Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by David Michael

Negroni

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Perhaps the best known Italian aperitif, the Negroni is a classic cocktail that is more than a pre-dinner drink. These are well suited to any time you want a bracing, refreshing libation.

The Negroni’s story begins in Florence, Italy, in the early 20th century. It was named after Count Camillo Negroni, who requested his Americano cocktail be made stronger by adding gin to the sweet vermouth, Campari, and soda drink. This simple modification birthed the Negroni as we know it today.

Over time the soda was done away with entirely and now the Negroni is one of the tastiest and easiest cocktails to build. It’s equal parts of just 3 ingredients. The interplay of sweet vermouth, Campari, and gin makes for a refreshing cocktail that works as well as an aperitif or a relaxing sip at the end of a day.

Negroni Recipe

1 ounce gin
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1 ounce Campari
Garnish: orange twist

In a mixing glass half filled with ice, combine the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
Stir well.
Strain over ice in an old fashioned glass.
Garnish with orange twist.

Squeeze the orange twist to express some orange oil into the drink. Orange and Campari are a match made in heaven. The tiny amount of orange oil enhances the complexity of the Negroni.

Be sure to check out the Negroni’s close cousins The Boulevardier and The Old Pal.

Browse all of our cocktail recipes in our Cocktail Recipe Index.

Recommended Products for the Negroni

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Riedel Double Old Fashioned Glasses

The perfect glass for a Negroni, I recommend the Riedel Double Rocks Glass. These make building a cocktail super easy as the lines at the bottom actually indicate a perfect 2 ounce pour. I used this in the Negroni photo above.

Riedel Double Old Fashioned Glass Double Rocks Glass

Mixing Glass

Also featured in the photo above, I have been using the Riedel mixing glass for nearly all of my stirred cocktails. It’s a nice heavy glass that holds 22 ounces. Plenty of room to make two drinks at the same time – even doubles.

Riedel Mixing Glass

Japanese Style Jigger by A Bar Above

I’m so happy with my Japanese jigger. There are marks on the inside to get the perfect measure of just about any size. The conical design allows the lines to be clear and well spaced. This heavy duty stainless jigger is also dishwasher safe. Measuring out a Negroni couldn’t be any easier with this.

A Bar Above Premium Japanese Jigger with 8 Measurements Inside - Rolled Lip, Double Jigger for Bartending & Measuring Cocktails - Professional & Heavy-Duty 304 Stainless Steel Cocktail Jigger 1oz/ 2oz

Stainless Bar Spoon by Barfly

I prefer these stainless steel barspoons from Barfly. They are high quality commercial grade. They come in a great selection of finishes, but stainless is what I always go for. Makes stirring your Negroni effortless and elegant.

Stainless Bar Spoon by Barfly

Stainless Julep Strainer by Barfly

I love this julep style strainer. It’s just the right size for the Riedel mixing glass. I have the stainless, but it’s available in several great finishes.

Stainless Julep Strainer by Barfly

White Linen Cocktail Napkins

The perfect finishing touch. I love these classic hemstitched linen napkins. You can never have too many white linen napkins, and these come in an amazing assortment of colors too.

Solino Home Linen Cocktail Napkins 6 x 6 Inch – 100% Pure Linen Fabric White Napkins for Coaster, Parties, Beverage, Dining – Set of 12, Handcrafted from European Flax – Classic Hemstitch

Ceramic Peeler

This Kyocera ceramic peeler is what I use to get the wide strips of orange to garnish the Negroni. It’s really sharp and makes thin orange peels that don’t have any white pith.

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Horizontal Y Peeler

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