![Negroni Variations with orange garnish](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285383-340x227-negroni-variations.jpg)
The Negroni is a bitterly delicious classic cocktail. Most variations usually call for just three ingredients, but even those with a lofty four or five ingredients will still be swirling in a glass in no time at all. If you're looking to upgrade your usual Negroni, continue a tasty twist.
Mezcal Negroni
![Mezcal Negroni cocktail in crystal glasses with orange slice and fresh raw oranges](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285345-340x227-mezcal-negroni.jpg)
A smokey twist on the negroni, the mezcal base adds the perfect level of complexity to the classic.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, mezcal, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange slice.
White Negroni
![White Negroni With Ice and Lemon](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285348-340x227-white-negroni.jpg)
This slightly sweeter take on the classic Negroni isn't white so much as it's a light golden color, but its taste will soon distract you from this.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces gin
- 1 ounce Lillet blanc
- ¾ ounce gentian liqueur
- Ice
- Dehydrated lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, Lillet blanc, and gentian liqueur.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with dehydrated lemon wheel.
Sbagliato Negroni
![Negroni Cocktail Aperitif on Bar counter](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285357-340x227-sbagliato-negroni.jpg)
Don't be fooled by the translation of this drink, which literally means incorrect, but this drink couldn't be more right. This can be served in a Champagne flute or over ice.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce prosecco
- Ice
- Lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill Champagne flute.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled flute.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with lemon ribbon.
Aperol Negroni
![Aperol Negroni With Ice Cubes](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285358-340x227-aperol-negroni.jpg)
If you want a negroni that isn't as bitter as the classic, Aperol offers a gentle bitter orange flavor for an easier sip.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- 1½ ounces Aperol
- 1½ ounces sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, Aperol, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange twist.
Boulevardier
![Boulevardier cocktail Stir with ice, strain, garnish](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285359-340x227-boulevardier.jpg)
Almost as well known as the classic cocktail it's based on, there's nothing more than a simple swap of spirits, from gin to bourbon. Or rye, if that's the right journey for you.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounces bourbon
- 1¼ ounce Campari
- 1¼ ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon peel
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over king cube.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Rum Negroni
![Rum Negroni a refreshing riff on the Negroni cocktail](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285364-340x227-rum-negroni.jpg)
There's no standard name for a rum negroni, as everyone has their own opinion, but a name doesn't matter when it tastes this good.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, dark rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange slice.
Quill: The Absinthe Negroni
![The Absinthe Negroni Cold Refreshing Rum Right Hand Negroni Cocktail](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285375-340x227-the-absinthe-negroni.jpg)
The name on its own doesn't offer any clues to the type of negroni. The absinthe adds a touch of brightness to a typically bitter cocktail.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce absinthe
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add absinthe.
- Rinse to coat the inside of the glass, the discard excess.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange slice.
Summer Negroni
![Summer Negroni decorated with lemon wedges](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285378-340x227-summer-negroni.jpg)
The blackberry and fruit notes turn the bitter negroni into a slightly sweeter and juicier experience. If you can't locate blackberry gin, then a half-ounce of blackberry simple syrup will do the trick.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces blackberry gin
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Fresh whole blackberries on cocktail skewer for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add blackberry gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and simple syrup.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over king cube.
- Garnish with pierced blackberries.
Campfire Negroni
![Campfire Negroni enjoy mezcal's unique smoky flavor](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285377-340x227-campfire-negroni.jpg)
This recipe calls for extra tools and steps, but the end result is well worth the trouble.
Ingredients
- Wood chips
- Smoking gun or appropriate smoking appliance
- 1¼ ounces gin
- 1¼ ounce Campari
- 1¼ ounce sweet vermouth
- ¼ ounce scotch
- Ice
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the smoking gun or appliance according to individual instructions.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and scotch.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Smoke negroni for approximately 10-15 seconds.
- Garnish with orange peel.
Dutch Negroni
![Dutch Negroni with an orange half-wheel or a large orange twist.](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285380-340x227-dutch-negroni.jpg)
Despite countless unique and fun town names, this negroni is simply referred to as the Dutch negroni due to the style of gin.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce genever
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, genever, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over king cube.
- Garnish with lemon ribbon.
Grapefruit Negroni
![Grapefruit Negroni is an easy riff on the original with a reward that outweighs the effort](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std-xs/285381-340x227-grapefruit-negroni.jpg)
The grapefruit negroni plays with the proportions of the classic while adding a splash of bitter yet refreshing grapefruit juice.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounce Campari
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- Ice
- Orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, and grapefruit juice.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange wheel.
One Negroni, Two Negroni, Three Negroni, Four
There's no better problem than not knowing which negroni variation to start with. Whether you go with a different spirit or a smokey flavor, you can enjoy a different style of negroni for any flavor or occasion.