Classic cocktail
Negroni
The perfectly balanced bitter-sweet classic. Equal parts, stirred down, orange peel. Timeless.
Glass
Rocks
Method
Stir
Time
3 min
Difficulty
★★☆
Flavour
Bitter-sweet
ABV
~24%
Ingredients
Gin
25ml
Campari
25ml
Sweet vermouth
25ml
Orange peel
to garnish
Method
1
Add all three spirits to a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
2
Stir for around 30 seconds until well chilled and properly diluted.
3
Strain over a large ice cube into a rocks glass.
4
Express an orange peel over the drink, then drop it in or rest it on the rim.
Flavour profile
The spirits
A London Dry works best here — its juniper-forward character holds up against the bitterness of the Campari. A more floral or contemporary gin can get lost. Gordon’s and Beefeater are reliable choices; Tanqueray adds a bit more weight.
The defining ingredient. An Italian bitter liqueur made from a secret blend of herbs and fruit. Its vivid red colour and assertive bitterness is what makes a Negroni a Negroni — there’s no real substitute, though Aperol will give you a softer, less bitter result.
Adds body, sweetness, and complexity. Martini Rosso is the budget-friendly standard; Cocchi Vermouth di Torino or Carpano Antica Formula will take the drink up a notch. Keep vermouth refrigerated once opened and use within a month.
Variations
Sbagliato
Popular swap
Replace the gin with Prosecco for a lighter, fizzy alternative. Lower ABV, still bitter-sweet. The name means “mistaken” in Italian — legend has it a bartender grabbed the wrong bottle by accident.
Swap: gin → Prosecco (top last, don’t stir)
Boulevardier
Spirit swap
Swap gin for bourbon or rye whiskey and you have a Boulevardier — a richer, darker, more caramel-forward version of the same template. The equal-parts ratio works here too, though some prefer 37.5ml of whiskey to balance the sweetness.
Swap: gin → bourbon or rye
White Negroni
Colour swap
Replace Campari with Suze and sweet vermouth with Lillet Blanc. The result is botanically complex, pale golden, and slightly less bitter than the original — a great warm-weather option.
Swap: Campari → Suze / sweet vermouth → Lillet Blanc
Mezcal Negroni
Smoky twist
Swap gin for mezcal and you get a smokier, earthier take. The smoke doesn’t overwhelm — it plays surprisingly well with Campari’s bitterness. Use a milder mezcal rather than an intensely smoky one to keep things balanced.
Swap: gin → mezcal (Del Maguey Vida works well)
Serving notes
Ice: A single large cube chills without diluting too fast. Avoid cracked or cubed ice in the glass — the drink will water down before you’re halfway through it.
Garnish: Orange peel, expressed and either dropped in or rested on the rim. A wheel or slice works too, but the peel gives you that essential citrus oil on the nose.
Batch friendly: Combine equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a bottle, add around 20% water to account for dilution, and keep in the freezer. Pour straight over ice — no stirring required.
Food pairing: Salty snacks, charcuterie, and strong cheeses all work with the bitterness. The Negroni is a classic aperitivo drink — designed to open the appetite before a meal.