bourbon. With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a

Like a Garibaldi cocktail and a Boulevardier cocktail, this drink contains some bitterness of Campari, with the sweetness from vermouth helps to balance things out. The gin adds subtle piney notes, creating a classic cocktail that has become one of one of the most popular cocktails of all time. Take your next cocktail hour up a notch with this great cocktail.

What Is a Negroni Cocktail?

The Negroni history traces its roots back to Florence, Italy, in the early 20th century. Legend has it that Count Camillo Negroni, a regular at the Caffè Casoni, requested a stronger version of his favorite cocktail, the Americano, which typically consisted of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water.

The bartender, Fosco Scarselli, swapped the soda water for gin and garnished the concoction with an orange twist, giving birth to the Negroni we know today. This bold and bitter libation quickly gained popularity and became a staple in cocktail culture, spreading beyond Italy’s borders to become a beloved classic worldwide.

A bright orange negroni on a counter with oranges and a cocktail shaker.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

CLASSIC – A Negroni cocktail recipe is considered classic because it has stood the test of time, maintaining its popularity since its creation in the early 20th century.
EASY – Its simple yet elegant combination of equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth makes it easy to remember and recreate, even for novice mixologists.

Watch 🎥 How to Make a Negroni

What You Need to Make A Negroni Cocktail

Gin – Gin brings the backbone to the Negroni, with its aromatic botanicals adding depth and character to the drink. Use your favorite gin.
Sweet Vermouth – The sweetness of the vermouth balances out the bitterness of the Campari.
Campari – A bittersweet liqueur bringing the signature bitter kick to the Negroni, giving it its distinctive bold flavor and vibrant color.
Orange peel – for garnish.

How to Make a Negroni Cocktail

Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass.
Add ice and stir until chilled.
Add ice to a rocks glass and strain the cocktail over the ice.
Serve with an orange peel.

Hand pouring campari into a cocktail shaker.

Hand pouring gin into a cocktail shaker.

Expert Recipe Tips

Experiment with ratios: While the classic recipe calls for equal parts of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, don’t be afraid to adjust the proportions to suit your taste preferences.
Chill your glassware: For the perfect Negroni experience, chill your glassware in the freezer before serving to keep your cocktail refreshingly cold.
Stir, don’t shake: Stirring the ingredients with ice rather than shaking ensures a smooth and velvety texture while preventing excessive dilution.
Garnish with flair: A citrus twist or orange slice adds a vibrant burst of flavor and aroma to your Negroni.

Negroni in a rocks glass on coasters on a table.

How to Serve a Negroni Cocktail

Serve your Negroni cocktail over a large ice cube or in a chilled old fashioned glass to keep it perfectly cool with just enough dilution. Serve during or after dinner.

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With its bold flavors and that hint of bitterness, it’s just the perfect drink for any occasion, from laid-back hangouts to fancy soirées. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader!

Negroni Cocktail Recipe 🥃

Savor the timeless elegance of a Negroni cocktail – a perfect balance of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, garnished with an orange twist.

5 from 1 vote

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Cocktail Recipes

Italian

Author: Kita

Serves: 1

Equipment

Mixing glass
spoon
strain
rocks glass

Ingredients

▢ 1 oz gin
▢ 1 oz sweet vermouth
▢ 1 oz campari
▢ Orange peel - for garnish

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass.
Add ice and stir until chilled.
Add ice to a rocks glass and strain the cocktail over the ice.
Serve with an orange peel.

Video

Nutrition

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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Recipe FAQs

While gin is the traditional base spirit for a Negroni, you can experiment with other spirits like rum or mezcal for unique flavor profiles.

Absolutely! A classic Negroni recipe calls for equal parts of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. However, feel free to experiment with different ratios to suit your taste preferences. You can also try variations like the Negroni Sbagliato, which substitutes gin with sparkling wine. Another Negroni variation is the white Negroni, which features gin, Suze, and Lillet Blanc. Lastly, there’s the rum Negroni, which replaces the gin with bourbon. You can also explore different types of gin and vermouth for unique flavor profiles.

A Negroni cocktail offers a unique taste experience characterized by its bold, bittersweet flavors. With equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, it strikes a perfect balance between herbal, citrusy, and slightly bitter notes.

Negroni Cocktail