There are only a handful of cocktails you can truly describe as timeless, and the Negroni is one of them. The classic recipe has achieved such widespread acclaim that there is a whole week dedicated to celebrating it. Mixologists playfully tweak and transform the original recipe, but the tried and true remains a staple. But we suspect there are some things you don’t know about this time-tested tipple.
You probably know the basics: the Negroni is an Italian apéritif made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. It’s usually garnished with a twisted orange peel and served on the rocks. The Negroni is a mark of sophistication, beloved across the board for its smooth balance of bitter and sweet flavors.
Or, maybe your sole exposure to this sip is TikTok’s Negroni Sbagliato (with prosecco in it) trend...and you know it’s ‘stunning.’ Either way, we’re here to give you a refreshing take on this ageless apéritif. Here are seven fun facts about the Negroni to invigorate your mixology knowledge.
There are only a handful of cocktails you can truly describe as timeless, and the Negroni is one of them. The Negroni is a mark of sophistication, beloved across the board for its smooth balance of bitter and sweet flavors.
We suspect there are some things you don’t know about this time-tested tipple, but first, let’s go over how to make a classic Negroni. You probably know the basics: the Negroni is an Italian apéritif made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. It’s usually garnished with a twisted orange peel and served on the rocks. Here’s the classic Negroni recipe to keep handy:
The Recipe
1 ounce gin
1 ounce Campari Aperitivo
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Add gin, apertivo and sweet vermouth to a glass with ice. Stir gently and garnish with an orange peel.
The first Negroni was crafted in 1919 in Florence, Italy...yep, she’s over a century old! This iconic cocktail has endured the test of time, becoming a staple sip for thousands along the way. Throughout the century, the Negroni has rightfully earned its reputation as a cocktail darling.
While the origin story of the Negroni involves a bit of folklore, the most widely accepted account features Count Camillo Negroni.
As the legend goes, this Italian aristocrat frequented a Florence bar called Caffé Casoni. His go-to order was an Americano, a cocktail made with sweet vermouth, Campari and soda water. However, he desired a stronger drink with more of a kick, so he asked the bartender to replace the soda water with gin. With just a simple modification, the Negroni was born!
Eager to elevate your mixology knowledge? Discover the difference between Campari and Aperol here.
If you want to sip a piece of history, you can still visit the birthplace of this famed cocktail. Giacosa Café, formerly known as Caffé Casoni, is still serving up classic apéritifs in Florence, Italy. If you find yourself strolling this historic city, make sure to pop in and indulge in a Negroni where it all started.
There’s a secret to making the best Negroni, and it’s probably not what you’re expecting. The trick is sushi rice. Yes, you read that right! The starchy texture of the rice creates a silkier mouthfeel and softens the bitter edge of the Campari, enhancing and harmonizing the flavors of the Negroni.
But don’t worry, you won’t get rice grains stuck in your teeth while sipping a rice-washed Negroni. The technique involves adding a couple tablespoons of uncooked sushi rice to your cocktail, stirring it well, then dumping it out—like the milk-washing process for clarified cocktails. Say hello to smoother, creamier Negronis!
We get it, your first thought when deciding which cocktail to make for dinner probably isn’t, “Which one is going to have the least environmental impact?” But, if you’re someone who likes to incorporate sustainability into all you do, the good news is that the Negroni’s environmental impact is relatively low, producing 206g of CO2e per drink in comparison to the 690g of CO2e created per Piña Colada, according to Alliance Online.
Want to make your Negroni even more environmentally friendly? Use a local gin, like St. Augustine Distillery’s New World Gin.
A Negroni MUST be built, not mixed. And yes, it makes a huge difference.
A proper Negroni should be stirred with ice to slowly bring down the temperature. If you shake it, the ingredients will become too cold and trap the flavors. It also disrupts the ideal balance of bitter to sweet and completely changes the mouthfeel. Sipping this cocktail should be a velvety, bubble-free experience.
Don’t want to go through the hassle of making one yourself? Try this premium ready-to-drink option: Tanqueray Negroni Cocktail. Just pour it over ice and serve!
The Negroni oozes glamor and poise, so it only makes sense that it’s favored by many famous icons and literary figures.
Ernest Hemingway was distinguished as the Negroni’s biggest fan, even referencing the recipe in his novel, Across the River and Into the Trees. Orson Welles also discovered his affinity for the Negroni while filming Black Magic in Rome in 1947, known for his quote, “The bitters are excellent for your health, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other out.” And it doesn’t get classier than Audrey Hepburn, who served Negronis at her Rome house parties while filming Roman Holiday.
If you claim to be a frequent Negroni sipper, then you need to mark your calendar for the best 7 days in the year: Negroni Week.
Originally launched in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine, Negroni Week will be celebrated from September 22-28 this year. Bars and restaurants around the world spend the week celebrating this famed libation and raising money for charitable causes. You can get in on the action by finding a participating venue near you here or mixing up your own at home.
A Negroni with tequila? It’s more likely than you think. Swap the gin for a quality reposado tequila, like Marcado 28, for a smoky Negroni variation. Follow along with Michael Voltaggio himself to learn how to make the delicious cocktail below.
The Recipe
In a mixing glass with ice, add tequila, Campari and sweet vermouth. Stir and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange peel.
Tired of the typical orange flavor, but still want to keep it citrusy? Blood oranges have a distinct hint of raspberry flavor, so a splash of blood orange juice will add a bit of red fruitiness to your cocktail without straying too far from the original recipe.
The Recipe
1 ounce Farmer’s Organic Gin
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Splash of blood orange juice
Blood orange peel
In a mixing glass with ice, add gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and blood orange juice. Stir and strain into glass over fresh ice. Express blood orange peel over the glass and garnish.
Here we have another tequila Negroni recipe, this time using 21SEEDS Valencia Orange-infused tequila. This gin swap plus the addition of a little fresh OJ makes this cocktail more orangey than Florida agriculture. Definitely don’t brush your teeth before having this one.
The Recipe
2 ounces 21SEEDS Valencia Orange Tequila
½ ounce Campari Aperitivo
½ ounce sweet vermouth
½ ounce fresh orange juice
Orange rind
In a glass with ice, stir tequila, Campari, vermouth and orange juice until chilled. Pour into a new glass with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange rind.
Are you someone who wants your cocktails absolutely bone dry, no hints of sweetness? Swap the sweet vermouth for Antica Formula vermouth, an elegant, herbal vermouth with notes of figs, dried cherries, vanilla bean and orange peel.
The Recipe
1 ounce Antica Formula
1 ounce gin
1 ounce bitter aperitif
Combine all liquid ingredients into a glass filled with ice. Stir gently, until chilled. Strain into a fresh glass with ice. Garnish with a slice of orange or orange twist.
